Indulge in a cool classic

 

The holidays encourage indulgence, a seasonal pass card to say yes to pleasures you may say no to the rest of the year. Take a luscious cream cocktail – rich and heady, made to be sipped and savoured, these 1960 classics are making a comeback, says Natalie Bovis-Nelsen, editor of TheLiquidMuse.com. The California-based drinks trend-watcher says she's delighted to see drinks from the Mad Men era like the choco-nutty Pink Squirrel, smooth coffee-flavoured White Russian and minty Grasshopper showing up on hip cocktail menus.

"Cream drinks aredefinitely making a comeback," she says.

And then there's the Brandy Alexander. The sweet and lush chocolate and cream drink gets a boost from a shot of brandy, and a grating of fresh nutmeg on the top makes it a seasonal favourite. But heed the words Feist sings in the lovelorn song named for the cocktail: It "goes down easy" and "always gets me into trouble."

Brandy Alexander

fresh ice

1 1/2 oz brandy

1 oz dark creme de cacao

1 oz cream

freshly grated nutmeg

Add first four ingredient to a cocktail shaker. Shake and strain into a cocktail glass. Top with grated nutmeg to taste. Makes 1 drink.

Linda Barnard