Tag Archives: Apricot Brandy

Enjoy a Toast with Bubbly Champagne

Posted on May 22, 2013 | Leave a comment

Enjoy a toast with some bubbly champagne.

There are many reasons to raise a glass and enjoy a toast or two throughout the year. We celebrate engagements, weddings, anniversaries and promotions with a bottle of bubbly, a few words and clink of the glass. We brunch with friends and enjoy a toast over Mimosas and French 75’s and laugh about the “remember when” times. There are so many moments in life to celebrate; it seems a shame to reserve bubbly for just the highlights.

Bust out the bubbly and enjoy a toast to sunshine, laughter, relaxing with a good book or simply enjoying the sparkling fizz tickle your nose.

Enjoy a Toast with The Duchess

Enjoy a toast with The Duchess – recipe and photo by Mixologist Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist

The Duchess – recipe by Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist

1 ounce Apricot Brandy

3/4 ounce Orange Juice

1/4 ounce Peach Schnapps

3 ounces Brut Champagne or Sparkling Wine

Peach Slice Garnish

Combine brandy, orange juice and peach schnapps in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into champagne flute. Top with Brut Champagne or Sparkling Wine. Garnish with fresh or frozen peach slices.

Champagne Terms and What They Mean

Hibiscus flowers in champagne flutes. Spanish Cava in champagne bucket. – photo by Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist

Méthode Champenoise, Champagne Method and Méthod Traditionnelle mean a sparkling wine is produced in the manner of traditional champagne, but cannot be designated as champagne because it does not come from the Champagne region.
Cava is sparkling wine from Spain
Spumante is sparkling wine from Italy
Blanc de noirs is French for “white from black” or white wine from black grapes. Black or dark red grapes have white flesh and dark skins. The champagne is usually pale yellow to silver toned.
Blanc de blancs is French for “white from white.” These champagnes are almost always made from Chardonnay grapes with rare exceptions.
Rosé or Pink Champagne is produced by either allowing the clear juices to briefly macerate with the darker grape skins or by adding a small amount of red wine during blending.
Brut means there are less than 12 grams of residual sugar per liter
Extra Dry is slightly sweeter than Brut with 12 to 17 grams of residual sugar per liter

Hold champagne flute at an angle when pouring champagne into glass. – photo by Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist

Champagne’s ideal drinking temperature is 45 to 48 degrees Fahrenheit

A properly chilled bottle of champagne is less likely to spew when opened. This is why it is important to chill champagne in a champagne bucket with ice and water before opening.

Hold champagne flute at an angle when pouring champagne into glass. This preserves the most bubbles.

Post sponsored by Wine Chateau – All commentary and opinion by Cheri Loughlin

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Posted in Champagne & Bubbly

Tagged Apricot Brandy, Champagne, Orange Juice, Peach Schnapps

3 Sea Breeze Drink Recipe Variations

Posted on April 26, 2013 | Comments Off

Many of us have come to know the Sea Breeze drink as one of the more popular drinks of the 70’s. But did you know the Sea Breeze was really a Prohibition Era recipe born in the late 1920s? This makes the Sea Breeze a drink to add to your growing list of classic cocktails.

Sea Breeze Cooler & Galliano Breeze

The 1920s version of the Sea Breeze contained gin and grenadine. By the 1930s it became the Sea Breeze Cooler with gin, apricot brandy, grenadine, lemon juice and mint sprig garnish. I’ve seen internet chatter of a later version of the Sea Breeze using Galliano and Blue Curacao, but I’ve been unable to find an exact recipe. However, I did find a Galliano Breeze on Italian Food that you might find interesting.

We know how to make the modern day version of the Sea Breeze, so let’s talk about how to convert it for low calorie consumption.

Low Calorie Ocean Breeze

The Sea Breeze drink is a simple three ingredient cocktail. This makes flavor substitution a breeze for low calorie drink recipes. Take advantage of superbly crafted vodka flavor infusions for quick, low calorie cocktails. Rely on fresh squeezed fruit juice and low calorie bottled fruit juices.

