Your WhiskyCritic Oscar Night Cocktail Menu

The 86th annual Academy Awards occur this weekend and while you can’t be there on the red carpet, you can at least consume cocktails as if you were there. The official champagne is the Champagne Thierot Brut from Reims and that’s for toasting the winners. Johnnie Walker is the official Scotch whisky of the Oscars and, more specifically, the Blue and Platinum varieties. But look, the envelope containing the best Oscar cocktails has arrived in the hands of Anne Hathaway and the winners are…

Best Cocktail – Blood and Sand – This is a no-brainer. The cherry brandy [blood] and whisky [sand] is the signature cocktail of any Academy Award soiree as it was invented for a Rudolph Valentino film when the Oscars were in their infancy.

Best Cocktail In A Supporting Role – Vodka Martini. Preferably shaken, not stirred. The Oscars actually will be touting a special martini for the ladies this year, the Coco Light Martini, consisting of Ciroc vodka, coconut water, pineapple juice and lime juice.

Best Cocktail In A Non-Supporting Role – The Glamour Shot. This is a cocktail specially created for this year’s awards that will contain Bailey’s Vanilla Cinnamon, Goldschlager Cinnamon Schnapps and edible gold flakes sprinkled in and around the cocktail. [You may substitute edible pyrite for your party’s purposes].

Best Whisky – Johnnie Walker Blue or Platinum, of course.

Best Cognac – Ditch the Hennessey tonight and go with the American Hustle – Cognac Park VSOP.

Best Beer – This is a toughie since beer is not normally associated with the swanky Oscars, but if you have to make the tough call on this liquid, make it golden brown. Make it Chaco Canyon Honey Gold from Empyrean Brewery in Nebraska in honor of that film’s nomination.

The 86th annual Academy Awards are being handed out beginning at 5pm on Sunday, March 2, 2014 – but your party starts before that.