For the first time as parents, we actually ushered in 2007 at a party. With other adults. The bash was fully catered by the hosts and the bar was stocked by all of us overly-eager mommies and daddies of small children. Each couple supplied a drink and my husband, a bartender when we met, was eager to create a show-stopper cocktail for us all to enjoy.
To prepare, we went to the liquor store and the very adept sales kid who looked like he just cleared the 21 mark steered us toward the Absolut Pears that had just been stocked that day. He raved, we bought. Back at home, we devised a kamikaze-inspired pear vodka cocktail and we indulged in a few shakers full of tester drinks.
The pear deliciousness might be labeled by someone leaning on the side of a problem as a "successful drink," as in, It was so successful, we ended up on the dining room floor giggling over...well, who remembers really? It was good fun that night and on New Year's Eve.
Be warned, the Absolut Pears is good. Good and potent. It is not for those cocktailers still in diapers. It is named for our son (is it wrong to name your buzz-on after your kid?) who was delighted at the idea of potty training and the novelty of Thomas the Train underwear but once they accidentally and easily got wet, quickly retreated back to the Pampers. With that, and in hopes that you're ready for some adultified goodness, I give you:
Big Boy Panties
Mix, shake and strain
1-1/2 oz. Absolut Pears or your favorite brand of pear vodka
1/2 oz. Triple Sec
The juice of one lime
Serve straight up by pouring into a martini shell sophisticated sipper.
-or-
Pour over ice in a Collins glass and top with tonic for a fizzy delight.
Garnish with sliced pear or a lime twist. Cheers!