Ocean Breeze – created by Cheri Loughlin

1 ounce Ruby Red Grapefruit Vodka

3 ounces Light Cranberry Juice

1/2 ounce Fresh Grapefruit Juice

Grapefruit Wedge Garnish – optional

Combine liquids in highball glass over fresh ice. Garnish with small grapefruit wedge if desired. – Approximately 88 calories (I used Charbay Vodka while creating this cocktail, but use the brand you like the best.) Find calorie counts for some spirits and mixers in the Counting Calories chart found on this site.

The Sea Breeze drink recipe is a member of the New England Highball family of recipes. It enjoys company with the Cape Cod or Cape Codder, Bay Breeze, Madras, Sex on the Beach, Woo Woo and a few other off-shoot drink recipes. These drinks are ideally shaken over ice to create a foamy surface on the top of the drink before serve. Perhaps this is a reminder of the surface of the sea.

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Posted in Low Calorie

Tagged 3 Ingredient Cocktail, Apricot Brandy, Blue Curacao, Charbay Vodka, Classic Cocktails, Cranberry Juice, Galliano, Galliano Breeze, Gin, Grapefruit Juice, Grapefruit Vodka, Grenadine, Low Calorie Cocktail, Lower Calorie, New England Highballs, Ocean Breeze, Sea Breeze, Sea Breeze Cooler

Costa Del Sol

Posted on April 13, 2012 | Leave a comment

If you’re ready for a sugar coma, step right up. Costa Del Sol in its original formulation delivers a sugar punch in need of immediate insulin injection. But this easy build three ingredient cocktail is ready made for reconfiguration. Costa Del Sol 010 - photo copyright Cheri Loughlin

Original Recipe: 2 measures Gin, 1 measure Apricot Brandy, 1 measure Premium Orange Liqueur, No Garnish

Costa Del Sol – adapted by Cheri Loughlin

2 measures Gin

1/2 measure Apricot Brandy

1/4 measure Premium Orange Liqueur

2 dashes Orange Bitters

Orange Twist Garnish

Build in rocks glass over fresh ice. Garnish with orange twist.

This variation still contains sweetness, but softer with underlying bitterness. As the liquid marinates in the glass a tiny bit of fruit lushness begins to shyly sneak through. This is a one-time drink for me, rather than, “bartender, I’ll have another.”

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

Tagged 3 Ingredient Cocktail, Apricot Brandy, Costa Del Sol, Gin, Orange Bitters, Premium Orange Liqueur

Barefoot Bubbly Brut Cuvee Champagne

Posted on December 21, 2011 | Leave a comment

Valencia

1-1/2 measure Apricot Brandy

1/2 measure Orange Juice

3 dashes Orange Bitters

Brut Champagne

Combine brandy, orange juice and bitters in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled champagne flute. Top with brut champagne.

The Barefoot Bubbly Brut Cuvee bottle photo is available for digital download in the Wine & Spirits stock photography Gallery.

Find The Intoxicologist on Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon or Email: str8upcocktails@gmail.com – Copyright 2011 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

Barefoot Bubbly Champagne sample for review courtesy representatives of the brand

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Posted in Cocktails, Winery

Tagged Apricot Brandy, Barefoot Wine & Bubbly, Champagne, Orange Bitters, Orange Juice, Stock Photography

Horin Gekkeikan Sake

Posted on December 20, 2011 | Leave a comment

Love the classic Sidecar? Then maybe it’s time to take this variation for a spin.

Sumo in a Sidecar

2-1/2 measures Sake

1 measure Apricot Brandy

1/2 measure Lemon Juice

Orange Twist Garnish

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

The Horin Gekkeikan Sake bottle photo is available for digital download in the Wine & Spirits stock photography Gallery.

Horin Gekkeikan Sake samples for review courtesy representatives of the brand

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Posted in Cocktails

Tagged Apricot Brandy, Fresh Lemon, Horin Gekkeikan Sake, Sake, Stock Photography

Apricot Daiquiri

Posted on September 19, 2011 | Leave a comment

Delicious twist on the traditional Daiquiri. Just hint of apricot flavor brings this perennial favorite into the realm of new and exciting for your next party or backyard barbeque.

