Justin Timberlake Song-Inspired Cocktails for Halftime
This Sunday, February 4th is another Super Bowl, which will be played between the Philadelphia Eagles and the New England Patriots. The football game itself could either be a nail-biter or a complete snooze - the passionate fan rivalry is really what has the potential to cause the majority of the acrimony between the opposing teams. Good luck to the team that runs the most bases or whatever. Besides the commercials, the only reason I plan to tune in is the halftime show starring Justin Timberlake.
Besides, being, well, Justin Timberlake, it’s an intriguing choice considering the cheeky shenanigans he notoriously engaged in while performing with Janet Jackson in 2004. But this talented individual has a new album, Man of the Woods, to promote. He also obviously some very persuasive representation if the Super Bowl committee is giving him another chance to perform live for one of the biggest TV audiences of the year.
Alcohol Professor has done the bit where we represent the rival teams in alcoholic form in our past game event coverage, and even tell you which beer to put in your chili. The reality is most of the at home or bar-going audience will be perfectly content, and rightfully so, drinking Sam Adams or Victory beer. However, I think a Justin Timberlake show is worth a little extra cocktail-mixing effort to enjoy the halftime spectacle - have fun and get grooving with these drinks inspired by some of these greatest hits!
Suit and Tie
Love is swinging in the air tonight! Let me show you a few things about love, friends. Here’s an agave variation of the classic Tuxedo cocktail. (He’s even pouring some out in the video.)
2 oz tequila blanco (Justin’s own Sauza 901, natch!)
1 oz dry Oloroso sherry
Dash or two of orange or grapefruit bitters
Stir all ingredients with ice until well chilled. Strain into a chilled coupe glass. Wanna see how to do this, hun? Here’s how to make the Tuxedo No. 2.
Rock Your Body
This tiki-inspired concoction by Joshua Campbell of Leyenda is like a full body workout for your palate - hitting all the sweet/spicy/tangy/herbal notes. Dance with me!
3 dashes absinthe (choose a clean, classic style like Distillery 031 Ancestors Absinthe, gold medal winner in the 2017 NY International Spirits Competition)
1 tsp overproof Jamaican rum, such as Hampden Estate Rum Fire
1 oz verjus (juice from unripened grapes, can be found at specialty food stores and online)
1.5 oz Santa Teresa rum
1 tsp cinnamon syrup
.25 oz pineapple syrup
Shake all ingredients with ice. Strain into a rocks/Old Fashioned glass over fresh ice. Garnish with LED ice cubes (optional). Pass to the left, then sail to the right.
SexyBack
.75 oz bourbon
.75 oz lightly smoky mezcal joven, such as Pelotón de la Muerte
.5 oz sweet vermouth
1 bar spoon Cherry Heering liqueur
1 dash each Peychaud’s and Angostura bitters
Garnish: cocktail cherry
Stir all ingredients with ice until well chilled. Strain into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with cocktail cherry. Go ‘head, be gone with it!
Cry Me a River
1.5 oz dry gin or unflavored vodka
.25 oz Crème de Cassis (I used LeJay, silver medal winner 2017 NYISC)
.25 oz fresh grapefruit juice
Bar spoon simple syrup
Garnish: 2 or 3 granules of coarse sea salt or fleur de sel
Baby, go on and just… shake all ingredients except salt with ice. This can be served up or on the rocks, so if up, strain into a chilled coupe glass. If on the rocks, into a rocks/Old Fashioned glass with fresh ice. Add the salt on top.
The damage is done, so I guess I’ll be leaving.