You've planned your menu. You've done your shopping. You've ordered the turkey. You're baking breads. There's one more detail yet to plan: the booze. Sure you can buy a mixed case of wine or a couple of cases of craft beers. Yet there's something to be said about liquoring up the guests. After the jump, here's a quick list of cocktail for every character around your table.
The Diplomat
With vermouth making a quiet comeback, this combination of sweet and dry is for those whose role at the table corresponds with the name. Sugared up with cherry juice, it's a vintage, low brow number for sure.
The Harvey Wallbanger
For suburban swinger types, this concoction of vodka, orange juice, and Galliano hit its peak in the '70's. No Galliano? Go for the Screwdriver:screw, bang, similar connotation.
The Old Fashioned
For your guest who's 25 going on 80 or the cocktail snob among your crew. Just one of these ass kickers --bourbon, sugar, Angostura bitters, and a muddled cherry and orange slice with lemon zest-- takes an edge off. And it's fun to muddle. Who doesn't like to smash fruit with a mini bat?
The Negroni
The cocktail for an urbanite, this concoction of Campari, sweet vermouth, and gin will make her feel at home, since it's so everywhere right now.
The Zombie
For tiki cocktail fans, your beachcomber friend, or your vacuous zombie guest, this cocktail is a high maintenance drink created with a ton of rum, brandy, a bunch of juices, and lots of garnishes. It's a delicious labor of love.
The White Russian
For your pot smoking uncle with a sweet tooth and a penchant for The Dude, this cream, Kahula, and vodka cocktail goes down too easy.
The Pink Lady
A cocktail for your very girly guest who loves flips and fizzes. Minus the grenadine, I'd love this cocktail of gin, cream and egg whites.
The Martini
For your James Bondian guest. We don't have to go over this one, do we? When it comes to martinis, I listen to my mother: Martinis are like boobs. One is too few, three is too many.
Making cocktails for each guest too laborious? Whip up this crowd-pleasing variation on Rhum punch from the 1895 manual, Modern American Drinks.
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