Apricot Daiquiri – created by Cheri Loughlin

1-1/2 measure Rum

3/4 measure Apricot Brandy

3/4 measure Fresh Lime Juice

1/2 measure Simple Syrup

Lime Twist Garnish

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

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.

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Posted in Classic Cocktails, Daily Holidays

Tagged Apricot Brandy, Brandy, Daiquiri, Fresh Lime, Rum, Simple Syrup, Talk Like a Pirate Day

Classic Cocktail Basics

Posted on September 11, 2011 | Leave a comment

It is worth noting there is a reason particular drinks make the classic cocktails list. Classics are mixed frequently by professional bartenders around the world due to the notoriety of the cocktail and superb flavor. Some cocktails have a history so intertwined within the roots of the liquor industry that they cannot be ignored and will never become outdated.

Cocktails can be placed in categories of pre-dinner, after-dinner, long drink and popular. Cocktails within these categories range from the not so surprising Whiskey Sour, Manhattan and Old Fashioned to trendier drinks such as the Margarita, Cosmopolitan and Sex on the Beach. All of these drinks have taken their place in popular culture at one time. They rise and fall in popularity, yet have the staying power as foundation drinks of bartending.

Try a new favorite by sampling the rich history of classic cocktails.

Paradise Cocktail – pre-dinner cocktail

2 measures Gin

3/4 measure Apricot Brandy

3/4 measure Fresh Orange Juice

2 dashes Orange Bitters

Orange Twist Garnish

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

French Connection – after dinner cocktail

1 measure Cognac

1 measure Premium Orange Liqueur

Place warm water in brandy snifter. Swirl to warm glass. Discard warm water. Add liquids to heated glass. Serve.

Bull Shot – long drink

1-1/2 measure Vodka

Dash of Orange Juice

4 dashes Tabasco Sauce

Dash of Pepper

4 measures Cold Beef Broth

Orange Twist Garnish

Place all ingredients except garnish in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend. Strain into highball glass over fresh ice. Garnish with orange twist.

Japanese Slipper – popular cocktail

1 measure Melon Liqueur

1 measure Premium Orange Liqueur

1 measure Fresh Lemon Juice

Honeydew Melon Slice Garnish

Place liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with honeydew melon slice.

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.

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Posted in Classic Cocktails

Tagged Apricot Brandy, Cognac, Gin, Melon Liqueur, Orange Liqueur, Vodka

Moon River

Posted on June 29, 2011 | Leave a comment

Many Girls Night In evenings begin with popcorn, favorite movie and of course, cocktails. When it’s time to settle in for an indulgent evening full of movies, it’s time to bring out the classics. Many film stars from way back when have cocktails named in their honor, but there is also the flip side of movies with namesake cocktails. Audrey Hepburn made the movie sing, but remember the music from Breakfast at Tiffany’s?

Moon River

1/2 measure Dry Gin

1/2 measure Apricot Brandy

1/2 measure O3 Premium Orange Liqueur

1/4 measure Galliano

1/4 measure Lemon Juice

Brandied Cherry Garnish

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

Wonderful! Apricot Brandy and Galliano meld together seamlessly with the ideal amount of abundant orange playing through. Sip slowly!

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Posted in Cocktails, Girl's Night Out

Tagged Apricot Brandy, Audrey Hepburn, Breakfast at Tiffany's, Galliano, Gin, Girl's Night Out, Movie Cocktails, O3 Premium Orange Liqueur, Orange Liqueur

Peek into the Peculiar

Posted on March 30, 2011 | Leave a comment

Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey is such an unusual find. The aroma and taste meld together in an extraordinary contradiction of flavor personality. Those who consume this artisanal spirit with regularity speak of it with enthusiasm that rivals that of cult followings. It’s just that good, different or remarkable, depending on how one perceives it. Possibly it is the story behind the beginning of the brand combined with the flavor. No matter. Stranahan’s built whiskey from the ground up and continues to produce whiskey enthusiasts search for with vigor and hold in high regard.

