The Intoxicologist

Holiday season brings a barrage of Christmas themed cocktails, a look back at nostalgic classics and a blitz of contemporary cocktails created by specialists in the field.  Hundreds of cocktail recipes pass through my view weekly.  Many are fabulous; head turning in fact.  But often what interests me is what is being stirred, shaken and whipped up in kitchens across the United States.  When best friends get together for girls night out, what are they mixing up with that bottle they purchased at the liquor store?  Yesterday in passing someone mentioned a cocktail they and their workmates drink.  It sounded interesting so I asked for more information. 

Cherry Samba – ala Julianna Cain

1 ounce Cherry Brandy

1 ounce Cachaca

1 ounce Lemon Juice

1 ounce Egg White

1 ounce White Cranberry

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.  Shake vigorously until egg is nice and frothy.  Strain into a champagne flute. 

The ingredients Julianna mentioned intrigued me, so I wanted to try this drink recipe right away.  However, traditional cranberry juice is all I had stocked at the time.  White cranberry juice is a little sweeter.  That being said before my tasting notation; Cherry Samba tastes great with a hint of bitter edge to it.  It does not veer too far to the sweet side like so many cocktails on bar martini listings today.  As Julianna aptly recognizes in her area of the country, many consumers are a little put off by raw egg white in cocktails, but it adds such nice froth to the drink.  The egg white is unrecognizable in the flavor of the drink.  If you make this cocktail for friends, they will never realize it is in there. 

Cheri Samba – adapted by Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist

Inspired by Cherry Samba ala Julianna Cain

3/4 part Hiram Walker Cherry Brandy

1 part Leblon Cachaca

3/4 part Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice

1/4 part Fresh Lemon Juice

1 part Egg White

Maraschino Garnish

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.  Shake vigorously until egg white is frothy.  Strain into a champagne flute.  Garnish with speared maraschino cherry.

Since many like a little sweetness added to the cocktail the Cheri Samba tweaks the original version Julianna sent out and adds a little variety with hint of sweetness.  The Cachaca comes through slightly more with a hint of sweet softness since the fresh lemon juice is dialed back in this version.  Maraschino cherry garnish is definitely not needed for taste, but adds a nice finishing touch. 

I would love to know what you mix up at home for your Girls Night Out, Poker Night or what your specialty drink happens to be.  Consumers of the United States are picking up bottles of spirits off the shelf of liquor stores and consuming them neat, on the rocks, in long drinks and cocktails.  Tell me – what cocktail have you created?

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Reviews – Classic Cocktails – Holiday Cocktails

Top 10 Classic Cocktails – 21 Must Try Classic Cocktail Recipes

Drink Recipes & Photos – Cocktails

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www.discus.org – Distilled Spirits Council of the United States

Copyright 2009 Cheri Loughlin – The Intoxicologist – All Rights Reserved