Bird Cocktails

It's been quite a while since I've written a cocktail blog, so I figure I'm about due. And since I've been spending so much time in my new house watching the birds at my feeder, I thought it might be fun to do a blog on bird-inspired cocktails! Here are a few of my favorite feathered visitors and the delectable concoctions they inspire.

Woodpecker

Believe it or not, there is actually a cocktail called the woodpecker, and it is one of the simplest cocktails imaginable. Simply pour some vodka over ice in an old-fashioned glass and add a few dashes of bitters.

Hummingbird

The hummingbird cocktail is also relatively simple: In a tall Collins glass with ice, stir together 2 oz champagne or sparkling wine, 1-1/2 oz St. Germain, and 2 oz club soda. Garnish with a twist of lemon.

Chickadee

The festive Chickadee Cocktail is created by putting two scoops of rainbow sherbet into a highball glass, then adding 4 oz coconut rum, 2 oz vodka, and 6 oz Sunny Delight orange drink (do not stir!), and adding a cherry for garnish.

Titmouse

I couldn't find a cocktail called a Titmouse, but believe it or not, there is a kind of vodka called "Two Titmice," and one of the recommended cocktails on their website was called the "Ta Ta Martini," which is something like a Cosmopolitan. In a shaker over ice, combine 2 oz Two Titmice vodka, 1/2 oz triple sec, and a splash of cranberry juice. Strain into a chilled martini glass with a sugared rim and garnish with a lemon twist.

Great Blue Heron

The Blue Heron cocktail is made by muddling 4 basil leaves and 2 teaspoons of sugar in an old fashioned glass, then adding 1 oz sparkling water and 3 tablespoons frozen blueberries and muddling again. Add some crushed ice along with 1 oz lime juice and 1-1/2 oz rum and stir. Garnish with a few blueberries on a skewer and a sprig of basil.

Blue Jay

The Blue Jay is a simple shot that combines equal parts vodka, blue curacao, and milk. Shake over ice and strain into a shot glass.

American Goldfinch

Although there is another extremely complicated cocktail called the Goldfinch, the American Goldfinch cocktail is simpler. In a cocktail shaker over ice, combine 4-1/2 oz bourbon, 1-1/2 oz dry curacao, 1 oz lemon juice, and 4 oz apple juice. Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass rimmed with brown sugar.

Robin

There are a number of robin-themed cocktail recipes out there, but the Robin's Nest looked the most festive and refreshing to me. In a cocktail shaker over ice, combine 1 oz vodka, 1/2 oz creme de cacao, and 1 oz cranberry juice; shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a cherry.

Cardinal

With its striking coloring, it is no surprise that the cardinal has a number of cocktails named after it. The least obscure and most appetizing version I found is made by combing 1-1/2 oz rum, 1/2 oz maraschino cherry liqueur, 1 teaspoon triple sec, and 1 teaspoon grenadine in a cocktail shaker over ice, and straining into a cocktail glass. Garnish with orange peel.


Happy bird watching - and drinking!