The Post: Kir
A cover-up that spanned four U.S. Presidents pushed the country's first female newspaper publisher and a hard-driving editor to join an unprecedented battle between the press and the government.
Main character Katherine "Kay" Graham was known for serving guests at her Martha's Vineyard summer home simple drinks such as wine or Kir. Although there are many variations of the basic Kir that substitute other ingredients for the white wine (champagne for a Kir Royale, red wine for a Cardinal, Normand or Breton cider for a Kir Normand or a Kir Breton, respectively, etc.), the classic Kir seems most appropriate here. Well, unless The Post takes home the Oscar, in which case we should probably step it up to a Kir Royale.
Pour 1/4 ounce creme de cassis into a wine glass. Slowly add 2-1/4 ounces dry white wine. Garnish with a fresh raspberry, if desired.
For a related mocktail, combine a splash of cran-grape juice with ginger ale and garnish with a fresh raspberry or cranberries.
Lady Bird: Lady Bird
In 2002, an artistically inclined seventeen-year-old girl comes of age in Sacramento, California.
The Lady Bird cocktail is something of an artistic variation on a Brandy Alexander. The creative twist is not only the addition of creme de cassis, but also the trick of dotting on the chocolate powder to look like the spots of a ladybird beetle.
To a cocktail shaker with ice, add 1 ounce brandy, 1-1/2 ounces creme de cassis, and 1 ounce half and half. Shake until chilled and frothy, then pour into a chilled martini glass. Use chocolate powder to form spots on the surface.
For a similar mocktail, substitute 4 ounces milk, a generous dollop of strawberry milk flavoring (liquid or powder), a smaller dollop of chocolate milk flavoring (liquid or powder), and a few drops of brandy extract for the ingredients above.
Get Out: Black and White Martini
It's time for a young African-American to meet with his white girlfriend's parents for a weekend in their secluded estate in the woods, but before long, the friendly and polite ambiance will give way to a nightmare.
More of a thriller than a true horror film, the relationship of black vs. white is a main theme of this movie. The black and white martini balances black and clear liquors, and - like the film - throws in an unexpected twist, in this case, a licorice garnish.
In a cocktail shaker over ice, combine 3 parts vanilla vodka and 1 part dark creme de cacao. Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass, then garnish with black and white licorice candy, chopped.
For a mocktail with a similar flavor profile, place a small spoonful of chocolate milk powder in a rocks glass and stir in a splash of cream soda until chocolate dissolves. Add ice and top with more cream soda.
Dunkirk: Dunkirk 75
Allied soldiers from Belgium, the British Empire and France are surrounded by the German Army, and evacuated during a fierce battle in World War II.
Dunkirk Spirit gin is named after the Battle of Dunkirk, so a cocktail featuring gin seems most appropriate for this film. The Dunkirk 75 is similar to a French 75, but with a splash of grapefruit juice for a bit of tartness.
In a cocktail shaker over ice, combine 2 ounces gin, 1/2 ounce pink grapefruit juice, and 1/2 ounce simple syrup and shake until well chilled. Pour into a champagne flute and top with 5 ounces champagne. Garnish with a lemon twist.
For a non-alcoholic version, omit the gin and substitute ginger ale for the champagne.
Darkest Hour: Churchill Cocktail
During the early days of World War II, the fate of Western Europe hangs on the newly-appointed British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, who must decide whether to negotiate with Adolf Hitler, or fight on against incredible odds.
Bartender Joe Gilmore of the Savoy Hotel in London created this cocktail for Winston Churchill in the 1930s, featuring Churchill's preferred Scotch, Johnnie Walker.
Over ice in a cocktail shaker, combine 3 parts Scotch whisky and 1 part each lime juice, Cointreau (or triple sec), and sweet vermouth. Pour into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a lemon twist.
It's somewhat difficult to come up with an equivalent mocktail for the Churchill, but for a similar flavor profile, try pouring ginger beer over ice and adding a generous splash each of lime juice and orange juice.
The Shape of Water: Blue Mermaid
At a top secret research facility in the 1960s, a lonely janitor forms a unique relationship with an amphibious creature that is being held in captivity.
As exotic as the creature in the film, the Blue Mermaid cocktail is a fizzy variation of the Blue Lagoon.
Fill a tall glass with ice and pour in 4 ounces of cream soda, then top with 2 ounces blue curacao. Garnish with a maraschino cherry and a wedge of pineapple.
For a fun mocktail version, substitute orange soda and a few drops of blue food coloring for the curacao.
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri: Mother of All Dragons
A mother personally challenges the local authorities to solve her daughter's murder when they fail to catch the culprit.
Frances McDormand's character could fairly be described as a mother of all dragons - she refuses to give up on finding and prosecuting her daughter's killer. This fiery red drink with its biting pepper garnish is perfect to represent both the passion and pain her character feels.
In a cocktail shaker over ice, combine 4 ounces cranberry juice, 2 ounces berry (or plain) vodka, 1 ounce simple syrup, and a tablespoon of lime juice and shake well. Strain into a chilled martini glass, float a pinch of finely ground black pepper on the surface, and garnish with a lime wedge.
For a mocktail equivalent, simply omit the vodka.
Phantom Thread: Classic martini
Set in 1950's London, Reynolds Woodcock is a renowned dressmaker whose fastidious life is disrupted by a young, strong-willed woman, Alma, who becomes his muse and lover.
Daniel Day-Lewis' Woodcock continually sips martinis throughout the film, so what better - or more '50s - than a classic martini.
In a cocktail shaker over ice, combine 3 ounces gin, 1/2 ounce dry vermouth, and a dash of orange bitters. Shake until well chilled, then pour into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a lemon twist.
For a similarly classic mocktail, pour lemon seltzer over ice in a rocks glass and stir in a pinch of nutmeg, allspice, or mace. Garnish with a lemon wedge or twist.
Call Me By Your Name: Milano-Torino
In 1980s Italy, a romance blossoms between a seventeen year-old student and the older man hired as his father's research assistant.
"Milano-Torino" was the original name of this cocktail, which was invented in the 1860s in Milan, but its light, bitter taste was so popular with Americans that it later came to be called "L'Americano". By either name, its bittersweetness is perfect to represent this film.
Fill a highball glass with ice. Add equal parts Campari and sweet vermouth, then top generously with soda water and garnish with a maraschino cherry and a lemon twist.
For a mocktail version, pour pomegranate juice over ice, add a sprinkle of mace and allspice, then top with soda water and garnish with cherry and lemon.
Slainte, good luck to all the nominees, and I'll see you on Sunday night with a fashion review!
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