READER PICKS » Spicy Hotel Holiday Cocktail Menus

When developing creative cocktail recipes, Jason Gronlund, corporate executive chef, McIlhenny Company TABASCO brand products, Avery Island, Louisiana, recommends using ingredients like TABASCO brand sauces that add flavor without heat, pouring good-quality liquors, and adding drink garnishes.

Gronlund, who also serves as director of culinary services ingredient sales, advocates drink garnishes that:

• Match the "theme" of the drink.
• Are functional, edible, or drinkable. His yuletide Felice Navida Mary drink recipe, which includes TABASCO brand Green (Jalapeno) Pepper Sauce and TABASCO brand Chipotle Pepper Sauce, is garnished with cilantro and a chili-dusted tomato wedge.
• Aren't labor-intensive, which slows down bar operations.
• Aren't "overdone," which increases costs, yet adds nothing to the actual drink.
• Are "appropriate." His wintertime Silk Stocking drink recipe, which uses TABASCO brand Habanero Sauce, is cream-based and has no garnish.

McIlhenny Company manufactures five flavor varieties of TABASCO brand sauces, including Pepper Sauce, Green (Jalapeno) Pepper Sauce, Garlic Pepper Sauce, Chipotle Pepper Sauce, and Habanero Sauce. To obtain the above TABASCO cocktail recipes, log on to www.hfbexecutive.com, and visit Reader Picks recipes. --SBH

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