Implied in most dining experiences is the "What can I get you to drink?" aspect. This hit home on Christmas Day when my wife Eileen and I decided to eat at The Spice Palette in New London, our favorite new restaurant of the last year.

In buoyant spirit after the fine gifts Santa procured for her, Eileen wanted a festive cocktail. And it turns out that Nina Lijoy, who handles front of the house and co-owns the restaurant with her husband/chef Lijoy Varghese, invented many of the libations on their Drinks Specials menu. She recommended the drink below. Wow. A taste-spangled glass of cheer!

(It's a good thing Santa was driving home.)

ANAR ANJEERTINI (Pomagranate cocktail)

Ingredients

1.5 oz pomagranate vodka 

1 oz fig vodka 

1 oz cranberry juice

5 oz freshly squeezed lime

5 oz sweetened lime juice

Dash of grenadine syrup

1 oz fresh pomagranate juice

Directions

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice then add all the ingredients except pomagranate juice. Shake for about 30 seconds or until well chilled. Strain into a martini glass and top with fresh pomagranate juice. Garnish with slice lime and cherry.