Patch Picks: Top 5 Thematic Cocktails for Your Oscars Party

It's that time of year again! Time to tune in and find out what a bunch of random strangers deem to be the best movie of the year. In my house, "Yogi Bear" is taking top honors, but for the rest of the world, the choices will likely be a little less...Yogi Bear-ish.

So, to go with the very adult list of Best Picture nominees, here's a very adult list of beverages to sip while watching the Oscars:

1. "Black Swan" lover's drink: Black Russian/White Russian

This one is sort of a gimmie. Russian plus black and white equals one of the most intense movies of the year. Just don't put so much vodka in yours that you start to hallucinate.

• White Russian
  • 1 1/2 oz vodka
  • 3/4 oz Kahlua
  • 3/4 oz cream

• Black Russian
  • 1 oz vodka
  • 1 3/4 oz coffee liquor

1. To prepare: serve over ice (optional). Mix and enjoy.

2. Want "Winter's Bone" to win? Try: Winter's Frost

This one isn't just wintry. The addition of white chocolate liqueur makes it opaque and ivory, hitting both the winter and the bone components.

• Winter Frost
  • 1 oz TY KU Sake
  • 1 oz TY KU Soju
  • 1/2 oz white chocolate liqueur
  • 1 tsp vanilla syrup

3. Rooting for "The Fighter?" Try: Irish Punch

Sibling issues and boxing in "The Fighter" go together like whiskey and Drambuie in this very Irish drink. If this were a Jeopardy round, it would be called "Things that will knock you out."

• Irish Punch
  • 8 ounces Bushmills Irish whiskey
  • 2 ounces Drambuie
  • 4 ounces sour mix, or 2 ounces lemon juice and 2 ounces simple syrup
  • 3 ounces honey
  • 1 1/2 c water
  • 4-5 dashes Angostura bitters

1. To prepare: Combine all the ingredients in a pot on the stove and heat while stirring constantly. Serve in big mugs. 

4. Are you part of "The Social Network" fan club? Try an Appletini

When a drink figures this prominently in a story line, you have to include it. No matter how disgustingly sweet and brightly colored it may be.

• Appletini
  • 2 oz vodka
  • 1 oz green apple schnapps

1. To prepare: Mix ingredients together in a martini shaker with ice and strain into a glass. Serve with an apple slice and billions of dollars.

5. Partial to "The King's Speech?" Try a Manhattan

It is, of course, known as the king of cocktails. And if made properly, it can be strong enough to make you stutter.

• Manhattan
  • 2 oz rye whiskey
  • 1/2 oz sweet vermouth
  • 2-3 dashes Angostura bitters
  • maraschino cherry for garnish

1. To prepare: Mix all the ingredients together over ice and serve. Attempt to hold intelligent conversation. Fail!

Of course, we here at Patch remind you to not drink and drive. We don't want to write about you the next day in the police blotter.