Herb Cocktails

Two of my favorite things about summer are drinking cocktails on the porch in the evening and enjoying the fresh herbs from my backyard garden. So naturally, combining the two is practically heaven. Here are a few delicious summer cocktail recipes using fresh herbs!

But first, a few quick notes on two commonly used techniques in cocktails featuring herbs: Infused simple syrups, and muddling. 

Many herbal cocktails call for preparing an infused simple syrup. The general rule is to combine equal parts sugar and water with a handful of fresh herbs, bring to a boil, remove from heat and allow to cool for 20-30 minutes, then strain. The milder the herb, the longer it should steep, or even simmer for a bit before removing from the heat. Feel free to adjust the proportions and times based on your preferred sweetness level and strength of herb-y taste. The syrups may be stored in the refrigerator, tightly covered, for several weeks. 

Muddling is another common technique. Place the fresh herbs in the bottom of a cocktail shaker without ice. (Note that an occasional recipe, such as the Mint Julep, muddles directly in the glass.) Muddle by mashing the herbs gently 3 or 4 times with a wooden muddler (if you're fancy) or the handle of a wooden spoon. (I just use the back of a small metal spoon and tip the shaker to the side so I'm muddling against the shaker wall rather than the bottom.) Don't mash too hard! You just want to release the juices and oils, not shred the leaves. 

Now let's take a look at some cocktails that feature these wonderful herbs. And don't be afraid to experiment with using different herbs (or combinations of herbs) than the ones called for in the recipe. 

ROSEMARY

Rosemary Fizz

Fill a highball glass with ice, then add 2 oz vodka, 1 oz lemon juice, and 3/4 ounce rosemary simple syrup. Stir, then top with 2 oz soda water and garnish with a lemon wheel or wedge and a sprig of rosemary. 

Bourbon Lemon Rosemary

In a shaker of ice, combine 2 oz bourbon, 1 oz fresh lemon juice, and 1 oz rosemary simple syrup, and shake well. Strain into a cocktail glass of ice and garnish with a rosemary sprig. 

Variation: Add a bit of honey!

Rosemary Collins

Fill a rocks glass with ice and add 1/2 oz lemon rosemary simple syrup (prepare with a few inches of lemon peel as well as the rosemary), 1/2 oz lemon juice, and 1 oz gin, and stir gently. Top with club soda and garnish with a lemon wheel or twist and a sprig of rosemary. 

MINT

Mojito

In a cocktail shaker, muddle 6 mint leaves.  Add 1 oz lime juice, 1 oz simple syrup, and 2 oz white rum to the shaker, then fill with ice and shake until chilled. Strain into a glass of ice and top with 2-3 oz soda water. Garnish with a few fresh mint leaves.

Variations: 

• Mocktail: omit the rum and use 4 oz of soda water. You can also substitute orgeat syrup for the simple syrup to boost the flavor.
• Berry: Add a few raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, or blueberries to the mint leaves when muddling. 
• Watermelon or peach: After muddling the mint, add a few small cubes of the fruit and muddle until the fruit turns to juice. 
• Alternate liquors: Substitute vodka, gin, or tequila for the rum.

Southside

Muddle 6 fresh mint leaves in a cocktail shaker. Add 2 oz gin, 1/2 oz lemon juice, 1/2 oz lime juice, and 1/2 oz simple syrup. Fill with ice and shake until cold. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a lemon twist and a few mint leaves. 

Variation: Top with soda water to make it a Southside Fizz!

Mint Julep

In a cocktail glass or double old-fashioned glass, muddle 8-10 fresh mint leaves with 1/2 oz simple syrup (or 2 sugar cubes). Add 2-1/2 oz bourbon, then fill glass with crushed ice and stir well. Garnish with a mint sprig and serve with a straw. 

Whiskey Smash

In a cocktail shaker, muddle 5-8 fresh mint leaves and 1/4 lemon cut into three pieces. Add 1 oz simple syrup and 2 oz bourbon whiskey, then fill with ice and shake vigorously for 30 seconds. Strain into an old-fashioned glass of crushed ice and garnish with a mint sprig. 

