Christmas Drinking with Celebrities, 1968
Favorite Drinks from Mia Farrow, Grace Kelly, Elizabeth Taylor & More
This was originally posted to my Substack.
Princess Grace Mint julep
In 1968, Town & Country asked twenty-three celebrities for their favourite Christmas drinks. Most included were actors, though there among the list are two couturiers (Cardin and Givenchy), one writer (my trashy fave Harold Robbins), a songwriter (Burt Bacharach), and a soprano (Maria Callas)—as well as one legend of drink-making, Trader Vic’s Vic Bergeron. I no longer drink alcohol, but reading through these ideas has made me seriously crave a non-alcoholic Christmas punch.
The following year, Town & Country published a follow-up, “My Favorite Christmas Recipe.” This time, instead of celebrities, it asked socialites and political wives, making for a much less interesting collection. I don’t know about you, but Mrs. Barry Goldwater and Mrs. Richard Nixon (as their names are styled in the issue) hold less appeal than Paul Newman and Katherine Ross—but let me know if you would like me to share those recipes, too.
For more holiday entertaining advice, two years ago, I shared an article from the December 1974 issue of Cosmopolitan that features “fabulous parties” given by “Lili Townshend—previously directrice of YSL’s first NYC boutique, turned art dealer,” fashion designer Carol Horn, and fashion publicist Anita Johnson.
Bob Hope
Mia Farrow Chablis and Soda
Peter Ustinov Montmarte
Pierre Cardin dry sherry
Elizabeth Burton and Richard Burton Dom Perignon champagne
Harold Robbins champagne cocktail
Katharine Ross Yule punch
Burt Bacharach Cafe Brulot
Trader Vic Bergeron Azteca
Hubert de Givenchy vintage champagne
Maria Callas vodka rocks sour pickle
Cary Grant scotch and water
Charles Aznavour Kirschwasser Punch
Paul Newman beer
Gene Kelly Alexander
Leslie Caron French surprise
Ricardo Montalban tequila punch
Anthony Quinn white wine
Andy Williams cocktail
Rock Hudson eggnog
William Holden spiced wassail
James Mason beachcomber