The first snowstorm of the season had rolled in with a vengeance, blanketing the neighborhood in a thick layer of white. Inside his cozy apartment, Tom was in his element, assembling the ingredients for a cocktail he’d been wanting to try for weeks. He glanced out the window as the wind howled through the trees, flakes swirling madly under the streetlights. A knock at the door broke his concentration.

“Come in, it’s open!” he called, grabbing the bottle of dry gin. The door creaked open, and his friend Alex entered, cheeks flushed from the cold and a scarf wound tightly around his neck.

“You weren’t kidding about it being a cold one,” Alex said, shaking snow from his boots. “What’s on the menu tonight?”

Tom gestured to the bottles lined up on the counter. “I call it the Elk Martini. Dry gin, plum brandy, and a touch of dry vermouth. It’s got a sharpness to match the season but with a hint of fruit to soften the edges.”

Alex raised an eyebrow as he unwound his scarf and took a seat at the kitchen counter. “Plum brandy, huh? That’s not your usual go-to.”

“Exactly,” Tom said with a grin, pouring two ounces of dry gin into a shaker. “It’s not your everyday martini. The plum brandy gives it this rich, slightly sweet undertone that balances the dryness of the gin and vermouth.” He added half an ounce of plum brandy, followed by an ounce of dry vermouth. “Plus, it’s got a name that makes you think of snowy forests and winter adventures.”

“Fair enough,” Alex replied, watching as Tom filled the shaker with ice and gave it a confident shake. The metallic clatter was sharp and rhythmic, cutting through the quiet hum of the heater.

Tom strained the pale, crystalline liquid into two coupe glasses, the mixture catching the light with a faint shimmer. He reached for a small jar of dried orange slices, selecting one and placing it delicately on the rim of each glass. “There you have it, the Elk cocktail.”

Alex picked up his glass, inspecting it with mock seriousness before taking a sip. His eyes widened slightly. “That’s... wow. It’s crisp and bracing, like stepping into the cold air, but then the plum brandy hits, and it’s like you’re wrapped in a warm blanket by a fire.”

Tom chuckled, raising his own glass. “Exactly the vibe I was going for. Sometimes a drink needs to be more than just a drink, you know?”

The two settled into the living room, the fire crackling softly as snow continued to fall outside. They reminisced about past winters, shared stories of holiday misadventures, and let the conversation flow as easily as the cocktails. The Elk cocktail quickly became the centerpiece of the evening, its unique blend of flavors sparking moments of reflection and laughter.

By the time the storm began to ease, their glasses were empty, and the room was filled with the kind of warmth that only good friends and a perfectly made cocktail could provide. Tom leaned back in his chair, a contented smile on his face. “Well, Alex, looks like the Elk cocktail's a keeper.”

Alex raised an imaginary glass in agreement. “Definitely. Here’s to many more nights like this.”