Madison Avenue

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add 1-1/2 oz light rum, 3/4 oz triple sec, 1/2 oz lime juice, 1 dash orange bitters, and 3-4 fresh mint leaves. Shake well and strain into an old-fashioned glass of ice. Garnish with a lime wheel or twist and a sprig of mint. 

BASIL

Gin & Basil

Muddle 4 fresh basil leaves in a cocktail shaker. Add 2 oz gin, 1/2 oz lemon juice, 1/2 oz lime juice, and 1/2 oz simple syrup. Fill shaker with ice and shake until chilled. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a fresh basil leaf. 

Variation: To make a Basil Vodka Gimlet, simply swap the gin for vodka and omit the lemon juice. 

Strawberry Basil Mojito

Prepare strawberry-infused simple syrup (slice strawberries) but blend with an immersion blender AFTER cooling and BEFORE straining.  

In a cocktail shaker of ice, combine 1 oz light rum, 1 oz strawberry simple syrup, 1/2 oz lemon juice, and 3 fresh basil leaves. Shake well and strain into a cocktail glass of ice. Top with 2 oz soda water and garnish with a sliced strawberry and a sprig of basil. 

LAVENDER

Lavender Lemon Drop

In a cocktail shaker, muddle 1 teaspoon fresh lavender buds with 1 tablespoon simple syrup. Add 2 oz citrus vodka, and 1 oz lemon juice. Fill with ice and shake well. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a sprig of lavender. 

Variation: Try using rosemary, basil, or mint instead of lavender. 

Lavender Martini

In a cocktail shaker of ice, combine 2 oz gin (or vodka), 1/2 oz dry vermouth, 1/2 oz lavender simple syrup, and 2 dashes orange bitters. Shake well and strain into a chilled glass. Garnish with a lavender sprig. 

Lavender Bees' Knees

Make lavender-honey syrup by stirring together 1/4 cup honey and 2 tablespoons hot water. Stir in 1 teaspoon lavender and allow to cool for 30 minutes, then strain out lavender. 

In a shaker of ice, combine 2 oz gin, 3/4 oz lavender-honey syrup, 1 oz lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon lavender. Shake vigorously for 10 seconds then strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a sprig of lavender. 

Variation: Try using sage instead of lavender!

DILL

Dill Gin Mojito

Muddle 2 dill fronds in a cocktail shaker. Add 3/4 oz simple syrup, 3/4 oz lime juice, and 1 oz gin, then fill shaker with ice and shake until chilled. Pour UNSTRAINED into a highball glass and top with 2 oz club soda. Garnish with a fresh dill frond. 

Cucumber Dill Martini

Cut 6 thin slices from a cucumber, then use a vegetable peeler to cut two thin strips lengthwise. Drape the two strips inside a martini glass and set aside. Add 4 of the cucumber slices and 3 dill fronds to a cocktail shaker, then add 1 oz lime juice and 1/2 oz simple syrup and muddle for 1-2 minutes. Fill shaker halfway with ice and add 3 oz vodka. Shake and strain into prepared glass, then garnish with two dill fronds and remaining cucumber slices. 

Dill-Cucumber Gin Fizz

In a short glass, muddle 3 slices cucumber, 2 oz gin, 1 oz lime juice, and a few sprigs of dill (removed from the stem). Add ice and top with 3 oz club soda or sparkling water. Garnish with a cucumber slice and a sprig of dill. 

Dill-Vodka Martini (Note: There is no link or photo with this one, as I combined multiple sources to come up with the recipe, since I was coming up somewhat short on recipes that used dill but not cucumbers.)

Make dill-infused vodka by placing 4-5 large dill sprigs into a 750 ml bottle of vodka (or adjust proportions for a smaller batch). Close bottle tightly and store in a cool, dark place for 3-4 days, swirling gently daily. Taste for strength and allow to steep longer, if desired. Discard sprigs and strain through cheesecloth into a clean bottle and store in a cool, dark place. 

Use the vodka to prepare a martini to your taste, with or without dry vermouth and/or olive brine. 

2022 Tony Awards Red Carpet Fashions

Let me begin my red carpet review with an inarguable statement: Ariana de Bose was a charismatic, enthusiastic, talented, fun, and well-dressed host. She wore a series of outfits over the course of the evening and there was not a clunker in the bunch. So let's start with a review of some of her fashions.

