Category Archives: Daily Holidays

Daily holidays with drink recipes weaved into the theme.

Champs Elysées Classic Cocktail

Posted on April 5, 2013 | Comments Off

Champs Elysees Cocktail 008 photo copyright Cheri Loughlin

The Champs Elysées Cocktail is a classic cocktail that is beginning to make a comeback on more bar menus. It tucks in rather nicely with other classic cocktails such as the Sazerac, Blue Moon, Last Word, Blood & Sand and Aviation. When time is taken to measure and blend these classic cocktails correctly, they are superb!

I was pleasantly surprised to find the Champs Elysées Cocktail recently on the I.O. Speak cocktail menu at Indian Oven. It reminds me a little of a Sidecar without the obvious sugared rim. Chartreuse is an interesting diversion from the Sidecar’s usual Cointreau inclusion. I’ve altered the drink recipe below just slightly to my taste. The cocktail recipe I found calls for 1/2 ounce simple syrup and 1 dash Angostura bitters. I preferred a little less sweet and the peach bitters complemented the flavors in this cocktail perfectly in my opinion.

Champs Elysées Cocktail

1-1/2 ounce Cognac

1/2 ounce Green Chartreuse

3/4 ounce Lemon Juice

1/4 ounce Simple Syrup

2 dashes Peach Bitters

Lemon Twist

Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with lemon twist.

Some recipes include an optional 1/2 egg white in the drink recipe for texture. If adding egg white, include egg white with other liquids to shaker before ice. Dry shake to blend. Add ice and then shake again vigorously to blend and chill. Strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with lemon twist.

The Champs Elysées cocktail is named after the touristy northwestern Parisian boulevard; Avenue des Champs-Elysées. This classic cocktail is an ideal cocktail to celebrate Bastille Day, July 14, or the world famous bicycle race, Le Tour de France.

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Posted in Classic Cocktails, Daily Holidays

Tagged Angostura Bitters, Bastille Day, Champs Elysees Cocktail, Chartreuse, Classic Cocktail, Cognac, Fresh Lemon, Le Tour de France, Peach Bitters, Simple Syrup

Peanut Butter & Jelly Shot & Cocktail

Posted on April 2, 2013 | Comments Off

Interesting to note, the average child consumes 1,500 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches before reaching graduation. There doesn’t seem to be a statistic surrounding the consumption of Peanut Butter and Jelly shots, but there should be one. Perhaps there should also be a statistic for the number of shots consumed before the average person finishes college. Then again, maybe not.

The PB&J shot recipe (and peanut butter and jelly flavor combination) is so popular there are vodkas flavored to taste similar to the brown bag sandwich many of us grew up eating in elementary school. In fact, there are numerous shot and cocktail recipe variations to the classic Peanut Butter & Jelly flavor combination.

It’s time to put down the brown bag. Pick up the shaker and pour a snack.

April 2 is National Peanut Butter & Jelly Day

Peanut Butter & Jelly Shot – created by Cheri Loughlin

1/2 ounce Silver Rum

1/2 ounce Peanut Crème Liqueur

1/2 ounce Raspberry Liqueur

1/2 ounce Half & Half

Fresh Raspberry Garnish – optional

Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into shot glass.

Cocktail Glass Recipe Variation: increase rum and liqueurs to 1 ounce each, Half & Half to 1-1/2 to 2 ounces. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled cocktail glass.

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Posted in Cocktails, Daily Holidays, Shot-tails, Shots & Shooters

Tagged Half & Half, National Peanut Butter & Jelly Day, Peanut, Peanut Rum Liqueur, Raspberries, Raspberry Liqueur, Shot-tails

2 Blood Orange Vodka Spring Drink Recipes

Posted on March 31, 2013 | Comments Off

SKYY Infusions Blood Orange Vodka Bottle with Tasting Glass 097

The classic Negroni cocktail recipe is always a personal favorite go-to drink for summer or winter sipping enjoyment. When it was time to review the SKYY Infusions Blood Orange Vodka, a variation of the Negroni instantly came to mind. Blood orange and grapefruit flavors both go rather nicely with the Negroni flavor profile. They seem to thin the drink recipe out a bit for warmer weather sipping. This makes the drink a great refresher. The cocktail recipe variation below just might be the ticket for soaking up a little sunshine.

By the way, March 31 is Oranges and Lemons Day. A Vodka infused with orange or blood orange would be perfect for the day!

Blood Orange Negroni

1 ounce SKYY Infusions Blood Orange Vodka

1/2 ounce Campari

1/2 ounce Sweet Vermouth

2 ounces Club Soda

Orange Slice Garnish

Fill highball glass two thirds full with ice. Add liquids to glass in order given, topping with club soda last. Garnish with orange slice.

