Planning an Emmys viewing party with friends this Sunday? It's one of TV's biggest nights—so we hope you'll be bringing your A game.
To help, we've got some cocktail recipes that will add a perfect on-theme twist to your TV show-related drinking games. (HBO scoops up a statuette? Drink! Neil Patrick Harris breaks into song? Drink! Someone thanks their "amazing" family? Drink!)
Basil Hayden's bourbon—which has in the past been a past sponsor of HBO's Luxury Lounge gifting suite in L.A., pouring theme-y cocktails for an A-list-only crowd—partnered with top mixologists who came up with a selection of drink ideas inspired by this year's nominees. And take note: They're tons of fun (and very potent).
For instance, to toast Game of Thrones, Austin's Rob Pate came up with the "Kingdom Come," which uses equal parts bourbon, Cocci Americano, Campari and a quarter part ginger juice.
Chicago's Shawn Thompson came up with the "Corrupt Old Fashion" to toast Boardwalk Empire. To make it, mix up one and a half parts bourbon, two dashes of bitters, two teaspoons of Demerara sugar and a muddled Griottine cherry. Top with a splash of soda and garnish with a slice of blood orange. (Nucky would be so proud!)
Want to try a "Power Play," inspired by House of Cards? L.A.'s Joel Black created a drink that uses one and a half parts bourbon, half part lemon juice, three-quarters part simple syrup, two drops of vanilla extract and a splash of root beer.
And then of course there's Mad Men—the show that makes every last one of us crave a drink of amber booze served in a fine cut crystal glass. In the show's honor, L.A.'s Damian Windsor came up with the "Mad-Hattan" made with two parts bourbon, three quarter part vermouth, one bar spoon Maraschino cherries and a dash of orange bitter. Garnish with an orange twist. (And just try to look as cool as Don after a couple of those babies.)
Cheers!