Tag Archives: Blackberry Brandy

Camarena’s Kiss

A kiss should be deep, full, rich and succulent. Camarena’s Kiss delivers with great lushness. The slight edge of blackberry flavor gives this drink an interesting tone that keeps you sipping for more. With its versatile twist from shot to champagne flute, Camarena’s Kiss can be enjoyed from Saturday evening to Sunday brunch. Pull up a shaker and stay a while.

Camarena’s Kiss – created by Cheri Loughlin

Camarenas Kiss - Cheri Loughlin Cocktail Development Services1/2 measure Camarena Silver Tequila

1/2 measure Blackberry Brandy

1/2 measure Lime Juice

1/4 to 1/2 measure Grenadine

Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into shot glass. 1/4 measure Grenadine lends itself to less sweetness. 1/2 measure Grenadine makes the shot a little more sweet.

Variation: Use 1/2 measure Grenadine for full sweetness. Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled champagne flute. Top with 2-1/2 measures Brut Champagne.

Cocktail Recipe commissioned by Camarena Tequila Representatives

Cheri Loughlin Photography - Cocktail Development & Photography Services

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

Camarena Cardamom Tequila Punch

Your parties will pop with this festive and easy Camarena Cardamom Tequila Punch. Cardamom brings lively flavor to the punch bowl that will keep your guests wanting more (and asking for the recipe).

Camarena Cardamom Tequila Punch – created by Cheri Loughlin

Camarena Cardamom Tequila Punch - Cheri Loughlin Cocktail Development Services12 ounces Camarena Silver Tequila

6 ounces Lemon Juice

4 ounces Blackberry Brandy

6 ounces Cardamom Syrup*

12 ounces Water

1/2 bottle Brut Champagne

1 Lime – Cut into Quarter Wheels

1 Orange – Cut into Quarter Wheels

1 Lemon – Cut into Quarter Wheels

1/2 Fresh Pineapple – Sliced into 1” Pieces

Combine all ingredients except champagne in large pitcher. Stir. Refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours or overnight. Top with champagne just before serving. Recipe can be multiplied by 2 for punch bowl size.

*Cardamom Syrup – created by Cheri Loughlin

1/2 cup Water

1 cup Cane Sugar

1/4 cup Cardamom Pods

Place cardamom pods in heat proof jar with lid. Set aside. Place water and sugar in saucepan over medium heat. Heat until sugar is completely dissolved (approximately 5 minutes). Pour heated syrup over cardamom pods. Stir briefly. Seal. Allow flavor to infuse for 24 hours. Strain syrup. Discard pods. Refrigerate.

Cocktail Recipe commissioned by Camarena Tequila Representatives

Cheri Loughlin Photography - Cocktail Development & Photography Services

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

Reader Question: What to Make with Sambuca

Bartender Shaking Cocktail - photo copyright Cheri Loughlin - 2

Tzvika from Israel wrote in saying:

“I just spent four hours reading your blog…and it is just amazing!  I have a little question.  I got a bottle of black Sambuca…what kind of cocktails can I make with it.  Thank you.”

Tzvika,

First of all, thank you for taking so much time to pour through the material on my site.  It is wonderful that you found it so informative.  My regret is that you did not find everything you were looking for.  However, I am so happy you decided to take the time to email me. 

Sambuca is an Italian liqueur flavored with aniseed that is most often found in clear or “white” form.  Other varieties are deep blue in color, referred to as black Sambuca, and bright red, red Sambuca.  Black Sambuca usually has a hit of lemon zest flavoring along with the anise. 

The most common ways of serving Sambuca is neat, on the rocks, with fresh water added, or in coffee in place of sugar.  Sambuca con mosca (neat with coffee beans floated atop) is a common Italian way of serving Sambuca.  Flaming Sambuca is also interesting and eye catching as there really is nothing like setting alcohol on fire before throwing it down the gullet. 

Black Widow

1-1/2 measure Citrus Vodka

1-1/2 measure Black Sambuca

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

Folly Martini

2-1/2 measures Coffee Vodka

1/4 measure Sambuca

Coffee Beans Garnish

Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend & chill. Strain into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with coffee beans floated on top.