If you feel like sipping something a little different (Orange Sorbet, Prosecco, SKYY Blood Orange Vodka and Orange Juice), then check out the Blood Orange Sgroppino drink recipe photographed and described in great visual detail on the Italian La Bella Vita blog. This cocktail looks amazing and sounds delicious!

Orange Breeze

2 ounces SKYY Infusions Blood Orange Vodka

1/2 ounce Pineapple Juice

1/2 ounce Cranberry Juice

1/2 ounce Lemon Juice

Orange Twist or Orange Slice Garnish

Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with orange twist or orange slice garnish. (More drink recipes like this one provided by Campari America on flickr in the SKYY Infusions Blood Orange tag.

What is SKYY Infusions Blood Orange Vodka?

Vodka infused with natural blood orange flavors. SKYY Infusions Blood Orange is made with real blood oranges and SKYY Vodka. It is carefully infused with all-natural ingredients with the goal of irresistibly crisp, fresh taste and lusciously sweet blood orange. – Information printed on bottle label

70 Proof / 35% alcohol

Suggested Retail Price:$15 to $19 range depending on area

Availability: Main market area is United States and Canada.

SKYY Infusions Blood Orange Vodka Tasting Notes

Color: Clear

Aroma: Reminds me of opening a fresh bag of candy sweet tarts. Powdery sweet with bit of sugary tartness. Makes my mouth water a little. No burn.

Tasted Neat: Sweetness, though it is minimal. Very little burn. Orange with hint of bitter, like the oily skin of orange. Not lush. Bit fruity like you might expect from cocktail fruit juice, but not as sweet. Definitely reminds me more of candy flavor rather than natural fruit flavor. Slightly artificial tasting as it doesn’t seem to roll over the tongue with layered lushness. Seems a bit one dimensional in its streamlined flavor.

Review sample courtesy representatives of Campari America

Cheri Loughlin Beverage Consultant & Photography Services

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Posted in Cocktails, Daily Holidays, Reviews

Tagged Blood Orange Negroni, Blood Orange Sgroppino, Blood Orange Vodka, Campari, Campari America, Club Soda, Cranberry Juice, Fresh Lemon, La Bella Vita, Negroni, Orange Breeze, Orange Vodka, Oranges and Lemons Day, Pineapple Juice, SKYY Infusions Blood Orange Vodka, SKYY Vodka, Sweet Vermouth, Vodka

Campari & Cynar Potable Bitter Cocktails

Posted on March 15, 2013 | Comments Off

Time to celebrate! March 16 is National Artichoke Heart Day!

Dashes, splashes and dabs of bitters have become quite the growing trend in cocktails. Bitters add the faintest hint of nuance to drinks beyond garnishing. Flavors meld together in balanced harmony. Reluctant flavors that might otherwise get lost in the shuffle are given a breath of life by a few robust drops of precise flavor essence. But the small batch specialty bottles of bitters wafting about on back bars and marinating in mason jars with secret recipes aren’t the only bitters mixing magical cocktails.

The flip side to the pungent world of bitters is the potable or drinkable one. Campari is a well-known potable bitter used often in the classic Negroni. Cynar is another. Cynar is a complex Italian digestif often associated with the artichokes it is made from. It contains great depth of flavor from the many botanicals included in the creation process, making it an incredibly complex spirit to work with in cocktails. It works exceedingly well with citrus such as orange juice, grapefruit juice and lemon flavors. The richness of flavor is versatile enough to balance well whether you’re a gin or bourbon fan. Don’t let the category of potable bitter fool you. This isn’t unpleasant bitterness. There’s sweetness, spice, depth and strength of character in the spirit.

The Picket Fence – Ba’sik, Brooklyn

1 ounce Flor de Cana 7 Year Rum

3/4 ounce Cynar

1/2 ounce Lime Juice

1/2 ounce Simple Syrup

Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled cocktail glass.

Amer Mousseux – Bouchon, Yountville, CA

1 ounce Cynar

1/2 ounce Campari

1/2 ounce Fresh Orange Juice

3 ounces Brut Champagne

Orange Twist

Combine Cynar, Campari and juice in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled champagne flute. Top with champagne. Garnish with orange twist.

Cocktail recipes sponsored by representatives of Campari America. @CampariAmerica on Twitter – Campari America on Facebook

Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon – str8upcocktails @ gmail.com – ©2012 Cheri Loughlin-The Intoxicologist, All Rights Reserved. All opinions, reviews and spirits’ coverage are the personal opinion and decision of Cheri Loughlin.

