On November 11, 1982, I entered the world in Indiana, Pennsylvania, the same birthplace as actor Jimmy Stewart. Indiana is a small town built by generations of coal miners, and we were taught to revere Stewart’s Hollywood success.

So when the Lady Silvia’s Mike Goldstein told me about It’s a Wonderful Life, a cocktail designed by mixologist Ray Srp and named after one of Stewart’s movies, I couldn’t help but think that home always finds us. Sometimes even in a cocktail glass.

The moral of the film is that our success as people is not determined by our accomplishments or finances, but by our true friends.

As an homage to my hometown, this week’s libation is dedicated to honest, blissful, joyous celebration. It really is a wonderful life.

It’s a Wonderful Life

Ingredients:

1½ oz. Grey Goose Cherry Noir

½ oz. Chambord

6-8 mint leaves

1 oz. fresh lime juice

½ oz. simple syrup

club soda

Method: Muddle mint, lime juice and simple syrup in a tall glass. Add ice, vodka and Chambord. Finish with club soda and stir.