Gotham Martini

3 measures Vodka

1/2 measure Blackberry Brandy

1/2 measure Black Sambuca

Fresh Blackberries Garnish

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

Licorice Martini

2 measures Coffee Liqueur

1/2 measure Sambuca

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

Buca-Cinco

3/4 measure Sambuca

1/2 measure Gin

2 measures Half & Half

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

Bullet Martini

1 measure Gin

1/4 measure Sambuca

Splash Lemon Juice

Splash Simple Syrup

Lemon Twist Garnish

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

Plenty Good

3/4 measure Black Cherry Vodka

3/4 measure Sambuca

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

White Cloud

3/4 measure Sambuca

1/2 measure Vodka

3 measures fresh Coffee

Whipped Cream Garnish

Place sambuca and vodka in heat proof mug. Top with fresh hot coffee. Garnish with whipped cream.

Five Points Sazerac

1/4 measure Blood Orange Bitters

1 measure Canadian Whisky

1 measure Sambuca

Lemon Twist & Maraschino Cherry Garnish

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

Con Mosca

1-1/4 measure Sambuca

1 measure Club Soda

3 measures Cranberry Juice

Lemon Twist Garnish

Place ice in highball glass. Add liquids in order given. Stir. Garnish with lemon twist.

Cheri Loughlin Photography - Cocktail Development & Photography Services

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.

 

Blackberry Scot

Blackberry Scot cocktail commissioned for Hiram Walker - created by Cheri Loughlin - photo copyright Cheri Loughlin

Blackberry Scot – created by Cheri Loughlin

1-1/4 part The Glenlivet Single Malt Scotch Whisky

1/2 part Hiram Walker Blackberry Flavored Brandy

2 parts Teas’ Tea Golden Oolong Tea

Fresh Blackberries Garnish if desired

Build in a highball glass over fresh ice.  Garnish with fresh blackberries if desired.  *Fresh made Golden Oolong Tea may be used in place of pre-bottled.  Cool tea before preparing drink recipe.

Cheri Loughlin specializes in cocktail creation and photography.  Customized cocktail creation is offered for liquor brands, businesses, bars & restaurants and individuals.  Cocktail recipes and photos are commissioned for creation with specific spirits, themes, type of cocktail and ultimate placement in mind for brands, bars & restaurants and individuals.  For more information about cocktail creation and photography please contact Cheri Loughlin at str8upcocktails@gmail.com.

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

Going for Gold

DonQ Anejo Rum Right DonQ Gold Rum Left photo copyright Cheri Loughlin

DonQ Gold Rum Tasting Notes

40% alcohol. 80 proof.

DonQ Gold Rum Tears with Notes photo copyright Cheri LoughlinStraw color to gold. Reminds me of hay rides in warm fall weather. Very pleasant.

Aroma: Tad sharper on the nose than DonQ Anejo Rum. More relaxed sugar cane than molasses. Vanilla notes soften the sugar.

Taste: Also thinner than the Anejo. Much more burn. Vanilla bean more pronounced. A bit of alcohol hotness. Slight banana note with citrus peel.

Rum Runner long drink seems natural progression for the feel of DonQ Gold. The Rum Runner is also a fairly easy way to lose track of an evening rather quickly. Sip slowly.

Rum Runner – adapted by Cheri Loughlin

Rum Runner - DonQ Rums photo copyright Cheri Loughlin1 ounce Gold Rum

1/2 ounce Blackberry Brandy

1/2 ounce Crème de Banana

1/2 ounce Pineapple Juice

1/2 ounce Orange Juice

1/4 ounce Anejo Rum

Orange & Pineapple Slice, Maraschino Cherry Garnish – optional

Combine all liquids except anejo rum in shaker with ice. Shake to blend. Strain into large rocks glass or tall glass over fresh ice. Garnish with fruit if desired. Float Anejo Rum on top.

Tropical, sweet. Banana comes through primary. Would be terrific blended with ice. Might even be great with coconut cream. If optional garnish is used be sure to take the time to allow the fruit to marinate in the cocktail before eating. It’s delicious that way!

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

DonQ Gold Rum sample for review courtesy representatives of DonQ Rum. All opinions, reviews and spirits’ coverage contained within are the personal opinion and decision of Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist.

