Tag Archives: Absolut Vodka

Review: Absolut SF Limited Edition

Absolut SF Vodka 010 photo copyright Cheri LoughlinVodka with grape, dragon fruit and papaya flavors

80 Proof / 40% alcohol

Suggested Retail Price: Within the $20 to $25 range / 750ml bottle

Availability: Released in May 2011 with limited edition status.

Absolute SF Vodka Tasting Notes

ABsolut SF Vodka 331 photo copyright Cheri LoughlinColor: Clear

Aroma: No burn on the nose. Light citrus. Bit of grape (succulent rather than tartly sweet). Reminds of tart citrus wine. Peaches. Faintest hint of perfumed sweetness, most likely from the papaya inclusion.

Tasted Neat: Compared with the aroma, there is barely any sweetness carrying through in the taste. Grape definitely comes through first, but muted rather than like a grape flavored vodka. Bit of burn. Metallic. Hint of bitterness. Bit of floral. Hints of apple come to the forefront once the spirit is chilled with ice. Flavor is nice, subtle.

Mouth Feel: Thin

Comparable Spirit: None come to mind off the top of my head. Keep in mind the Cities Editions are often unique with flavors, history and thoughts of the specific city they are designed with in mind.

Possible Uses, Pairings and / or Cocktails:

Might try with ginger ale for a bit of crispness. Simple syrup with splash of club soda or bubbly. Peach schnapps and cranberry. Possibly tonic or splash of lemon lime soda as topper would also be refreshing.Absolut SF Vodka 013 photo copyright Cheri Loughlin

Absolut Wild Parrot

1-1/2 ounce Absolut SF Vodka

1/2 ounce Lychee Liqueur

1/2 ounce Fresh Lime Juice

1/4 ounce Simple Syrup

2 ounces Cranberry Juice

Club Soda

Mint Leaves & Lime Slice Garnish

Combine liquids except club soda in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend. Strain into highball glass over fresh ice. Garnish with mint sprig and lime slice.

Review sample courtesy representatives of Pernod-RicardCheri Loughlin Photography - Cocktail Development & Photography Services

Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon – str8upcocktails @ gmail.com – ©2012 Cheri Loughlin-The Intoxicologist, All Rights Reserved.

Lower Calorie Cocktail: Mango Cran-Cooler

One summer afternoon not long ago I took a day trip to Kansas City to the Power & Light District.  Sitting at one of the open air bars looking at the small cocktail menu I had a difficult time deciding what to drink.  This is often the case as cocktail menus seem to have the same old thing (Margarita, Cosmopolitan, Mojito or an assortment of overly sugared cocktails disguised as Martinis).  While these are all perfectly fine choices they were not what I had in mind for a light and refreshing summer afternoon cocktail. 

Then Absolut Mango flavored vodka caught my eye.   I have wanted to try this particular flavor since of this year.  At that time there were three new cocktails, two of which looked extremely interesting with the use of jalapeño and sage.  Mango fruit carries such an interesting flavor with its rich sweetness and yet perfumed undertone.  This makes it perfect for spicy pairings, which is why it is often found in sweetened peppery foods such as Mango Salsa.  However, the sweetness of the fruit also creates an ideal base for free spirited summer cocktails.  Hoping to capture the flavor of Absolut Mango without watering it down with too much mixer I asked the extremely accommodating bartender if she would mind making a cocktail to order.  It was the middle of the afternoon without any other customers at the bar.  She was happy to oblige.  The simple recipe below is all I asked.  The Mango Cran-Cooler turned out to be exactly what the warm Kansas City afternoon needed for a summertime cool down. 

Mango Cran-Cooler – created by Cheri Loughlin

Mango Cran-Cooler created by Cheri Loughlin - photo copyright Cheri Loughlin2 measures Absolut Mango

2 measures Diet or Light Cranberry Juice

Lemon or Lime – Squeezed

Lemon or Lime Wheel Garnish

Build over ice in a tall glass. Garnish with lemons or limes. Stir.

This ends up with a slight grapefruit zing, but completely refreshing.  Personally I would opt for the Light Cranberry Juice rather than Diet Cranberry Juice which amounts to only a few calories more, but gives so much more flavor.  The diet version truly gives off the ‘diet’ after taste while the light version feels more authentic in flavor.  Total calories for this entire cocktail if you choose Light Cranberry Juice: 150 calories. 

Absolut Mango flavor is tropical in feel with the character of mango.  Absolut Vodka is winter wheat based.