Aroma: Maraschino cherry with barely there vanilla. Perfumed. Cotton candy sugar-ish like the sweetened lip gloss teenage girls use to wet their lips with for a perfectly polished shine.

Flavor: This is where Stranahan’s becomes exceedingly interesting. It’s the ‘POW’ factor – the ‘WOW’ factor – the ‘What the heck was that?!’ factor. Simply stated; Juicy Fruit gum sweet in the front with a beer chaser in the finish. This is a built in Colorado Car Bomb without all the mixers. The flavor is so bizarre one sip will never do. Stranahan’s finishes long and hearty with distinct notes of dark, robust beer head. Uncanny. Beyond unusual. Think along the lines of Western; straw, grasses, saddle and wool with underlying cereal grain.

Colorado Cherry – created by Cheri Loughlin

1 ounce Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey

1/2 ounce Apricot Brandy

1/4 ounce Vanilla Liqueur

1/2 ounce Dubonnet Rouge

Maraschino Cherry Garnish if desired

Combine liquid ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake or stir according to preference to chill. Strain into a small cocktail glass. Garnish with maraschino cherry if desired.

Ironically there is no cherry added to this concoction only the undertone of Stranahan’s itself, yet it flavors out distinctly cherry-ish with the ever present Stranahan ‘beer fizz’ on the back end. Extremely peculiar in a rather captivating manner.

Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey sample for review courtesy representatives of Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey.

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Posted in Reviews, Whiskey Cocktails

Tagged Apricot Brandy, Dubonnet, Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey, Vanilla Liqueur, Whiskey

Red Carpet Cocktails for Classic Glamour Goddesses

Posted on February 26, 2011 | Leave a comment

A real red carpet night out with the stars begins with red carpet cocktails with the oldies but goodies movie stars. Back in the day glamour wasn’t just something movie stars slipped into on Oscar night. Stars shined as if buffed and polished by the big wigs who shaped every nth of their career. Cocktail hour gatherings were met with tuxes and cocktail dresses with swanky sips in classy night clubs. Red carpet cocktails were defined by the people who sipped and shaped the movie industry.

Greta Garbo

Greta Garbo

1 ounce Brandy

1 ounce Dry Vermouth

1 ounce Orange Juice

1/4 ounce Grenadine

Dash Crème de Menthe

Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Stir or shake according to preference. Strain into large rocks glass over fresh ice.

Greta Garbo ranks number five on the 1999 American Film Institute’s female listing of 50 Greatest American Film Legends. The listing ranks the top 25 men and top 25 women in film. Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn top each respective list.

Marlene Dietrich

Marlene Dietrich

3 ounces Canadian Whiskey

2 dashes Angostura Bitters

1/2 ounce Orange Curacao

Lemon & Orange Wedge Garnish

Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake or stir according to preference. Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice. Garnish with lemon and orange wedge. Alternative serve: Strain into wine glass over fresh ice.

Marlene Dietrich ranks number 9 on the American Film Legends listing. She was one of the highest paid actresses of her time partly due to her glamorous femme fatale image. Earnest Hemingway is quoted as saying, “If she had nothing more than her voice, she could break your heart with it.”

Ginger Rogers

Ginger Rogers

1 ounce Gin

1 ounce Dry Vermouth

1 ounce Apricot Brandy

1/4 ounce Lemon Juice

Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled cocktail glass. Alternative: Muddled fresh ginger, Splash fresh lime juice, topped with champagne. Also: Mojito style using Ginger Syrup in exchange for Simple syrup, Gin rather than Rum and topping the drink off with Ginger Ale.

Ginger Rogers is quoted as saying, “Hollywood is like an empty wastebasket.” But she had a few Hollywood favorites too; Cary Grant, Lucille Ball, Lew Ayres and of course Fred Astaire. Even though Ginger Rogers has a cocktail named for her, she didn’t drink. Her home bar was stocked with her favorite; ice cream sodas. Ginger Rogers ranks number 14 on the American Film Legends listing.