Burgundy & Gold Cocktails Rally Washington Team Spirit

Washington, D.C., is home to seven professional sports teams which include men and women athletes who work and play hard.  Though basketball, soccer, hockey and baseball rank high in the world of professional sports, there is nothing like the excitement of Monday Night Football to keep the chill of fall at bay when winter’s frost waits eagerly in the Gold Rushing Shot photo copyright Cheri Loughlinshadows.  Tonight enjoy a few colorful burgundy and gold cocktails for spirited football fun while watching the Washington Redskins take on the Philadelphia Eagles.

Gold Rushing Shot – adaption by Cheri Loughlin

1 part Goldschlager

1 part Tequila

Chill spirits. Combine in shot glass.

Burgundy & Gold Margarita – created by Cheri Loughlin

Burgundy and Gold Margarita - photo copyright Cheri Loughlin2 ounces Reposado Tequila

3/4 ounce Premium Orange Liqueur

1/2 ounce Agave Syrup

1 ounce Lime Juice

1/4 ounce Blackberry Brandy

Lime Wedge Garnish

Salt

Rim chilled cocktail glass with salt if desired. Set aside. Place tequila, Cointreau, agave syrup and lime juice in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill thoroughly. Strain into prepared cocktail glass over fresh ice. Float blackberry brandy over top.Wine Glass copyright Cheri Loughlin

Burgundy Cocktail

2 parts Dry Red Wine

1 part Cognac

1/2 to 3/4 part Crème de Cassis

Place liquids in mixing glass with ice. Stir until completely chilled. Strain into large wine glass.

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.

Explore Prohibition Cocktails with Canadian Club & Boardwalk Empire

Try to stop the flow of liquor to throngs of people and what happens?  Someone somewhere finds a source and supplies the demand.  Canadian Club Whisky may have been the unofficial sponsor of Prohibition in America by default due to proximity to the border, but Canadian Club officially scored a lucrative position with bootleggers, mob bosses and those wanting to smuggle a little spirited action over the border during the roaring 20’s.  Canadian Club legally produced liquor during the 20’s in Canada.  Underhanded and wily men such as Al Capone operated lucrative smuggling operations using illegally made United States liquor and spirits obtained from over the border.  The new HBO series, Boardwalk Empire, explores the era of Prohibition.  Look closely and you’ll see Canadian Club incorporated throughout the show.

Boy’s Club Cherry Sour – created by Cheri Loughlin

Boy’s Club Cherry Sour with Canadian Club created by Cheri Loughlin - The Intoxicologist2 parts Canadian Club Whisky

3/4 parts Fresh Lemon Juice

1/2 part Fresh Orange Juice

1 part Maraschino Cherry Juice

2 dashes Angostura Orange Bitters

Orange Wheel and Maraschino Cherry Garnish

Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice.  Shake vigorously until frothy.  Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice.  Garnish with orange wheel and maraschino cherry.  Optional egg white may be added in cocktail shaker with liquids if desired for more froth effect.

Boardwalk Manhattan – adapted by Cheri Loughlin from classic Manhattan

Boardwalk Manhattan with Canadian Club adapted by Cheri Loughlin - The Intoxicologist2 parts Canadian Club Whisky

3/4 part Red Vermouth

1/2 part Apricot Brandy

Barspoon Maraschino Cherry Juice

Maraschino Cherry Garnish

Place barspoon maraschino cherry juice and maraschino cherry in well of chilled martini glass.  Set aside.  Place remaining liquid ingredients in mixing glass with ice.  Stir until chilled.  Strain into prepared martini glass.

Tea-Totaller Teaser – created by Cheri Loughlin

Tea-Totaller Teaser with Canadian Club created by Cheri Loughlin - The Intoxicologist1-1/2 part Canadian Club Whisky

1/2 part Blackberry Brandy

3/4 part Cassis

3/4 part Fresh Lemon Juice

3 parts Blackberry Sage Tea or Plain Tea

Lemon Wedge – optional

Build ingredients in tall glass over fresh ice leaving tea as final topper.  Garnish with lemon wheel if desired.

Every formal affair needs an appropriate drink to dress the occasion in style.  The classic Old Fashioned needn’t be served in a martini glass to demand respect.  This particular drink demands attention with its sophistication and flair, much like gentlemen dressed to the nth degree with top hats and tuxes with tails.  Feel free to serve this drink for any circumstance (formal or casual) since it is a continual favorite of whiskey lovers everywhere.

