Getting into the holiday spirits

Todd Thrasher
A native Virginian, Todd Thrasher mixes some of the best libations on the East Coast at Restaurant Eve in Alexandria, Va. Thrasher also recently got a nod from Food & Wine when the magazine awarded him their Best New Wine List award, recognizing him as one of the "most influential trendsetters" in the wine world today.

The menu at Eve is graced by Thrasher's highly desirable Edenesque Cocktails — including the Pear of Desire, a specialty cocktail that combines Absolute Citron, a homemade pear liquid and an extravagant garnish of foie gras; the Purple Basil Colada, with Bacardi Limón rum, Captain Morgan Parrot Bay coconut rum, his custom “basil colada” mix and basil foam; and the Bubbling Scarlet, a seasonal cocktail that combines sparkling wine, vodka and pomegranate juice. “One of my favorite fruits is pomegranate,” says Thrasher.

But Thrasher's favorite winter cocktail is the Peppermint Paddy a tribute to both the classic candy and to Eve Chef Cathal Armstrong, who's Irish.  "It tastes just like the candy bar when you were a kid, Thrasher says.

Todd's secret weapon for the perfect cocktail: “My secret weapon is a soda siphon, which I use for several cocktails. It helps add bubbles and textures!”