Patch Picks: Top 5 Thematic Cocktails for Your Oscar Party

It's that time again. Time to sit and see what a bunch of random strangers deem the best movie of the year. In my house Yogi Bear is taking top honors, but for the rest of the world, the choices are a little less...Yogi Bear.

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 lovers 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 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: mix and enjoy

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

This one isn't just wintery. The addition of white chocolate liquor 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 sugar-free vanilla syrup

3. Rooting for The Fighter? Try: Irish Punch

Sibling issues and boxing. Whiskey and Drambuie. If this was 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

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

4. Are you part of the Social Network Fanclub? Try: An Appletini

When a drink figures this prominently to 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

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 Upper Saucon Patch remind you to not drink and drive. We don't want to write about you the next day in the police blotter.