Cocktails: Do you fear what I fear?

By Michael Swan on December 23, 2010

IT'S GO TIME >>>

You mapped it out: disappear into the basement with your Sailor Jerry Rum and eggnog and wait this holiday madness out. But now Saturday is staring you straight in the face. Your guilt hurts like a mofo. Time to slap some O Holy Crap! on your face and buy local gifts for the fam and friends.

This will not be an easy task. It's beginning to look a lot like panic out there.  You'll need some extra holidays spirits flowing through your veins to make it through. I suggest loading up on these two local libations:

Pomegranate Martini at Hotel Murano Lobby Bar

Lobby Bar bartender Kristina has your back the next three days. She'll be delivering cocktails fireside from 4 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. tonight and 4-9 p.m. Christmas Eve and Day. The Murano offers a list of creative winter cocktails, including coffee drinks, for $10 and less. The lobby is decked out for a modern Christmas, including a giant white Christmas tree.  Kristina's go-to holiday drink is a pomegranate martini with Ketel One Oranje, pomegranate juice, Triple Sec and muddled oranges. The ingredients are shaken and poured into a sugar-rimmed martini glass. It's fantastic.

Nutty Monk at Crown Bar

The weather outside may be frightful, but inside the Crown Bar on Sixth Avenue, things are always warm and cozy. And a mug of their Nutty Monk ($8.50) can be a downright delightful nightcap after a marathon-shopping excursion. To make this traditional holiday treat, the Crown bartenders combine Jameson Irish Whiskey, Bailey's Irish Cream and Frangelico Hazelnut Liqueur with fresh coffee. The result is a strong, warm drink, served in a glass coffee mug and garnished with whipped cream and an orange rind. Then kick back with Dino, Chelsea and the crew next to their fireplace among what can only be described as a Christmas garland explosion. The Crown will be open today from 5 p.m. to close and Christmas Eve 5 p.m. to around 10 or 11 p.m.

LINK: Happy hours!