Not to worry, no Molotov cocktails or intolerant politics here. Instead, it’s good will and awesome sportsmanship in a glass at these bars around the country featuring themed winter Olympics cocktails in celebration of the 2014 Sochi games.
Montanya Rum Bar, Crested Butte, Colorado
Drink: The Blunck
When to Drink it: In honor of Crested Butte Olympic skier Aaron Blunck, the cocktail is riff on a classic White Russian. Tune in to the Half Pipe event to cheer the local hometown hero on.
Recipe:
1.5 oz Coffee-Infused Oro
1 oz Platino
1 oz. espresso
1 oz. simple syrup
1 oz. half and half
Daly’s Pub, Montage Deer Valley Hotel, Utah
Drink: Sochi Mule
When to Drink It: Since you’ll probably be spending time most of your time in Utah on the slopes, sip this while picking up some sweet moves from U.S. Olympic athlete and snowboarder Shaun White.
Ingredients: Stoli vodka, lime, basil, mint and ginger beer.
Old Town Social, Chicago
Drink: Torch Shot
When to Drink It: Catch Kate Hansen’s performance at the women’s luge competition. She’s a favorite to win the gold, as she won the World Cup gold medal in women’s luge — the first American to do so in 17 years.
Ingredients: Cinnamon whiskey and caramel vodka poured down an Olympics-themed ice luge.
Polo Lounge, Beverly Hills Hotel, Los Angeles
Drink: Bronze, Silver and Gold Martinis
When to Drink It: Martinis and curling have one thing in common — quality ice is crucial in snagging the gold. Raise your glass to the motley U.S. men’s curling crew composed of normal dudes: a middle-school science teacher, a restaurant manager, an engineer and a college student.
Ingredients: The Bronze is made with Russian Standard Vodka. The Silver is made with Russian Standard Platinum Vodka. The Gold gets Russian Standard Gold Vodka.
WP24, Los Angeles
Drink: Go for Gold
When to Drink It: While watching hometown-favorites Jonathon Quick and Dustin Brown (of the Los Angeles Kings) in hockey and figure-skater Polina Edmonds
Recipe:
1 1/2 oz Stoli Vodka
3/4 oz St. Germain elderflower liqueur
1/2 oz dry vermouth
1/2 oz D’Arbo elderflower syrup
Build in a mixing glass with ice. Shake and strain into a martini glass, and sprinkle with gold flakes or edible gold glitter.
Moran’s Chelsea, NYC
Drink: The Gold Torch
When to Drink It: As the Olympic-torch blazes brightly, either opening or closing ceremonies are the best time to sip on this bourbon-spiked ginger tea.
Recipe:
4 oz ginger tea
1 oz bourbon
Brown sugar for garnish
Honey for sweetener and garnish
Brew the ginger tea as normal in a teapot. While brewing, rim a stemmed glass with honey and brown sugar. After tea is stewed, add in the bourbon. Stir and pour into glass.
Two E Lounge, The Pierre Hotel, NYC
Drink: Five cocktails — each the color of an Olympic ring — including the yellow Triple Salchowm, black Bobsledder and the green Alpine Skier.
When to Drink It: With so many winter sports-themed cocktails to choose from, an all out Olympics-watching marathon is in order.
Ingredients: The Triple Salchow is made with vodka, limoncello, spiced chai tea, fresh-squeezed OJ, steamed milk and white chocolate. In the Bobsledder there is Patron XO Cafe, walnut bitters, Lillet Rouge, Jagermeister Spice and pumpkin spice foam. In the Alpine Skier you get Midori, Ty Ku Junmai Saki, Brugal Especial Rum, honey and chamomile tea.