“Billions” Ice Ball Cocktail. Photo: elit vodka.
Watching TV is so much better with drinks. And you know you’ll be watching this Sunday, when Billions returns for its Season 2 premiere on Showtime. Expect plenty of tension, head-butting, backstabbing, revealed secrets, and sexiness in the sophomore season of this New York high finance drama.
Each of these adult beverages was created by Brent Lamberti, an elit vodka global brand ambassador, with the central Billions characters in mind. Which one fits your palate and personality?
Chuck Rhoades
Wouldn’t you, like U.S. attorney Chuck Rhoades, just love to say, “The only enemy more dangerous than a man with unlimited resources is one with nothing to lose. And that is what you are looking at right here,” to your arch enemy? A dude can dream…or summon the courage with this cocktail.
Ingredients:
- 2 parts elit vodka
- 1 part fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 part honey syrup
- 1/2 part ginger syrup
- 1/4 part smoky Scotch
Preparation:
Shake all ingredients with ice except for the Scotch. Strain and pour into a rocks glass over 1 large ice cube and then slowly top with the Scotch over the back of a bar spoon. Garnish with a lemon wheel.
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Bobby Axelrod
“What’s the point of having ‘fuck you money’ if you never say ‘fuck you’?” says blue-collar man turned billionaire hedge fund manager Bobby “Axe” Axelrod. You might not be able to say “fuck you” financially, but you can get pleasurably fucked up with this classy cocktail.
Ingredients:
- 3 parts white truffle infused elit vodka
- Dash of dry vermouth
- 1 truffle cheese-stuffed olive for garnish
Preparation:
Pour all of the liquids straight from the freezer into a frozen martini glass. No mixing needed. Garnish with olive.
Lara Axelrod
“I come from a long line of scrappers. We learn to get rid of our weaknesses so we can fight better,” proclaims Lara Axelrod. Blonde, blue-eyed, and innocent-looking though she may be, this chick is cutthroat. Channel her sweet chutzpah with this cocktail.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 parts elit vodka
- 1 part dry white wine
- 3/4 part fresh lemon juice
- 1 part simple syrup
- 6 seedless red grapes
Preparation:
Muddle the grapes with the simple syrup in the bottom of a mixing glass. Add the other ingredients with ice. Shake and fine strain over ice into a wine glass and garnish with fresh grapes.
Wendy Rhoades
In the first season, high-intensity performance coach Wendy Rhoades was caught between her work husband (Bobby Axelrod) and her real husband (Chuck Rhoades). After telling both men where to get off, she’s now faced with the task of setting new boundaries. Stay as cool, calm, and collected as she’ll have to with this cocktail.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 parts elit vodka
- 3/4 parts Dolin Blanc vermouth
- 1/2 part Cocchi Americano
Preparation:
Stir all ingredients with ice until cold. Strain into a chilled coupe that has been seasoned with a spray of absinthe. Garnish with a lemon twist.
Billions Ice Ball Cocktail
Can’t relate to any of these characters? That’s OK. New York bartender Rael Petit has you covered with this fancy cocktail fit for a king…or someone who just wants to drink like one.
Ingredients:
- 1 part elit vodka
- 1 part Dolin Blanc vermouth
- Gold flake garnish
Preparation:
Inject vodka and vermouth into a hollow ice sphere. Garnish the ice sphere with gold flakes and serve in a martini glass.