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.

Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon – str8upcocktails @ gmail.com – ©2011 Cheri Loughlin-The Intoxicologist, All Rights Reserved. All opinions, reviews and spirits’ coverage are the personal opinion and decision of Cheri Loughlin.

 

Review: Absolut Brooklyn

The latest Absolut ‘Cities’ launch brings new flair to the Absolut bottle style with depiction of the omnipresent Brooklyn Stoop.  The bottle, designed by Spike Lee, embraces the foundation of the Brooklyn community with vibrant color.  Look closely to find clever mentions of Brooklyn within the stoop itself.  But most notable, the Lars Olsson Smith seal has been altered for the first time ever.  This limited edition Cities offering seal portrays Lars wearing a baseball cap and glasses reminiscent of Spike Lee.

Spiked Core created by Cheri Loughlin - photo copyright Cheri Loughlin

Absolut Brooklyn Tasting

Aroma: Fresh cut apples; juicy. No alcohol burn. Barely there hint of spice. Simple lusciousness indicating sweetness to the tiniest degree.

Taste: The ginger lies in wait beneath the aroma showing through as primary, glowing forth with subtle spicy charm.  Apple softens from the aroma of red juicy to fresh baked with hints of peel bringing a bit of depth to the fruit flavor.  Lots of spicy play with overlay of cinnamon and sprinkling of pie crust.

This takes me a little off guard, a bit surprising.  Not entirely an apple fan when it comes to cocktail and juice flavorings, I am quite taken by the appeal of this offering.  Though it seems a bit off season as to its spring to summer delivery since the spirit comes across more warming, Absolut Brooklyn delivers well on the palate.  This will definitely make bobbing for apples quite the treat at the next Halloween party when the season rolls around.

Spiked Core – created by Cheri Loughlin

2 measures Absolut Brooklyn

1/2 measure St-Germain Liqueur

1/4 measure Benedictine

1 measure White Cranberry Juice

1 measure Ginger Ale

Crystallized Ginger Round Garnish

Fill highball glass with ice.  Add liquids in order given.  Stir.  Garnish with crystallized ginger round inserted directly in drink.

This drink builds upon the core flavors of apple and spice by gently enhancing the fruited sweetness of apple with St-Germain and building upon the spicy overlay with Benedictine.  Choose to stop building the drink with the first three ingredients and a lovely warming cocktail emerges for fall to winter sipping.  Shake it over ice and strain into a martini glass.  Continue with all the ingredients over ice for a light and delicious apple inspired drink for summertime sipping.

This newest ‘Cities’ inspired offering honors and supports the Brooklyn community with Absolut Vodka donating $50,000 from profits from the sale of Absolut Brooklyn to Habitat for Humanity New York City. 

Absolut Brooklyn sample for review courtesy representatives of the brand.

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.

Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon – str8upcocktails @ gmail.com – ©2011 Cheri Loughlin-The Intoxicologist, All Rights Reserved. All opinions, reviews and spirits’ coverage are the personal opinion and decision of Cheri Loughlin.

Wild About Tea

Absolut Wild Tea 2 photo copyright Cheri Loughlin

Tea and elderflower combination has been blended before in the Absolut Boston Cities edition release. This time it appears Absolut Wild Tea is here to stay. Since tea is such a popular thirst quencher for many people and mingles well with a variety of flavors, it makes perfect since as flavor infusion for base spirits. Flavorful refreshment is always one or two easy mixers away.

Aroma: First whiff brings essence of sweet black tea as it pours and lingers in the air. Secondary aroma at the glass renders gentle sweet tea. Not much elderflower if one is looking for the same powerful wallop found in St-Germain liqueur. This is like a subtle breeze on a beautiful day.

Taste: Heat. Light sweetness. Fine hint of black tea bitterness. More elderflower definition. Black tea much stronger and deeper than I recall in Absolut Boston.

Cranberry, raspberry and peach come to mind as mixers for this flavored vodka blend. The beauty of cranberry juice is the ability to use light or diet versions as mixers. This creates lower calorie drinks for those who prefer alternative happy hour options.

Wild White Tea – adapted by Cheri Loughlin

Wild White Tea 1 photo copyright Cheri Loughlin1-1/2 ounce Absolut Wild Tea Vodka

3 ounces Light White Cranberry Juice

Frozen Cranberry Garnish – optional

Build over fresh ice in highball glass.