De Bose walked the red carpet in a black sequined gown with a hip-height slit and a bra-style top with high-waisted skirt. It was sexy without being overly revealing and shimmered beautifully under the lights. 

The main part of the awards ceremony opened with a production number, during which she wore a circus-style white and silver ensemble with semi-opaque tights and a long-sleeved spangled leotard, topped with a silver sequin vest and a black-trimmed broad-brimmed white hat. Very Broadway, very showy, very fabulous. 

She segued from that number into hosting duties by removing the hat and swapping out the silver vest for a marvelously tailored long white satin jacket with broad lapels that changed her look (quite appropriately) from performer to ringmaster. 

At nearly every commercial break, she changed into a different outfit. The first 5 or 6 were all white or mainly white, including this lovely white satin strapless dress with deep pink stripes on the skirt descending into solid pink at the bottom. Simple, but with beautiful, graceful lines. 

Later on, the changed into an open-fronted white jacket as she danced and sang her way through the audience. I appreciated that even though the bodice was quite open, the outfit was so well-tailored that she had no fear of costume malfunctions even as she threw herself onto the lap of a delighted Andrew Garfield. 

Later in the evening, she changed into a black halter gown which, like her other looks, had simple but elegant lines, but I was not able to find a photo so you'll just have to trust that it was lovely and flattering.

She ended the evening by changing into a gorgeous short purple coat-dress that had an attached train at one time that - being the consummate performer that she is - she flipped around to great dramatic effect as she owned the stage in a wonderfully fun closing medley. 

I loved that all her outfits were crisply tailored, with simple, clean lines that emphasized her graceful movement and kept the attention on her, rather than her clothes, while at the same time being flattering and memorable. 

So how did some of the other attendees do with their fashions? Just as with the Tony Awards, there were winners and there were losers. Let's begin with the, er, less successful looks.

Kara Young's copper gown had a lot going for it - the fabric itself, for one. It was a gorgeous color with a sheen that gave it wonderful depth as she moved. But the huge bubble skirt looked bulky and unwieldy instead of light and flowing. I liked the wide waistband with the bra top, but the cropped shrug/jacket she wore over it was cut at an odd length that broke the lines of the bra, and the ruffles along the shoulder were stiff and reminded me of a dinosaur's spikes. Get rid of the shrug and half the volume of the skirt and this outfit would have been a knockout.

I missed seeing Sarah Silverman on the red carpet, so my first glimpse of this outfit was only from the shoulders up, and my husband remarked (and I thought), "Huh, she looks much classier than she often does at these events." Then it cut to a full-body shot and we both said, "Um, never mind." I really like the bodice and sleeves of her outfit, but the frilly shorts, thigh-high socks over fishnet stockings, and clunky combat boots did not work with either the bodice or the red carpet. Maybe for the VMAs, but not for the Tonys.

Jordan Roth's look was another disappointment for me. Much like with Young's look, the fabric was magnificent and the concept wasn't bad, but the execution fell short. I liked the kimono-style neckline and the embellishments that increased toward the hem, but the one-sided panel didn't quite balance the plain black pants, and the panel hung awkwardly when Roth wasn't specifically posing. I also found his silver finger-covers to be very distracting and strange. The look had some good aspects but it just didn't come together in a unified way for me. 

Sarah Paulson was another look that took gorgeous fabric (it was encrusted with a mosaic of tiny mirrors and bits of colored glass) and put it together in a terrible way. The giant bubble at her hips was not flattering and did not move well. If that were gone and the matching puffiness of the sleeves had been minimized, it could have been rather a nice look. I will say that Paulson carried off the slicked-back hair better than any of the many attendees sporting the style last night. 

Marcia Gay Harden's dusty rose gown was very close to being a winner for me, but I found the main body of it to be too bland. The fabric needed some kind of visual interest, whether a subtle print or even just a less matte finish, or perhaps just a more interesting neckline or a long necklace. I did like the soft draping of the long attached cape, but the main body of the dress needed a pop of something, somewhere. 

