The 2016 Grammys are here, and we all have opinions on who we want to take home the top prize, album of the year. Whether you're a devoted Taylor Swift [1] fan or jumping on the Chris Stapleton bandwagon, we have the perfect cocktail to pair with each of the album nominees.
Try the recipes out at home while sampling each album, or serve them up at your Grammy viewing party. Your guests can declare their loyalties based on their drink of choice, or — in the interest of fairness — simply taste them all!
Sound & Color, The Alabama Shakes
This Southern sidecar calls for a dash of creme de cassis to give it that rich color. Oh, and it should be shaken. Obviously.
- 2 ounces cognac
- 1/2 ounce lemon juice
- 3/4 ounce creme de cassis
- Ice
- Fresh blackberries, to garnish
- Fresh mint sprigs, to garnish
Shake all the ingredients together and pour into a glass with ice. Garnish with blackberries and mint.
1989, Taylor Swift
This sweet cosmopolitan cocktail is the liquid embodiment of that red-lipped classic thing that you like.
- Ice
- 1 1/2 ounces vodka
- 1/2 ounce triple sec
- 1/2 ounce grenadine
- 1 ounce pomegranate juice
- 1 lemon twist
In an ice-filled shaker, combine ingredients, shake, and strain into a martini glass to serve. Garnish with a lemon twist.
Beauty Behind the Madness, The Weeknd
Made from a mad mix of flavors, this cocktail is dangerously delicious. It might taste sweet, but be careful: it's stronger than it looks.
- 1 1/2 ounces white rum
- 3/4 ounce Amaretto
- 1 1/2 ounces orange juice
- 1 1/2 ounces cranberry juice
- Ice
- Orange slices, for garnish
- Lemon slices, for garnish
Build this cocktail in a serving glass filled with ice, give it a quick stir, and garnish with oranges and lemon.
Traveller, Chris Stapleton
Given the track list of this album, the natural choice is obviously a Tennessee whiskey-based cocktail.
- 2 ounces Jack Daniels Honey
- 3/4 ounce ginger syrup [2]
- Ice
- Fresh rosemary sprigs, for garnish
Pour over ice and garnish with a sprig of rosemary.
To Pimp a Butterfly, Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick's album is elusive and complex, with strong jazz influences. Pair it with a smoky version of this jazz-age classic, the Manhattan.
- Loose-leaf tea
- 2 ounces rye whiskey
- 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup
- 2 dashes of Angostura bitters
- Ice
On a kitchen pan over medium heat, cook tea until it smokes. Transfer it to the top of a mason jar. Place glass atop smoking tea leaves. Meanwhile stir together whiskey, maple syrup, and bitters in an ice-filled mixing pitcher. Uncover glass and strain cocktail into smoke-filled glass.