Light, refreshing, lower calorie drink for bikini season or anytime. Strong black tea flavor. Elderflower still carries through. Perfect poolside or for fun, worry free back yard entertaining.

Absolut Wild Tea Vodka sample for review courtesy representatives of Absolut Vodka.

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.

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.

Easy & Flavorful Lower Calorie Drinks for the Holidays

In honor of girlish figures, rows of light and diet fruit juices and an eye to keeping it simple the Raspberry Ringer drink recipe made its way to the cocktail glass one happy hour evening (and a few more since then I might add).  Delicious choices lining the cocktail bar do not always have to be filled with fresh lemon, lime, muddled fruit or layered with liqueurs and sparkling sodas to satiate the palate with fulfillment.  Sometimes all it requires is simplicity, a splash of flavor and additional display of charming garnish to capture the senses.  Instantly the cocktail glass has gone beyond simple non-descript lower calorie juice to spunky mixer for happy hour without the guilt.  Fashionable, flavorful, no muss.

Raspberry Ringer – created by Cheri Loughlin

Raspberry Ringer created by Cheri Loughlin photo property of Cheri Loughlin1-1/4 ounce Vox Raspberry Vodka

2 ounces Ocean Spray Light Cranberry Juice

5 frozen Cranberries Garnish

Combine over fresh ice in a cocktail glass.  Garnish with frozen cranberries floated on top.  Slowly sip with a straw to savor every drop.

For those who want a little bourbon cocktail without all the calories, the Apple Trace Teenie might be in order.  Light vanilla apple with Buffalo Trace Bourbon notes in the background.  The ‘sugar free’ flavor comes through a little too much for me with the gentleness of the apple, so skip the DaVinci Vanilla syrup if sweetness isn’t a necessary factor for you.  Enjoy the simple lilting of the apple tart instead.

Apple Trace Teenie – created by Cheri Loughlin

Apple Trace Teenie created by Cheri Loughlin photo copyright Cheri Loughlin1-1/2 ounce Buffalo Trace Bourbon

3/4 ounce Apple Juice

1 Lime Wedge Squeezed

1/4 ounce DaVinci Vanilla Sugar Free Syrup

Granny Apple Slice Garnish

Combine liquid ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.  Shake to blend and chill.  Strain into a cocktail glass.  Garnish with apple slice.  Approximately 120.5 calories (not including garnish)

When the house is filled with edible delectables and it seems there is nothing to mix with your favorite spirit, there is always something low-calorie cocktail friendly stored within the refrigerator or pantry. Coffee Mate and Cappuccino drinks make lovely on the spot mixers for on the fly deliciously satisfying cocktails.

Mocha Berry Teenie – created by Cheri Loughlin

Mocha Berry Teenie created by Cheri Loughlin photo copyright Cheri Loughlin2 ounces Bolthouse Farms Mocha Cappuccino

1 ounce Coffee Mate Chocolate Raspberry

1 ounce Bacardi Superior Rum

Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.  Shake to blend and chill.  Strain into a martini glass.  Garnish with one raspberry if desired.  Total calories: 144.5

The rum brings more notes of mocha and cappuccino out over the chocolate raspberry.  The drink is worthy of taking one’s time sipping for maximum pleasure.  If vodka is your preferred base spirit over rum, by all means switch it out in the drink recipe, but go for quality.  42Below Vodka or Stoli would be great choices since they both carry weight and character in the body.

Over on The Intoxicologist Facebook Fan page Barbara Winters recommended a cocktail based upon what days of the week one chooses to consume a cocktail:  ”Monday – Thursday” it is all about Absolut.  Barbara’s assessment of the cocktail, “Yummy! (hick-up!)” – Intoxicologist Notation: Barbara didn’t give a name for her cocktail creation or measurements, so I’ve taken the liberty at the good old fashioned American try at building and naming it. This is an excellent choice cocktail for relaxing at the end of the day.  It is light and fruity on taste without weighing one down on caloric intake.  Since it is a long drink it is also filling, leaving one with a fuller feeling after a single cocktail.

Ruby Weekdays - photo copyright Cheri LoughlinRuby Weekdays

1-1/4 parts Absolut Vodka

3 parts Light Ruby Red Grapefruit Juice

Splash of 7-Up (or Diet 7-Up)

Build ingredients in a highball glass over ice adding 7-Up last. Stir & serve.  If one were to use Diet 7-Up this cocktail would be lower in calorie overall.  The vodka weighs in at approximately 92 calories, grapefruit juice at 15 calories and Diet 7-Up at zero making Ruby Weekdays a 107 calorie cocktail – perfect for lower calorie weekday consumption.  Take this cocktail idea a step further by playing with your favorite Absolut flavor, light fruit juice and diet 7-Up or diet tonic water.