I love a well-tailored pair of pants on the red carpet, but Anna Fleischle's pants were not that. The dropped crotch didn't work with the width of the pantlegs, and I have no idea what the shiny curved panel in the front was supposed to be, but the overall effect was just droopy and dumpy, which was a shame, because her top and shoes were simple and fun, respectively, and a flowing pair of well-tailored wide-legged pants or even properly-fitted skinny cropped pants would have made it a spectacular look. 

Rachel Dratch's look wasn't terrible, but there were a few features that could have been so much better. 

The fabric and overall silhouette were terrific and looked great on her, but the angle at which the shoulderless lace sleeve was attached looked like it pulled uncomfortably as she moved, and the pointy detail on the right shoulder made the diagonal line of the top of the bodice disproportionate and unflattering. I'd love to rip both sleeves right off the dress, then Rachel would look like a million bucks!

I wanted to love Lilli Cooper's look, and most of it I did. The wide-legged palazzo pants, the sheer black attached cape, the tiny gold belt and gold detailing on the bodice. But the open front was just too wide. So much boobs. So much use of double-sided tape in evidence. The viewer will appreciate your boobs much more if they don't look like they're working that hard. But if you are going to expose that much of your chest, use some bronzer where the sun don't shine so the underside of your breasts isn't noticeably paler than the rest of your chest. 

Yet another great concept that struggled with the execution and the details, Danielle Brooks' outfit was a fabulous fabric, which worked really well for structure of the skirt and relatively well for the front of the bodice. But the puffiness at the back made it look like she was wearing a stiff, inflatable backpack. It made her look top-heavy and it did not move with her movements. I also found her hairstyle to be at odds with the style of the dress. It could have worked with a more angular, more playful look, but this dress calls for softer lines and a more elegant flow. She did have fabulous shoes, though. 

I really liked Joaquina Kalukango's dress when I saw it from the front. I loved the shimmery gold fabric, the flattering vertical lines, and the sleekness of the attached cape. I found her braided hairstyle positively exquisite. But then I saw the lumpy, wrinkled, lime green satin train that looked like a wad of used chewing gum. What a terrible addition! But she did go home with the ultimate accessory of a nicely coordinating gold Tony Award, so I don't think she's too disappointed with her evening.

So those are some of the outfits that didn't work for me. But what about the ones that did? Here are some of the sartorial stars of the evening.

This photo of Philippa Soo's dress does not do it justice. The black chains holding up the bodice were so graceful and created such lovely lines. The whole silhouette was simple and elegant and just marvelous overall.

My favorite look of the night was this gorgeous gold-and-blush ballgown worn by Jennifer Simard. This skirt is the perfect example of fullness that is floaty instead of bulky. I loved the depth of color created by the gathered fabric, both in the skirt and around the bodice, with just the right amount of shimmer and movement from the metallic gold streaks in the fabric. I hope she has the opportunity to wear this gown again, because I suspect it would be even more stunning with her natural brunette hair. 

LaTanya Richardson Jackson's softly draped, bright yellow column was lovely on its own, but it was truly brought to life by the colorfully embroidered long jacket she wore over it. Her proud husband at her side wasn't a bad accessory, either.

Kelli O'Hara looked stunning in a simple, softly draped white halter column, accented with a climbing trail of black flowers. It looked stylish, flattering, and comfortable. 

Lynn Nottage proved that a single fabulous accessory can make or break a basic dress. Her muumuu-style peach satin gown could have been somewhat blah, but the collar of concentric gold bands reaching nearly to her shoulders brought the look to life. Marvelous. 

Ruth Negga showed how an open-front bodice can work when it's properly tailored. Her bodice front extended far enough to the sides to keep it firmly in place and move with her body instead of gapping awkwardly. I loved the fullness of her spangled skirt and how it tied in visually with her sparkling diamond choker. Her curly, tousled hair and pop of rich burgundy lipstick were the perfect finishing touches. 

I love gowns that pair a slim, fitted skirt with a full overlay, and clearly so does LaChanze. Not many people could pull off vivid chartreuse satin, but it looked amazing on her. The softly shirred bodice with its angled halter straps created a stunning silhouette on a figure that's already pretty stunning. Fabulous.

