This summer, OC got you Tipsy and Tan. Now, we're just getting you tipsy. Meet Fridays at Five, our cocktail series where mixologists at New York City’s white-hot new restaurants create OC-exclusive drinks for our readers. Drinking on the job? Don't mind if we do...
It’s about that time of year when radio stations start playing Christmas songs 'round the clock. The subliminal message? Excess is justifiable—especially when there’s snow to make into snowmen, fireplaces to gather around, and s’mores to be savored.
Luckily, there’s Spirited, a dessert cocktail bar serving strictly sweets and booze, channeling 1920s film noir where whiskey is poured into everything (including the pie). Pair a hot toddy with a floating brownie or a cognac with some blackout cake. And if you’re feeling particularly frisky, mix up The Gentleman Caller—whiskey, dry curacao, blood orange liqueur, and sweet vermouth. A touch classier than straight whiskey (but equally as strong), this drink is best served on the rocks, by the fire, perhaps with a romantic caller by your side. ‘Tis the holiday season, after all.
Name: Zachary T. DeCrescenzo
If this drink had a soundtrack, what would it be? This is what the man is drinking in "Baby It’s Cold Outside.” It’s so very forward.
Drink of choice: Hendricks, orange bitters, and three cucumber slices on the rocks
Hangover cure: Fourteen hours of sleep. I actually have alarms on my phone for every single hour, so if I’m ever super wasted I can set them all and have a glass of water every hour.
Best date advice: Know what you’re drinking before you get there. When you have too much of an inner debate, you seem nervous.
Worst pick-up: There was a woman here who was in between doing laundry, and she wasn’t too happy with the wine I served her. She told me, “I have better wine at home. Would you like to join me for a glass?”
What not to do to your bartender: When people complain about the music and ask to change it, that’s definitely a sign that you’ve had one too many. That’s pretty ballsy. That’s liquid courage.
Exclusive Recipe: The Gentleman Caller
OC Alcohol Scale*: 9
“It’s a big drink. It’s for people who drink straight whiskey but want a cocktail.”
2 oz Old Overholt Rye Whiskey
3/4 oz Pierre Ferrand Dry Curacao
3/4 Golden Moon Amer Dit Picon
1/2 oz Carpano Antica Formula Sweet Vermouth
Combine ingredients and give it a long stir over ice. Strain over fresh ice and garnish with a lemon twist.
*OC's Alcohol Scale ranges from 1 ("like sippin' from a juice box") to 10 ("take me home—right now").![]()
The Gentleman Caller. Photos by Jessica Chou ![]()
What we're working with: whiskey, curacao, amer dit picon, and vermouth. ![]()
Combine all of your liquids. ![]()
Add your ice. ![]()
It’s about that time of year when radio stations start playing Christmas songs 'round the clock. The subliminal message? Excess is justifiable—especially when there’s snow to make into snowmen, fireplaces to gather around, and s’mores to be savored.
Luckily, there’s Spirited, a dessert cocktail bar serving strictly sweets and booze, channeling 1920s film noir where whiskey is poured into everything (including the pie). Pair a hot toddy with a floating brownie or a cognac with some blackout cake. And if you’re feeling particularly frisky, mix up The Gentleman Caller—whiskey, dry curacao, blood orange liqueur, and sweet vermouth. A touch classier than straight whiskey (but equally as strong), this drink is best served on the rocks, by the fire, perhaps with a romantic caller by your side. ‘Tis the holiday season, after all.
Name: Zachary T. DeCrescenzo
If this drink had a soundtrack, what would it be? This is what the man is drinking in "Baby It’s Cold Outside.” It’s so very forward.
Drink of choice: Hendricks, orange bitters, and three cucumber slices on the rocks
Hangover cure: Fourteen hours of sleep. I actually have alarms on my phone for every single hour, so if I’m ever super wasted I can set them all and have a glass of water every hour.
Best date advice: Know what you’re drinking before you get there. When you have too much of an inner debate, you seem nervous.
Worst pick-up: There was a woman here who was in between doing laundry, and she wasn’t too happy with the wine I served her. She told me, “I have better wine at home. Would you like to join me for a glass?”
What not to do to your bartender: When people complain about the music and ask to change it, that’s definitely a sign that you’ve had one too many. That’s pretty ballsy. That’s liquid courage.
Exclusive Recipe: The Gentleman Caller
OC Alcohol Scale*: 9
“It’s a big drink. It’s for people who drink straight whiskey but want a cocktail.”
2 oz Old Overholt Rye Whiskey
3/4 oz Pierre Ferrand Dry Curacao
3/4 Golden Moon Amer Dit Picon
1/2 oz Carpano Antica Formula Sweet Vermouth
Combine ingredients and give it a long stir over ice. Strain over fresh ice and garnish with a lemon twist.
*OC's Alcohol Scale ranges from 1 ("like sippin' from a juice box") to 10 ("take me home—right now").
The Gentleman Caller. Photos by Jessica Chou 
What we're working with: whiskey, curacao, amer dit picon, and vermouth. 
Combine all of your liquids. 
Add your ice. 