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Curiocity: Mike's Mix — The Tuxedo & The Red Carpet

Every Friday, Mike Augustyniak picks up a new cocktail recipe from a local mixologist. Throughout February, Mike's learning some cocktail recipes from Nicollet Island Inn's bartender Troy Jurgens. This week's selections will provide the perfect accompaniment to your Oscar party. And one's even safe for the kids.

The Tuxedo

Ingredients
1.5 oz. Grey Goose Vodka
0.75 oz. Saint Germaine
0.5 oz. Benedictine
0.5 oz. Creme de Cassis

Directions
Pour vodka, Saint Germaine and Benedictine into cocktail shaker with ice cubes and shake. Strain into chilled martini glass. Float creme de cassis over shaken mixture. The creme de cassis will only float a little because it is much denser than the other components. However there should be a nice gold layer and then a dark purple or black layer at the bottom giving the drink both the colors of the award and the darkness of the traditional tuxedo.

Taste Test
As with any layered drink, this one will taste a little different with each sip (unless you decide to stir it up, which is your right!). If you choose to drink the layered version, expect a sweet finish as you get to the bottom of the glass.

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The Red Carpet

Ingredients
1.5 oz. sour mix
splash of Roses Lime Juice
0.5 oz. grenadine
soda water

Directions
Pour sour mix and Rose's Lime into a cocktail shaker with ice cubes and shake. Strain into a martini glass. Fill the glass with soda water, leaving ½" of space from the top of the glass. Pour grenadine over a spoon to float it to the bottom of the glass. Garnish with a lemon wheel and/or cherry.

Taste Test
Bartender Troy Jurgens is no fan of the "sugar-bomb," which is what he calls most of the super-sweet non-alcoholic drinks. The base of this one is sour mix (sometimes called sweet & sour mix), which is cut with some soda water, and passes Troy's test. If you're the designated driver to an Oscar party, The Red Carpet is a little more fun than a cola, and is a modern version of the Shirley Temple that can even be shared with the kids.

About Nicollet Island Inn
"At the Nicollet Island Inn, we raise the essence of a traditional inn to new levels—combining the classic and the modern to produce a truly intimate hotel, restaurant, bar, and banquet destination," says their website. "The Nicollet Island Inn's award-winning restaurant is the best combination of food, atmosphere and view in the Twin Cities."

To find more recipes from Mike's Mix, click here.

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