I really liked the draped diamond ribbons at the front of Julianne Hough's red carpet gown. It was just a hint of art deco without being overtly Erte. The soft loops were nicely balanced by a sharply plunging neckline that was clearly firmly structured to stay in place. Well done. 

Cynthia Erivo's flowy white gown was another good example of balanced fullness. Her voluminous gown was floaty rather than heavy, and I loved the wrapped waist and hooded cape that a friend pointed out had just a hint of Princess Leia, which felt very appropriate. She looked gorgeous and feminine, but still warrior-like.

Jenn Colella did pants right by pairing black, slightly-flared wide-legged pants with a sheer white, long-sleeved, high-necked blouse with an opaque white tube top underneath. It accentuated her long, slim build and exquisite face. I loved this look so much on her. 

Sharon D. Clarke acknowledged her heritage in a gown made of a very traditional African print cotton fabric. The border print on the bell sleeves hinted at a dashiki style, but the flared overlay on the skirt was all designer glamour. And her cowrie-shell necklace, earrings, and hair clip were just the right accessories.  

I really liked Jessica Chastain's pale pink satin wrapped gown with its drooping straps and teeny train. It was like a pastel version of Jessica Rabbit, and it was fantastic old-school glamour. 

Antwayn Hopper wore a delightful take on a white Elvis jumpsuit in this open-fronted white-and-gold shirt with flared cuffs, paired with slim (but not too tight) white pants and a fun little drape of tulle at one hip. He played it up to the hilt on the red carpet, turning a somewhat kitschy look into a truly fun and charming one. 

Utkarsh Ambudkar hit it out of the park with his take on a Victorian Pearly King outfit. His traditional black tuxedo was decorated with mother-of-pearl discs forming decorative lines and florets. He looked both dignified and delightful. 

There were plenty of other outfits on the red carpet last night, but these are the ones that stood out to me as the real eye-catchers and the real missteps. Did I miss any that you loved or hated? Feel free to post a comment and let me know!

The Tony-Award-winning costumes from SIX: The Musical,
designed by Gabriella Slade

2022 Tony Awards Cocktails

Anyone who knows me or follows my blog knows that I love theatre, red carpet events, and cocktails. And what better time to celebrate this trifecta than at the Tony Awards, taking place this year on June 12? So in honor of the nominated shows, here are a few suggestions for appropriate cocktails based on whichever nominee you're cheering on!

The Show: Skeleton Crew
The Nominations: Best Play, Best Featured Actress in a Play (Phylicia Rashad), Best Scenic Design of a Play (Michael Carnahan and Nicholas Hussong)
The Cocktail: Skeleton Key

1-1/4 oz bourbon
3/4 oz elderflower liqueur
1/2 oz lemon juice
3-5 oz ginger beer
8 dashes bitters

In a Collins glass with ice, add bourbon, elderflower liqueur, and lemon juice. Top with ginger beer and add bitters. Serve with a straw.

The Show: Mr. Saturday Night
The Nominations: Best Musical, Best Original Score (Jason Robert Brown & Amanda Green), Best Leading Actor in a Musical (Billy Crystal), Best Featured Actress in a Musical (Shoshana Bean)
The Cocktail: Crystal Spritz

1/2 cup lemon juice
1/2 cup sugar
4 oz Sauvignon Blanc
fresh basil leaf
fresh orange peel
seltzer

Prepare lemon syrup by combining lemon juice and sugar and heating until dissolved; allow to cool. In a large wine glass, add Sauvignon blanc and 1 oz lemon syrup. Fill with ice and stir to combine. Slap the basil leaf between your palms to release the oils and slide into cocktail. Twist the orange peel over the glass, rub the peel on the rim of the glass, then slide into cocktail. Top with seltzer and serve.

The Show: Take Me Out
The Nomination): Best Revival of a Play, Best Featured Actor in a Play (Jesse Tyler Ferguson AND Michael Oberholtzer AND Jesse Williams)
The Cocktail: Take Me Out to the Ballgame

2 oz bourbon
1 oz Frangelico
1 oz Amaretto
1/4 oz lemon juice
pinch salt
4 oz soda water

In a shaker of ice, combine all ingredients except soda water. Shake and strain into a glass of ice and top with soda water. If desired, prepare glass by moistening rim with lemon juice and rolling in crushed Cracker Jacks.

