Capitol Hill Mixer is a new, every now and then special on CHS featuring a local community star to celebrate and a Capitol Hill-inspired cocktail recipe worthy of the toast. Pairs nicely with our Capitol Hill Cooks recipe series. Enjoy.

Here are two great ways to get into the Holiday spirit, starting on where to purchase your holiday tree on Capitol Hill and ending with a libation created for just this season.

The cause
Year after year my partner Sam and I bundle up for the 13 block walk up to Dunshee House to pick out this year’s Christmas tree to put up in our home and decorate before we sit back to take in the fresh clean smell of pine. And yes, we do walk our prized tree back home. 

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If you live in Seattle there is no better place to purchase your tree than at Seattle AIDS Support Group (SASG). SASG/Dunshee House Annual Holiday Tree Sale is located at 303 17th Ave E at Thomas.

For the past 23 years, SASG has hosted its largest fundraising event, the annual Christmas tree lot. Beginning the day after Thanksgiving and running through December 23rd, the event is almost entirely volunteer driven. Not only will you be greeted by the finest examples of Noble Firs, Norway, Spruce, swags & wreaths but super friendly and helpful volunteers! Their attentiveness from helping you pick out that perfect tree just for you to strapping it to you car shows they want to be here, and it’s all for a great cause.

According to Joshua Wallace, Executive Director of SASG, this fundraiser accounts for more than 60% of their annual operating budget. All proceeds after the cost of the trees go directly to the services provided by SASG. In addition to HIV/AIDS support groups there are a variety of support groups and social activities focusing on health and well being of the LGBT community.

For more information on services provided by the community group — including addiction support… everything in moderation — visit its website at www.sasgcc.org. As you purchase your tree from SASG have fun doing it and enjoy the complimentary hot cocoa, or if you want a $5 off coupon for your tree purchase, volunteer! Volunteer shifts are available 7 days a week 9am-noon, noon-3pm, 3pm-6pm, and 6pm-9pm

The drink
Now that you know where to get your tree, why not follow it up with a cocktail reminiscent of the holiday’s itself. This drink is like Christmas in a glass. Some of the ingredients are a bit unusual, elderflower, allspice and stone pine liqueurs, but they play nicely with one another in just the right proportions. Do not worry about needing more than one bottle of these special liqueurs, a little goes a long way. So mix it up and Happy Holidays everyone!

St. Nicholas

• 1.5 oz Mt Gay Rum, Barbados
• .5 oz St Germain Elderflower Liqueur
• .25 oz St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram
• .25 oz Zirbenz Stone Pine Liqueur
• .25 oz. Fresh Orange juice
• .25 oz Fresh Lemon Juice

Glass: Cocktail (Martini)

Method: combine ingredients in your shaker, add ice. Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with something festive — red currants add a nice accent of color.

Veronika Groth is a 20+ year resident of Capitol Hill. Coming to the Hill as a punk teen she has worked as everything from baker to real estate agent.  A current mixologist at Poppy Restaurant, she is working on a collection of short stories highlighting various humorous, sometimes painful, experiences bartending in Seattle.