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Dragon, Boar, Dog
Nouveau cocktails for the new year

Q: I'm doing my cocktail presentation and I had a "Chinese New Year" topic in my mind. I have no idea what cocktail to do. Would you help me? I'm thinking about a layering method to make it look special.

-- Stella, Penang, Georgetown, Malaysia

A: Since Chinese New Year is the occasion, let's go with "dragon, boar and dog" as a theme. I believe the dragon is one of the four divine creatures of the Chinese and is said to dispel evil spirits. The boar symbolizes honesty and tolerance and the dog represents honesty and faithfulness. Sounds like a party to me.

For the dragon I would use brilliantly colored liqueur: 2 oz Midori, 1 oz Blue Curacao to make a teal-colored combination. Combine these gently in a separate glass. Then in a rocks glass fill the bottom with grenadine (about 1/2 oz) then fill glass with ice.

Using a spoon pour the Midori/blue Curacao mixture trying mot to upset the red below. (you may want to add a dash of club soda before your pour the blue/green mixture. Garnish with two star fruit.

For the dog I would layer a shot with 1 white crème de cacao, 2 Kahlua or coffee liqueur and 3 Amaretto. If you feel lucky, top with whipped cream.

The boar would have to be non-alcoholic, unless that is a prerequisite for the recipe (if needed add 1 1/2 oz white rum). The basis of the drink would be a strawberry frappe. In a blender combine seven fresh strawberries cut in half, 1 1/2 oz vanilla syrup (or white rum), 1/2 tsp lime juice, 4 or 5 ice cubes and one scoop strawberry ice cream or sorbet. Blend until creamy. Pour into tall chilled glass. Top with club soda. Garnish with orange wheel, 1/2 strawberry and fresh mint.

Test these out and see which you make the best. Good luck with your presentation.

Cheers!
Miss Cocktail