The Show: Company
The Nominations: Best Revival of a Musical, Best Featured Actor in a Musical (Matt Doyle), Best Featured Actress in a Musical (Patti LuPone AND Jennifer Simard), Best Scenic Design of a Musical (Bunny Christie), Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Neil Austin), Best Sound Design of a Musical (Ian Dickinson), Best Direction of a Musical (Marianne Elliott), Best Orchestrations (David Cullen)
The Cocktail: The Sarah (A vodka stinger would have been too obvious - plus Patti gets plenty of love already - so this is in honor of Simard's character)

1 oz vodka
1/2 oz cherry brandy
1/2 oz dry vermouth
1 tsp Campari bitters
1 tsp creme de bananes

Combine all ingredients over ice in a cocktail shaker; shake and strain into a Collins glass of ice. 

The Show: A Strange Loop
The Nominations: Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical (Michael R. Jackson), Best Original Score (Michael R. Jackson), Best Leading Actor in a Musical (Jaquel Spivey), Best Featured Actor in a Musical (John-Andrew Morrison), Best Featured Actress in a Musical (L Morgan Lee), Best Scenic Design of a Musical (Arnulfo Maldonado), Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Jen Schriever), Best Sound Design of a Musical (Drew Levy), Best Direction of a Musical (Stephen Brackett), Best Orchestrations (Charlie Rosen)
The Cocktail: The Loop de Loop

2 oz Three Olives Loopy vodka
2 oz pineapple juice
1 oz lime juice

In a cocktail shaker of ice, combine all ingredients. Shake and strain into a cocktail glass with ice. Garnish with a lime and/or pineapple wedge.

The Show: SIX: The Musical
The Nominations: Best Musical, Best Original Score (Toby Marlow & Lucy Moss), Best Costume Design of a Musical (Gabriella Slade), Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Tim Deiling), Best Sound Design of a Musical (Paul Gatehouse), Best Direction of a Musical (Lucy Moss & Jamie Armitage), Best Choreography (Carrie-Anne Ingrouille), Best Orchestrations (Tom Curran)
The Cocktail: Queens Cocktail

1-1/2 oz gin
3/4 oz sweet vermouth
1/2 oz dry vermouth
1 oz pineapple juice

Shake all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and strain into a chilled martini or coupe glass. Garnish with a wedge of pineapple, if desired.

The Show: Paradise Square

The Nominations: Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical (Christina Anderson, Craig Lucas & Larry Kirwan), Best Original Score (Jason Howland, Lyrics: Nathan Tysen & Masi Asare), Best Leading Actress in a Musical (Joaquina Kalukango), Best Featured Actor in a Musical (Sidney DuPont AND A.J. Shively), Best Scenic Design of a Musical (Allen Moyer), Best Costume Design of a Musical (Toni-Leslie James), Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Donald Holder), Best Choreography (Bill T. Jones)

The Cocktail: The Blue Paradise #4

1-1/2 oz vodka
1-1/2 oz blue curacao
1/2 oz creme de coconut
5 oz pineapple juice

Fill a cocktail glass with crushed ice and add all ingredients, then garnish with a cherry and an orange twist.

The Show: MJ
The Nominations: Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical (Lynn Nottage), Best Leading Actor in a Musical (Myles Frost), Best Scenic Design of a Musical ( Derek McLane & Peter Nigrini), Best Costume Design of a Musical (Paul Tazewell), Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Natasha Katz), Best Sound Design of a Musical (Gareth Owen), Best Direction of a Musical (Christopher Wheeldon), Best Choreography (Christopher Wheeldon)

The Cocktail: Golden Glove

2 oz white rum
1 tsp Cointreau
1/2 oz lime juice
1 tsp sugar

Shake all ingredients over ice and strained into a glass of crushed ice. Garnish with a lime wedge or wheel. 

