Oscar-inspired cocktails toast the movies

SAN FRANCISCO - Movie magic will be the toast of Tinseltown on Oscar night, and what better way to bring the festivities couch-side than with a cocktail inspired by this year's nominees.

We asked mixologists from around the country to come up with award-worthy recipes. The results ranged from a classic cocktail that dates to the early days of flight to a bubbly concoction from the ice cream parlor featured in the family-friendly "Up."

So, dim the lights, set out the snacks and raise your glasses up, up in the air. Hurray for Hollywood.

Recipe note: Some recipes call for exotic ingredients; where possible, we've suggested alternatives. But if you're feeling adventurous, cocktail ingredients such as Parfait Amour, a purple-tinged liqueur, are available online and at some liquor stores.

A number of the drinks call for simple syrup, a common cocktail ingredient that is equal parts sugar and water. To make, heat 1 cup of water to near boiling. Add 2 cups of sugar, stirring until dissolved. Let cool before using. Refrigerate in an airtight container.

"AVATAR"

This cocktail uses Parfait Amour (or the more common blue curacao) to create a drink with a hue similar to the blue skin of the nature-loving Na'Vi in "Avatar." Imagine enjoying it under the Tree of Life.

AME NA'VI

Start to finish: 5 minutes

Servings: 1

1 1/2 ounces gin

1 teaspoon dry vermouth

1 teaspoon Parfait Amour or blue curacao

1 teaspoon orange juice (no pulp)

Orange peel, for garnish

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine all ingredients. Shake, then strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with strip of orange peel.

(Recipe from Rafael Jimenez Rivera, bartender at the Lobby Bar of the St. Regis in San Francisco.)

"CRAZY HEART"

Mixologist Tara Shadzi used bourbon in tribute to Jeff Bridges' washed-up country-western singer character in "Crazy Heart," and added roses for love.

SOUTHERN HEART

Start to finish: 5 minutes

Servings: 1

1 1/2 ounces bourbon

1 1/2 ounces elderflower liquor

Juice of 1/4 of a lemon

Rose petals (optional)

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine all ingredients except the rose petals. Shake, then strain into a cocktail glass. Float fresh rose petals on top.

(Recipe from mixologist Tara Shadzi at Skybar at Mondrian in Los Angeles)

"Up," a movie about an old man and his young neighbor who fly in a balloon-powered house to South America, includes some San Francisco Bay area landmarks, including the popular ice cream parlor, Fenton's Creamery, in Oakland. Fenton's master blender Scott Whidden came up with this recipe he says will take you "Up, up and away!"

CELEBRATION ICE CREAM FLOAT

Start to finish: 5 minutes

Servings: 1

Italian sparkling water

1/4 ounce orange syrup (such as Torani)

Premium vanilla ice cream

Fill a tall glass with sparkling water and the orange syrup. Mix, then stir 1 teaspoon of the ice cream into the soda until frothy. Gently top the soda with a scoop of ice cream.

(Recipe from Scott Whidden of Fenton's Creamery in Oakland, Calif.)