Fish and Shellfish

Seafood is always an elegant garnish and there are so many species that are perfect to sit on the rim of a glass or on a skewer. Steamed or boiled shrimp or crab claws look really dramatic.

Smoked fish brings out all the salty flavors in the drink. Fish like smoked salmon can be cut into thin strips and then rolled into a flower shape to top a skewer, and anchovies are found already rolled into coils right in the cans. Don’t use fish like smoked trout or smoked whitefish because the flesh has a tendency to break apart.

MOLLUSK MADNESS

While it takes some careful balancing, you can turn the top of your Bloody Mary into a raw bar. Make the drink in a Collins glass (because the diameter is fairly narrow) and then place a celery rib all the way down to the bottom. Across from the celery rib slide two lemon or lime wedges onto the rim, and then nestle a raw oyster or clam so it’s leaning on top of the lemons and securely wedged into the celery.