High resolution digital photo downloads are available for brand, cocktail menu creation use and individual use at www.cheriloughlin.com within the Beverages category.

Find The Intoxicologist on Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon or Email: str8upcocktails@gmail.com. Copyright 2010 Cheri Loughlin – The
Intoxicologist – All Rights Reserved. All opinions, reviews and spirits’
coverage contained within are the personal opinion and decision of Cheri
Loughlin, The Intoxicologist.

Happy Hour’s Alternative Cocktail Choice

Happy Hour martinis take many forms.  In times past the martini meant vodka or gin served straight up in a martini glass with possibly an olive or two bouncing happily to dirty the spirit.  This is no longer the case with bars serving alternate forms of cocktails with the word martini in the mix.  It causes lively debate over what constitutes a true ‘martini’ but what it boils down to for the majority of bar patrons is all in the taste.  The Alternating Kurrant Martini plays out simply sweet with just a touch of raspberry hinting through in the initial taste.  This cocktail flavors subtly with dry vermouth shadowing any harsh edges straight liquor sometimes brings to the taste experience.

Alternating Kurrant Martini - photo property of Cheri LoughlinAlternating Kurrant MartiniPurple Martini, Denver

3 ounces Absolut Kurrant Vodka

Splash Chambord

Splash Dry Vermouth

Lemon Twist Garnish

Combine liquid ingredients in mixing glass with ice.  Stir to chill completely.  Strain into chilled martini glass.  Garnish with fresh lemon twist.

Notation: Since this cocktail contains straight spirits and the idea is full enjoyment of a thoroughly chilled cocktail my recommendation when making this at home is as follows: half the recipe to 1-1/2 ounces Absolut Kurrant, 1/4 ounce Chambord and 1/4 ounce Noilly Prat Dry Vermouth.  This keeps the martini smaller but chilled throughout the entire sipping time for a more fulfilling experience.  Think measure, stir, strain, enjoy, repeat rather than gulping.  This keeps a cocktail at its ultimate pleasure point while sipping.

The Alternating Kurrant Martini recipe can be found in The Martini Companion by Gary Regan and Mardee Haidin Regan.  Find The Intoxicologist on Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon or Email: str8upcocktails@gmail.com

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

Copyright 2010 Cheri Loughlin – The Intoxicologist – All Rights Reserved

All opinions, reviews and spirits’ coverage contained within are the personal opinion and decision of Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist.

Absolut Berri Acai: Mint Condition Cocktail Spirit

Absolut Berri Acai Mixing and Muddling - photo copyright Cheri Loughlin

From the outset Absolut Berri Acai seems to have missed the mad rush on the super fruit high of the little Acai berry.  It has had its ups and downs in the press as to the magical benefits of consuming the little super fruit.  In my opinion when mixing Acai with liquor in any form the retention for health benefits becomes debatable, so the remaining factor becomes taste.  When it comes right down to it the Acai berry indeed infuses flavor into the spirit.  Absolut Berri Acai hit upon something rather unique with this particular flavor that surprised my tingling taste buds.

Absolut Berri Acai Tasted Neat - photo copyright Cheri LoughlinAroma: Candy-like, sweet, fruity, slight sweet tart catch-like tickle rises in the back of my throat when breathing in the fruity sweetness.  No alcohol burn on the nose.

Tasted Neat: Not sweet at all.  Definitely all vodka with some of the tattle tale burn.  As much as I hesitate to make the connection – there is the fairest hint of cough syrup flavor lingering in the finish reminiscent of days of youth.  I also detect a peculiar mint or refreshing feel in the after effect that I wasn’t quite expecting.  It is a minty fresh effect as if having just popped a refreshing berry-mint chewing gum stick in my mouth and breathed in deeply.  It is cool, lightly fruited and wafting mint as if lace just lilted over the tongue.  Quite surprisingly nice really since there is no sticky sweet in this vodka at all.

Tasted Chilled: Some of the burn fades when chilled straight.  Some berry flavors come across round, full and lush.  Absolut Berri Acai does not round out in this particular fashion.  It is an entirely different breed of character.