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Posted in Cocktails, Daily Holidays, Sponsored Posts

Tagged Amer Mousseux, Campari, Campari America, Champagne, Cynar, Flor de Cana Rum, Fresh Lime, National Artichoke Heart Day, Orange Juice, Potable Bitters, Rum, Simple Syrup, The Picket Fence

Oreo Cookie Cocktail & Shot

Posted on March 6, 2013 | Comments Off

For many a day doesn’t get much better when it begins as National Oreo Day. It doesn’t matter if you eat them directly from the package. Who can do that by the way?! If you’re a twist, lick and dunk in milk sort of person. Or if your must have Oreo is the super double stuffed kind. *Raising hand* on that one. The honest to goodness truth is there isn’t a wrong way to consume an Oreo. And yes, that includes enjoying the Happy Hour kind.

March 6 is National Oreo Day

Oreo Cookie Shot 3 photo copyright Cheri Loughlin

Oreo Cookie – 2 shots or 1 cocktail

3/4 ounce Vodka

3/4 ounce Coffee Liqueur

3/4 ounce Crème de Cacao

3/4 ounce Irish Cream

Oreo Cooke Garnish

Dip rims of two shot glasses coffee liqueur. Dip into crushed Oreo cookies. Set aside. Place liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into prepared cookie rimmed shot glasses. Alternative: Shake and strain into chilled martini glass. Serve with Oreo cookie on the side.

Oreo Cookie Shot

1/2 ounce Kahlua Coffee Liqueur

1/2 ounce Crème de Cacao

1/2 ounce Baileys Irish Cream

Splash of Vodka

Layer liqueurs in order given. Layer by gently pouring each liqueur over back of bar spoon one on top of the other. Top with thin layer of vodka.

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Posted in Cocktails, Daily Holidays, Shot-tails, Shots & Shooters

Tagged Baileys, Coffee Liqueur, Creme de Cacao, Irish Cream, Kahlua, National Oreo Day, Oreo Cookie, Oreo Cookie Shot, Shot-tails, Vodka

Easy Barefoot Mulled Merlot

Posted on March 3, 2013 | Comments Off

Mulled wine might be most closely be associated with holiday celebrations, but ironically has a single day in March devoted to celebrating its spicy warmth.

March 3is National Mulled Wine Day.

Pull out all the stops (pans, graters, measuring cups and timers) to make an old fashioned traditional mulled wine in an hour or so, or cut right to the chase and enjoy a satisfying and enjoyable cup of Easy Barefoot Mulled Merlot in a few minutes. The choice is yours. Cheers!

Easy Barefoot Mulled Merlot – created by Cheri Loughlin

3 ounces Barefoot Merlot Wine

2 teaspoons Brown Sugar

1/2 ounce Orange Juice

Pinch Ground Cloves and Ground Nutmeg

Cinnamon Stick Garnish

Place liquids and spices in heatproof measuring cup. Microwave for 30 to 60 seconds to warm. Stir with cinnamon stick. Recipe can also be multiplied and slow heated in sauce pan over low heat for multiple serve.

Cocktail recipe commissioned by Barefoot Wine & Bubbly – @BarefootWine on Twitter – BarefootWine on Facebook

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Posted in Corporate Mixology, Daily Holidays, Wine Cocktails

Tagged Barefoot Merlot Wine, Barefoot Wine & Bubbly, Brown Sugar, Cinnamon, Cloves, Cocktail Development, Easy Barefoot Mulled Merlot, Mulled Wine, National Mulled Wine Day, Nutmeg, Orange Juice, Wine, Wine Cocktails

Banana Cream Pie Shots

Posted on March 2, 2013 | Comments Off

Traditional banana cream pie calls for buttery graham cracker crust or flaky baked dough crust, layers of freshly sliced bananas, topped with creamy custard and fresh whipped cream or meringue. But quick fix Banana Cream Pie served in a shot glass is way more my speed. Dessert in a glass. Sipping dessert. Just the way I like it. How about you?

March 2 is National Banana Cream Pie Day

Keep in the spirit of a traditional layered Banana Cream Pie with a layered shot.

Layered Banana Cream Pie

1/2 ounce Coffee Liqueur

1/2 ounce Licor 43

1/2 ounce Banana Liqueur

Layer chilled spirits in large shot glass or shooter glass. Layering can be achieved by gently pouring spirits over back of bar spoon one on top of the other. Order heaviest weighted spirits to lighter weighed spirits.