The Show: The Music Man
The Nominations: Best Revival of a Musical, Best Leading Actor in a Musical (Hugh Jackman), Best Leading Actress in a Musical (Sutton Foster), Best Featured Actress in a Musical (Jayne Houdyshell), Best Costume Design of a Musical (Santo Loquasto), Best Choreography (Warren Carlyle)
The Cocktail: Iowa Mule

2 oz rye (preferably Templeton Rye 4 Year)
1/2 oz lime juice

Ginger beer

Pour rye and lime juice into a copper mug or cocktail glass of ice. Top with ginger beer and garnish with a lime wheel.

The Show: American Buffalo

The Nominations: Best Revival of a Play, Best Leading Actor in a Play (Sam Rockwell), Best Scenic Design of a Play (Scott Pask), Best Direction of a Play (Neil Pepe)
The Cocktail: The Buffalo

1/2 oz bitters

2-1/2 oz bourbon

orange juice

Place bitters into a chilled martini glass; pour bourbon over; top with orange juice. 

The Show: Clyde's
The Nominations: Best Play, Best Featured Actor in a Play (Ron Cephas Jones), Best Featured Actress in a Play (Uzo Aduba AND Kara Young), Best Costume Design of a Play (Jennifer Moeller)
The Cocktail: Stone Sour (I had to reach pretty hard for this one: "stone" is the meaning of "cephas" in honor of nominee Ron Cephas Jones) 

1-12 oz bourbon
1 oz orange juice
1 oz simple syrup
3/4 oz lemon juice

Shake over ice and strain into a chilled rocks glass with ice. Garnish with a cherry and an orange wheel.

The Show: The Girl from the North Country
The Nominations: Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical (Conor McPherson), Best Leading Actress in a Musical (Mare Winningham), Best Featured Actress in a Musical (Jeannette Bayardelle), Best Sound Design of a Musical (Simon Baker), Best Direction of a Musical (Conor McPherson), Best Orchestrations (Simon Hale)
The Cocktail: North Girl

1-1/2 oz vodka
3/4 oz lime juice
3/4 oz simple syrup

Shake over ice and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a mint leaf. 

The Show: for colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf
The Nominations: Best Revival of a Play, Best Featured Actress in a Play (Kenita R. Miller), Best Costume Design of a Play (Sarafina Bush), Best Lighting Design of a Play (Jiyoun Chang), Best Sound Design of a Play (Justin Ellington), Best Direction of a Play (Camille A. Brown), Best Choreography (Camille A. Brown)

The Cocktail: Rainbow Paradise

1 oz grenadine
4 oz pineapple juice
2 oz coconut rum
1/2 oz blue curacao
1/2 oz water

Pour grenadine into a 16-oz hurricane glass, then fill with ice. In another cup, combine pineapple juice and rum. Pour into hurricane glass and stir slightly to form layers. In another cup, combine blue curacao and water and pour gently over the back of a spoon into the hurricane glass. Garnish with a lemon slice or orange twist. 

The Show: The Lehman Trilogy
The Nominations: Best Play, Best Leading Actor in a Play (Simon Russell Beale AND Adam Godley AND Adrian Lester), Best Scenic Design of a Play (Es Devlin), Best Lighting Design of a Play (Jon Clark), Best Sound Design of a Play (Nick Powell & Dominic Bilkey), Best Direction of a Play (Sam Mendes)

The Cocktail: The Money Maker

1/4 oz pear vodka
1/2 oz Midori
scant 1 oz lemon juice

Combine over ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake and strain into a chilled short glass. Garnish with a lime twist and a lemon wedge. 

The Show: The Skin of Our Teeth
The Nominations: Best Leading Actress in a Play (Gabby Beans), Best Scenic Design of a Play (Adam Rigg), Best Costume Design of a Play (Montana Levi Blanco), Best Lighting Design of a Play (Yi Zhao), Best Sound Design of a Play (Palmer Hefferan), Best Direction of a Play (Lileana Blain-Cruz)

The Cocktail: The Montana (because I simply MUST recognize at least one of the nominated Costume Designers!!)

2 oz cognac
1 oz dry vermouth

1 oz port wine

Shake over ice; strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.

Phew! I think I managed to cover the shows with the most nominations, but I apologize if I missed your favorite. Have fun watching on Sunday night and stay tuned for the inevitable red carpet review to follow!