Berrily a Mojito 022 photo copyright Cheri Loughlin

Berrily a Mojito – created by Cheri Loughlin

10 Mint Leaves

3/4 part Simple Syrup

4 Blackberries

10 Blueberries

1/2 Lime – Juiced

1-1/2 part Absolut Berri Acai

Club Soda

Mint Garnish

Muddle mint leaves and simple syrup in bottom of mixing glass.  Add berries.  Muddle again three or four times being careful not to completely mash.  Add in juice of 1/2 fresh lime and Absolut Berri Acai with fresh ice.  Shake vigorously.  Strain into a highball glass over fresh ice.  Top with approximately 1-1/2 part Club Soda.  Garnish with mint leaf. Absolut Berri Acai Bottle Sample - photo copyright Cheri Loughlin

Traditionally Mojitos contain rum, but Absolut Berri Acai leant itself perfectly to this classic cocktail since the berry mint flavor came through astoundingly in the first round of sampling.  The Berrily a Mojito takes a few extra seconds to put together due to the muddling, but fresh is best with most cocktails.  This one samples out deliciously.

Absolut Berri Acai might not have round, lush and full going for it in the berry realm, but it definitely has creative possibilities for spring and summer cocktails and Sunday brunch champagne cocktails with puree filler.  Another definite plus for those Friday night party goers; Absolut Berri Acai will make an excellent base for fun and fruity shots to line the bar. 

Absolut Berri Acai Vodka sample for review courtesy representatives of Absolut Vodka.

Absolut Berri Acai vs Van Gogh Acai Blueberry - photo copyright Cheri Loughlin

Since readers already asked a comparison of Absolut Berri Acai Vodka versus Van Gogh Acai-Blueberry Vodka seemed necessary for completion of this review.  Van Gogh Acai-Blueberry contains thicker viscosity, is definitely sweeter and obviously exhibits beautiful color.  The cough syrupy flavor and alcohol burn show through a little with the Van Gogh Acai-Blueberry as well when sampled neat.  Over all I wouldn’t necessarily say Van Gogh’s flavor is any better or worse than Absolut Berri Acai for cocktail creation.  However, the upside of Van Gogh Acai-Blueberry is the color for aesthetics and 70 proof for lower alcohol content.  The downside is added sugar.  After the bottle has been opened the sugar granulates around the bottle top, so the fact there is sugar retained within the vodka cannot be denied.  It also makes it difficult to reopen the bottle since it creates a sugar seal.  Added sugar content makes it a little more difficult to add flavored liqueurs and juices for variety drinks without over sugaring cocktails.  Color can sometimes become an issue when adding in particular juices and liqueurs as color combines and sometimes one winds up with not so appealing colors of cocktails.  Van Gogh Acai-Blueberry prices out around $29.99 locally.  Absolut Berri Acai has not arrived on shelves locally, but Absolut flavored vodkas price out at $24.99.  Representatives for Absolut Vodka and Van Gogh Vodkas have both sent products for review past and present.  Neither have been shown preference in this comparison.

Cheri Loughlin Photography - Cocktail Development & Photography Services

Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon – str8upcocktails @ gmail.com – ©2012 Cheri Loughlin-The Intoxicologist, All Rights Reserved.

Absolut Boston Tea Flavor Parties Well with Drink Recipes

ABSOLUT Boston bottle line up - photo courtesy representatives of Absolut Vodka

When Absolut recently announced the release of its new ‘Cities’ edition, Absolut Boston with black tea and elderflower influences, my first thought was this bottling just had to be good.  Tea inspiration in cocktail recipes may be seen by the occurrence of cocktail competitions that embrace tea as the main ingredient with base spirit as the secondary factor.  Many inspired recipe creations stem from tea blends and evolve into cocktails or Mocktails depending on the bartender or mixologist who ‘razzle dazzles’ and tweaks the recipe to high perfection ultimately landing said recipe on a cocktail menu in renowned hot spots around the world.  Tea companies have come on board with recipe creations beyond the hot tea cup or iced tea glass and now serve up sophistication within wine and martini glasses complete with garnishes beyond the lemon wedge.  Absolut Boston took the idea a step further by infusing black tea with elderflower within the vodka for a flavor packed spirit ready to create a cocktail with little fuss and a whole lot of flavor.

