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Last Christmas Eve, Mr. Magpie and I stayed up until 1 a.m. assembling the children’s gifts on the floor of our Manhattan bedroom, boxes and styrofoam piling up in unwieldy mounds and little shreds of wrapping paper and ribbon dotting the carpet. We drank way too many La Bomba Daiquiris out of champagne coupes that night, which will now forever be my “Christmas Eve Cocktail,” even though — come to think of it — it’s not particularly seasonally appropriate. But it is red! And it is delicious, with a pleasant tartness. I thought I’d share it here today in case you want to up the ante before Thanksgiving dinner or your next dinner party with friends, period. It’s a refreshing delight and it looks charming in a vintage-style coupe with the lime wheel on the rim. The note on this cocktail recipe, designed by Joaquin Simo in 2008, reads: “Here’s a great example of a fruity drink that’s not all sweet. Its name is a play on the French word for pomegranate — grenade.”
LA BOMBA DAIQUIRI, OR THE MAGPIE CHRISTMAS EVE COCKTAIL
5 raspberries
2 ounces Barbancourt white rum
3/4 ounces fresh lime juice
1/2 ounce simple syrup
1 teaspoon pomegranate molasses (you can buy this online if difficult to find at your grocery)
GARNISH: 1 lime wheel and raspberry flag
In a shaker, gently muddle the raspberries. Add the remaining ingredients and shake with ice. Double strain into a coupe. Garnish with the lime wheel and raspberry flag.
Some helpful equipment for this, and other cocktail-making adventures…
+I love my coupes for champagne or cocktails served up. They are by Zafferano but appear to now be sold out in the clear crystal I have. I actually bought them as a “gift” for Mr. Magpie but clearly it was a self-serving offering. Haha. These are very similar and ultra chic, too. (And a better price!). I also love the colored glass ones from Estelle, this vintage-inspired set, and these modern/sexy ones.
+These are the best jiggers for measuring cocktail ingredients because you can see how much you’ve poured from the top (without lifting it to eye level). We have two on hand! You’ll also need a cocktail shaker, strainer, and muddler. If you don’t have these things, the lot of them would make an excellent holiday bundle gift along with a cocktail book. (This one is Mr. Magpie’s bible.)
+When they say “flag” they simply mean a few raspberries skewered on a pick. I like the look of these bamboo ones with the knot at the end. Garnish is essential for this drink! Don’t neglect!
+Mr. Magpie makes syrups (including simple syrup, needed above) in big batches and stores them in these squeeze bottles in our fridge.
Post-Scripts.
+My favorite quarantine cocktail.
+An addictive snack to make for your next happy hour get together.
+10 things you need in your kitchen.
+Fancy gear for coffee and tea snobs.
+Are you an adventurous eater?
Shopping Break.
+Chic SEA inspired dress for under $150. Would work for any fall gathering — and would work with a bump, too.
+Adore the personalization on these simple burlap stockings. Use code magpie10 for 10% off! This Etsy seller is adorable and also makes the most beautiful personalized hair bows for littles, like this holiday one. I love these statement bows because they totally transform a solid-colored dress into the perfect holiday look.
+These $20 toddler jammies are beyond precious and look much higher end than their price tag suggests.
+Oo I love (!) this houndstooth quilted jacket!
+Adore this puffer in the green color especially.
+Love the embroidery on these napkins.
+This bow-backed peplum top is SO fun.
+Into this velvet and lace-trim cami for the holiday season.
+Fab statement blouse in one of my favorite autumn hues.
+This dress gives me major Alessandra Rich vibes, but for under $100. Imagine how chic with navy velvet footwear like these on-trend Mary Janes, these Tory-Burch-inspired heels, or these Tamara Mellons.
+These remain my favorite pens of all time. I have minuscule handwriting and these have an ultra-fine tip. The blue ink is nice and punchy and bright, too. More great desk accessories here, and WFH essentials here.
+This bed pillow would be a fun gift for a teen. Honestly, I want one.
+Sweet, reasonably priced tartan holiday dress for a little one. (You can coordinate in a similar tartan — lots of picks here, but don’t miss this stunner, currently on sale!)
+I swear by henleys during super cold days — my favorites are by J. Crew and Old Navy and I love the options they have out right now!
+Rattan table lamp at a fantastic price.
+These holiday cocktail napkins are hilarious.
+Happy Holidays door mat for under $20.
+Fun gingham athletic shirt — love.
+Adorable gingham anorak for a little love.
+I almost want this palette just for the packaging. So spectacular!
+Why am I so drawn to these Ritz accessories from Frame? A few girlfriends and I have been ambitiously talking about possibly taking a trip to Paris next fall…
+A pretty gift to give at a Christening. Also love these hand-painted, personalized ones.
I would also recommend Drinking French by David Lebovitz, a great gift with interesting insights in French bar culture and how liquors are made.
Oo great tip – sounds right up Mr. Magpie’s alley. Thanks, Angelyn!
xx
Oooh seems we have similar taste in cocktails! Thank you for this recommendation:). It reminds me (if only because it’s red), that I always forget to make cranberry margaritas around the holidays! Xo
Yum! Chin chin!
I’m a cocktail hound and just want to comment that Bonal, which is one of the bottles on the bar in that picture, is one of my favorite ingredients. It’s complex and herbal while still being quite light on the tongue. Love it.
And if you/anyone is looking for good cocktail books for gift-giving, some of my favorites include Amaro by Brad Thomas Parsons (both an encyclopedia of the liquor genre as well as a recipe book) and I’m Just Here for the Drinks by Sother Teague, the proprietor of my favorite bar here in NY, Amor Y Amargo. It’s a good primer on most cocktails but isn’t so basic that an experienced cocktail maker would be bored with it.
Oo these are great recs…and possible gifts for Mr. Magpie, also a “cocktail hound” as you put it 🙂
Thank you, friend!