Mae West

Mae West

3 ounces Brandy

1 Egg Yolk

1 teaspoon Powdered Sugar

Cayenne Pepper Garnish

Place ingredients in cocktail shaker. Dry shake. Add ice. Shake to completely blend and chill. Strain into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with light sprinkle of cayenne pepper. Alternative: 1 ounce Gin, 1/2 ounce Dry Vermouth, 3/4 ounce Apricot Brandy, 3/4 ounce Lime Juice, Dash Orange Bitters, Lemon Twist Garnish. Shake liquids with ice. Strain in cocktail glass. Garnish with lemon twist.

“Anything worth doing is worth doing slowly.” – Mae West. Well said and could definitely be applied to mixing and measuring cocktails or many other worthwhile ventures this Sex Goddess might have had in mind. Mae West is another non-drinking woman of film who made the number 15 slot on the American Film Legends list. Mae pushed the envelope on more than one occasion, but one prime example: She named the first play she ever wrote ‘Sex.’ Of course, one of my favorite quotes from this marvelous woman of film… “When I’m good I’m very good, but when I’m bad I’m even better.” My kind of woman.

Jean Harlow

Jean Harlow

2 ounces Light Rum

2 ounces Sweet Vermouth

Lemon Peel Garnish

Combine liquids in mixing glass with ice. Stir or shake to chill according to preference. Strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with lemon peel.

Dubbed the “Platinum Blonde” and “Blonde Bombshell” due to her vamped up party girl sex appeal on the silver screen, Jean Harlow made her way to the number 22 spot on the American Film Legends list. Jean Harlow was the first female star to feature on the cover of Life Magazine; May 1937. Jean died at age 26, yet made 36 movies during her short career.

Mary Pickford

Mary Pickford

2 ounces Light Rum

2 ounces Pineapple Juice

1 teaspoon Grenadine

1 teaspoon Maraschino Liqueur

Maraschino Cherry Garnish

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

Mary Pickford is as timeless as the classic cocktail named in her honor. She ranks number 24 with American Film Legends. Mary Pickford was known as America’s Sweetheart, but loved throughout the world. She was one of the founders of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences along with Charlie Chaplin and Douglas Fairbanks. She starred in 236 films during her career and received an Oscar for Lifetime Achievement in 1976. She was the first film star to have her name placed in marquee lights.

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Posted in Cocktails

Tagged American Film Institute, Apricot Brandy, Brandy, Canadian Whisky, Charlie Chaplin, Creme de Menthe, Douglas Fairbanks, Dry Vermouth, Earnest Hemingway, Gin, Ginger Rogers, Greta Garbo, Humphrey Bogart, Katharine Hepburn, Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur, Mae West, Marlene Dietrich, Mary Pickford, Orange Curacao, Oscars, Rum, Sweet Vermouth

Tag Archives: Apricot Brandy

Enjoy a Toast with Bubbly Champagne

Enjoy a Toast with The Duchess

Champagne Terms and What They Mean

3 Sea Breeze Drink Recipe Variations

Sea Breeze Cooler & Galliano Breeze

Low Calorie Ocean Breeze

Costa Del Sol

Barefoot Bubbly Brut Cuvee Champagne

Horin Gekkeikan Sake

Apricot Daiquiri

Classic Cocktail Basics

Moon River

Peek into the Peculiar

Red Carpet Cocktails for Classic Glamour Goddesses

Greta Garbo

Marlene Dietrich

Ginger Rogers

Mae West

Jean Harlow

Mary Pickford

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Tag Archives: Apricot Brandy

Enjoy a Toast with The Duchess

Champagne Terms and What They Mean

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Sea Breeze Cooler & Galliano Breeze

Low Calorie Ocean Breeze

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Greta Garbo

Marlene Dietrich

Ginger Rogers

Mae West

Jean Harlow

Mary Pickford

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The Intoxicologist Network

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