Absolut Boston Neat - photo copyright Cheri LoughlinThe spirit itself smells exactly like clean, barely sweetened sharp black tea.  There is little burn on the nose.  Sipping neat there is little sweetness, but no sugary feel.  Some flavored vodkas carry significant sweetness in the flavor.  This is definitely not the case with Absolut Boston.  The feel is light.  Elderflower flavor flutters out around the edges with tepid burn.  It is more warmth that burn, but maybe a slight sting.  Then again, remember this is sipping vodka neat.  This would be quite nice with an ice cube to soften the edge without adding any additional flavor.  However, quite often I don’t mind my vodka straight or my spirits warm.  The essence of Absolut Boston hits its flavor target.  Shaken with ice to chill and served straight up would do rather nicely.  If you need just a hint of sweetness, my suggestion would be to add an eighth to quarter ounce of simple syrup to keep the authentic influences of the spirit or embellish them with the same measurements of St-Germain Liqueur. 

Before playing with Absolut Boston for cocktail creation purposes I did a little research…in the pantry.  It made sense to me to look at the array of tea boxes with their multitudes of flavors to see exactly what flavors are paired together with black tea.  Tea companies research consumer likes and dislikes and market products accordingly.  So, if you have a bottle of Absolut Boston at home take a cue from tea companies and what they pair with black tea compared with flavors you already like. 

Monumentally Raspberry Boston – created by Cheri Loughlin

Monumentally Raspberry Boston - created by Cheri Loughlin - photo copyright Cheri Loughlin7 Fresh Raspberries

1/2 measure Homemade Grenadine

1-1/2 measure Absolut Boston

2 measures Club Soda

Fresh Raspberry Garnish

Muddle fresh raspberries and grenadine in a mixing glass.  Add Absolut Boston and ice.  Shake to blend.  Strain into a Collins glass over fresh ice.  Top with two ounces club soda.  Garnish with fresh raspberries.  If fresh raspberries are unavailable, try using 1/2 ounce Chambord liqueur in place of the raspberries.  Taste for sweetness before adding in the grenadine.

Monumentally Raspberry Boston keeps the distinct flavor of Absolut Boston’s black tea roots while exploring the possibilities of fresh fruit inclusion.  Bright and lively without too much fuss.  Muddling takes a little more effort, but the payoff is usually worth it in the wonderful fresh taste.  Raspberry pairs wonderfully with the black tea and light elderflower flavors.

Boston Apricot Sidecar – created by Cheri Loughlin

Boston Apricot Sidecar - created by Cheri Loughlin - photo copyright Cheri Loughlin1-1/2 measure Absolut Boston

1/2 measure Apricot Brandy

1/2 measure Premium Orange Liqueur

1/4 measure Lemon Juice

Orange Twist Garnish

Combine liquid ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.  Shake to blend and chill.  Strain into a martini glass.  Garnish with an orange twist. 

The glowing effect of the Boston Apricot Sidecar cocktail turned out beautifully.  This is a loose adaptation of a traditional sidecar using vodka as the base spirit with Apricot Brandy inclusion.  Absolut Boston tea flavor still shines, but this time with some gorgeous vanilla highlights that no doubt stem from the Apricot Brandy and lemon combination.  Apricot and orange flavors can both be found frequently in black tea blends making them perfect choices for pairing with Absolut Boston.

Boston Girlfriend – created by Cheri Loughlin

Boston Girlfriend - created by Cheri Loughlin - photo copyright Cheri Loughlin1-1/2 measure Absolut Boston

3/4 measure Pomegranate Liqueur

1 measure Cranberry Juice

1/4 measure Lime Juice

Orange Twist Garnish

Combine liquids in a cocktail shaker with ice.  Shake to blend and chill.  Strain into a cocktail glass.  Garnish with orange twist. 

Ah, the Absolut Boston equivalent to a pomegranate Cosmo; the cocktail of girlfriends the world over.  Surely the numbers wouldn’t lie and a healthy percentage of women have sampled a variety of Sex and the City Cosmopolitan cocktails at one time or another.  Absolut Boston gives the Cosmo new dimension and complexity.  This lovely cocktail recipe turns out not too tart, is an easy mixer without the inclusion of specialty ingredients, fresh fruit or muddling and keeps the black tea influence flowing in the finish.  Pomegranate pairs charmingly well with black tea and may be found within many popular cocktails throughout the country.  The color makes this recipe a winner for the holiday season with its nice festive hue, too.

Absolut Boston Vodka sample for review courtesy representatives of Absolut Vodka. 

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.

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.