It’s always more fun to share dessert. It’s even more fun to share a shot of dessert. This Banana Cream Pie shot recipe is slightly different, shaken rather than layered and built for sharing. Party on!

Banana Cream Pie – Serves 2

1/2 ounce Banana Liqueur

1/2 ounce White Crème de Cacao

1/2 ounce Vodka

1/2 ounce Half & Half

Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into two shot glasses.

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Posted in Daily Holidays, Shot-tails, Shots & Shooters

Tagged Banana Cream Pie, Banana Liqueur, Coffee Liqueur, Creme de Cacao, Half & Half, Layered Banana Cream Pie, Layered Shot, Licor 43, National Banana Cream Pie Day, Shot-tails, Vodka

El Toro

Posted on August 2, 2012 | Leave a comment

If you can’t take the heat… perhaps combine a little spice with watermelon and tequila. El Toro is spicy sweet goodness with terrific summery feel. But do be careful. The light watermelon flavor does pack fabulous spicy heat.

El Toro – created by Cheri Loughlin

2 measures Camarena Reposado Tequila

6 large Watermelon Chunks

1/4 Red Chili Pepper – seeded

1/4 measure Lemon Juice

Watermelon Slice Garnish

Place watermelon chunks and red chili pepper in mixing glass. Muddle to release juice and chili pepper spice flavor. Add remaining liquids with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into large rocks glass over fresh ice. Garnish with watermelon slice.

Cocktail Recipe commissioned by Camarena Tequila Representatives

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Posted in Corporate Mixology, Daily Holidays

Tagged Camarena Tequila, Chili Pepper, Corporate Mixology, El Toro, Fresh Lemon, National Watermelon Day, Tequila, Watermelon

Camarena Chipotle Cooler

Posted on July 24, 2012 | 2 Comments

Such a refreshing smoky twist to the ordinary thirst quencher. Camarena Chipotle Cooler contains significant smoked spice, cutting through the pineapple sweetness somewhat so the juice and lemonade blend harmoniously in lilting effect.

Camarena Chipotle Cooler – created by Cheri Loughlin

2 measures Camarena Reposado Tequila

1 measure Pineapple Juice

1/2 measure Triple Sec

Pinch Chipotle Chili Pepper Spice

2 measures Lemonade

Lemon Wheel Garnish

Combine liquids and spice in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend. Strain into highball glass over fresh ice. Garnish with lemon wheel.

Cocktail Recipe commissioned by Camarena Tequila Representatives

→ 2 Comments

Posted in Corporate Mixology, Daily Holidays

Tagged Camarena Chipotle Cooler, Camarena Tequila, Chipotle Pepper, Corporate Mixology, Lemonade, National Tequila Day, Pineapple Juice, Tequila, Triple Sec

Frozen Sangria Margarita

Posted on May 5, 2012 | Leave a comment

Sangria swirled throughout the base margarita makes a delicious festive treat. Subtle wine notes weave sweetness in with traditional citrus tart of the margarita. This wonderful frozen treat is easily accomplished with simple blender and freezer. No need for slushy machines at home. Added bonus… the base recipe without sangria added makes a great variation on the traditional margarita. It’s like two cocktails in one! Now that’s something to celebrate.

Frozen Sangria Margarita – created by Cheri Loughlin

2 measures Camarena Silver Tequila

1 measure Premium Orange Liqueur

3/4 measure Lime Juice

3/4 measure Lemon Juice

3/4 measure Spiced Orange Syrup*

1-1/2 cup Crushed Ice

2 measures Bottled Sangria – chilled

Orange & Lime Wedge Garnish

Place all ingredients except Sangria in blender. Blend until completely smooth. Place in freezer for 2 to 3 hours or overnight to firm. Shake container occasionally so mixture does not separate ingredients while freezing. When ready to serve: In wine goblet or decorative glass, alternately layer frozen tequila mixture with 1/4 to 1/2 measures of chilled Sangria. Garnish with orange and lime wedge.

*Spiced Orange Syrup – created by Cheri Loughlin

Zest of 1 Orange

10 to 12 Whole Cloves

1 heaping tablespoon Whole Allspice

3/4 cup water

1-1/2 cup Organic Cane Sugar

Place all ingredients in saucepan over medium heat. Heat until sugar is completely dissolved (approximately 5 minutes). Strain. Discard zest and spices. Refrigerate syrup.

Cocktail Recipe commissioned by Camarena Tequila Representatives

Cheri Loughlin is a leading cocktail and photography resource for beverage companies, event planners, businesses and individuals. High resolution cocktail and beverage stock photography images are available in downloadable digital format in the newly redesigned Stock Photography Gallery at www.cheriloughlin.com.