2017 Tony Awards Cocktails

I know that the Tony awards ceremony isn't until June 11th, but sometimes themed cocktails take some planning ahead (unlike my usual cocktail blogs, some of these recipes call for less familiar ingredients that you might not have on hand). You might even want to try out a few of these cocktails ahead of time to determine your favorite.

A Doll's House, Part 2
This show is a sequel to Henrik Ibsen's play, which ends with Nora walking out the door. Part 2 opens with her walking back in the same door. So what better cocktail to pair with it than Ibsen's Door? 

In a cocktail shaker with ice, combine 1-1/2 oz. gin, 3/4 oz. Amaro (or Campari), 1/2 oz. creme de cacao, and 1/2 oz. lemon juice. Shake well and strain into a chilled martini glass. 

Oslo
Since this play is all about the signing of a treaty, its signature cocktail is named after a treaty: The Elysee Treaty. 

Combine 4 parts cognac or brandy, 2 parts Jagermeister, 1 part simple syrup, and a few dashes of Angostura orange bitters in a cocktail shaker over ice and shake until well chilled. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a twist of orange peel. 

Come From Away
This play takes place in Newfoundland and is associated with air travel, which always makes me think of coffee, so its designated cocktail is the Newfoundland Night Cap - most authentic when made with Newfie Screech rum, but I won't tell if you use whatever rum you have on hand.

Place 1-1/2 tsp brown sugar in a coffee cup and pour 1-1/4 oz. rum over it. Fill with black coffee and top with whipped cream.

Dear Evan Hansen
Since the characters in this show are mainly high-schoolers, the "cocktail" associated with it is actually a mocktail: Ginger Peach Soda. 

In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, bring 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup sugar, and 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger to a gentle simmer, stirring often, until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat, cover, and allow to steep for half an hour, then strain through a fine sieve to remove ginger, pressing with the back of a spoon to extract flavor. Refrigerate in a covered container until ready to use. Cut half a peach into slices and muddle in a large glass. Pour half a tablespoon of ginger syrup over peaches. Add ice and top off with seltzer. Stir well and garnish with mint leaves. 

Groundhog Day the Musical
Believe it or not, there is actually a cocktail called the Groundhog Day, which was apparently inspired by the Bill Murray film which served as the basis for this show. It's just about the simplest cocktail you could ever find. 

Fill a tumbler with ice and sweet vermouth. Garnish with a lemon twist. That's it!

Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812
When I think of this musical, I think Russia, so I think vodka. But then I think comet, and I think Fireball. You really can't mix vodka and Fireball, since vodka is flavorless and will only serve to dilute the whiskey. So instead, we'll pair this show with a cocktail called the Devil's Advocate, which includes schnapps, which is nearly as apropos as vodka. (Note: There are a number of cocktails called the Devil's Advocate, but none with such appropriate ingredients as this one.)

Combine equal parts Fireball whiskey, spiced rum, and apple schnapps in a cocktail shaker over ice and strain into a lowball glass filled with ice, then top with 7-Up or Sprite. 

August Wilson's Jitney
There are plenty of "taxi" cocktails (Island Taxi, Tijuana taxi, etc.), but the "classic" Taxi seemed most appropriate here. 

In a cocktail shaker with ice, combine 5 parts gin, 5 parts dry vermouth, 1 part lime juice, and 1 part pastis (or Sambuca, or any other anise-flavored liqueur). Shake gently and strain into a cocktail glass. 

Lillian Hellman's The Little Foxes
Southern equals bourbon, so when I found a recipe for a bourbon-based cocktail called the Fox River, I knew I'd found the right cocktail for this show. 

Combine 4 oz bourbon with 1/4 ounce dark creme de cacao and 5 (yes, 5!) dashes of Angostura bitters in a cocktail shaker over ice. Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass. 

Falsettos
There are lots of drinks with the word "false" in them: false whiskey sour, false king, false idol, false start. But somehow the False God seemed most appropriate for this show.

In a cocktail shaker with ice, combine 1/2 oz. rum, 1 oz. coconut rum, and 1 oz. blue curacao and shake gently. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and top with a splash of grenadine. 

Hello, Dolly!
There is a cocktail named for this show, created for a cocktail challenge in 2016: The Hello, Dolly. 

In a cocktail shaker with ice, combine 1-1/2 oz. gin, 1/2 cherry brandy, 1/3 oz. sweet vermouth, 2 dashes lemon bitters, and 2 dashes orange bitters. Shake gently and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.