A Conscious Feast by Nicole Aloni

photo Manny Rodriguez

Happy Saturday Night (oops, Sunday morning).  I’ve decided I’ll try to post at least one cocktail recipe each weekend. Between writing a cocktail book and many magazine articles on the subect, I’ve got some pretty snazzy quaffs to share with you. So let’s get the party started.

As to how cocktails can fit into a conscious lifestyle, there are a few choices you can make that will give you green points behind the bar.  For one thing, you can go local; not all vodka or gin has to be imported from Russia or England any more. There are unique American producers like Aviation gin and Square One Vodka producing top notch spirits. There are even organic  American bottlings like the gin and vodka from CapRock. Pama pomegranate liqueur from Texas is another wonderful American contribution to the bar scene.

Brown spirits (bourbon, whiskey, etc.) have always had strong American production, so you can feel good about buying American here. But who are we kidding? No matter who has distilled it, the feel good is mainly in the glass. A fizzy, bitter Negroni, or a complex cocktail like this Espresso Martini, will definitely make you feel happier about the thoughtful way you’re trying to live.

And when you entertain, a single special cocktail like this one, offered when your friends arrive, sets the scene for a special evening—even if everyone ultimately switches to wine…or water.