Jeanne Benedict - Drinks

The cool drink is accented with little Mandarin oranges.

Hollywood's favorite cocktail has questionable origins. Some say that the Martini was invented during the gold rush period when a miner struck it rich in Martinez, CA and celebrated at a local bar by ordering the house special, a Martini. Others argue that the cocktail was first served at the Knickerbocker Hotel in San Francisco, CA around the same time period. Or perhaps the cocktail got its name from Martini & Rossi Dry Vermouth, one of two ingredients in the traditional drink that has been around since 1887. No matter how you like it, shaken or stirred, in order for the drink to be a Martini it must be served in the iconic glass.

True or false: the Screwdriver was invented by construction workers who wanted to add a little kick to their morning nip, so they secretly added vodka to cans of orange juice and stirred it up with their screwdrivers. Many believe this tale to be true! Fortunately the cocktail found its way out of construction sites and into watering holes.

The Cosmopolitan is certainly the most contemporary drink out of all the cocktails included in this collection. Many attribute its creation to John Caine, a Midwestern man who traveled to San Francisco and popularized his version of the Cosmo in 1987. Apparently a man named Toby Cecchini has a similar story around the same time frame, but he served his Cosmos in Manhattan.It is important to note that Mr. Boston's 50th Anniversary Official Bartender's Guide published in 1984 makes no mention of the Cosmopolitan cocktail.The Cosmopolitan had little press until it became the signature sip of the ladies on the hit TV show "Sex in the City" and exploded in popularity.

Although many believe that Ernest Hemingway is the person we have to thank for the Margarita, there is a lot of evidence that points to the contrary.  The earliest mention of a cocktail specifically named Margarita was in 1953 in Esquire magazine, which describes how to make this south-of-the-border quencher.  Enjoy a frosty blended Margarita on a summer day or a cocktail on the rocks with a salty rim using this recipe.

Although a Gin and Tonic is as straightforward as it gets, the fragrant juniper berries flavoring this bar staple make it one of America's most requested cocktails.  Many believe that the Gin and Tonic rose to fame during the prohibition era in the 1920's when the sale of alcohol was illegal and bathtub gin was all the rage!  However, the drink was actually used as early as the late 1700's for medicinal purposes as quinine, or tonic water, and helped to prevent malaria.

Offer a holiday brew by mixing pitchers of beer with green food coloring, and serve bottles of Guinness as well for the connoisseurs.

Both refreshing and festive, this sparkler is perfect for the holidays with its red raspberry accents.

This Champagne cocktail is a twist on the classic Mimosa.

Bailey's is the quintessential holiday liqueur. Create a vessel worthy of this caramel libation by dipping the rim of a Martini glass in melted chocolate and then dressing it up with chocolate sprinkles.