The Top Hat – adapted by Cheri Loughlin from the classic Old Fashioned

The Top Hat with Canadian Club adaption by Cheri Loughlin - The Intoxicologist2 Maraschino Cherries

1/2 thick sliced Fresh Orange

4 dashes Angostura Bitters

4 dashes Orange Bitters

2 parts Canadian Club Whisky

Place fruits and bitters in cocktail shaker with ice.  Muddle.  Add Canadian Club Whisky and ice.  Shake vigorously to blend.  Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice to remove unnecessary pulp.

Find Canadian Club Whisky on Facebook and @cc_whisky on Twitter.

Canadian Club Whisky provided for the purpose of cocktail sampling and creation courtesy SHIFT Communications

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.

National Comic Book Day: Super Hero Cocktail Recipes

Do you follow a favorite super hero through the pages of comic books?  If so, you might be interested to know that today has been set aside as National Comic Book Day.  Perhaps a masked man wearing spandex tights will be lurking around the corner handing out free comic books.  Better yet a damsel in distress (with broken high heel shoe of course) about to be preyed upon by some evil bad guy will be in your path today and you can swoop in to save the day.  You will be the super hero of your own comic book.

Who are the favorite super hero comic book stars of all time anyway?  I don’t really have the answer to that question, but the top answer on my Twitter page hands down was Spiderman.

White Spider - Comic Book Cocktails - photo property of Cheri LoughlinWhite Spider

1 ounce Gin

1 ounce Lemon Juice

1/2 ounce Cointreau

1 teaspoon Simple Syrup

Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.  Shake to blend and chill.  Strain into a cocktail glass.

White Spider starts sweet first and then moves to tart quite quickly.  Right away it smoothes again with a vanilla finish leaving one with the feeling that another sip is in order to decipher what just happened.  This is similar to extremely well made lemonade that will come around full circle and bite you where it really counts if you keep sipping and wondering what just happened.  Soon enough the White Spider will let you know it just did you in.

Back in the day of Spiderman cartoons on television all the guys thought Angelica Jones, A.K.A. Firestorm, was the bomb…or bombshell that is.

Spiderman Movie - photo from creative commons use siteBombshell

1 part Tequila

2 parts Dry Marsala

Splash Campari

Splash Cherry Brandy

Lemon Twist Garnish

Combine the ingredients in a rocks glass over ice.  Garnish with lemon twist.

Iceman was also one of Peter Parker’s college friends who always plunged from the sky on his own super ice ramp.  Sure beats a ski lift any day, but imagine the melt down cleanup…

Frostbite - Comic Book Cocktails - photo property of Cheri LoughlinFrostbite

1 ounce Tequila

3/4 ounce White Crème de Cacao

3/4 ounce Heavy Cream

Grated Nutmeg Garnish

Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.  Shake until cream becomes nice and frothy.  Strain into a cocktail glass.  Garnish with grated nutmeg.

Frostbite makes a fabulous dessert style cocktail.  Use tequila with kick to it; something with depth of character, spicy in base.  Skip the mixto and go for 100% agave with pepper, vanilla and caramel note to complement the cacao and nutmeg.  This drink recipe isn’t too heavy on sweetness, but long on satisfaction.

Batman fans are truly in luck.  As one Twitter user pointed out Batman’s character strengths were his lack of ‘super human power’.  His super power happened to be detective work and dedication to honing his physical perfection.  It didn’t hurt that he was massively wealthy and could afford every super toy imaginable, but that’s another story.  Batman’s character list is long as well as the cocktail recipe possibilities that could be paired with any number of them friend or foe.

Batman - photo from creative commons use siteThe Dark Knight

1-1/2 ounce Sambuca

4 ounces Cola

1/2 ounce Homemade Grenadine

Maraschino Cherry Garnish

Build in a highball glass over ice, topping off with grenadine as float.  Garnish with maraschino cherry.

Gotham Martini

3 ounces Smirnoff Vodka

1/2 ounce Blackberry Brandy

1/2 ounce Black Sambuca

3 Blackberries for Garnish

Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled one-third full of ice.  Shake ten to fifteen seconds.  Strain into a well chilled martini glass.  Add blackberries on a skewer for garnish.

Gotham – created by Robert Hess 2002

1/2 teaspoon Absinthe

3 dashes Peach Bitters

2 ounces Brandy

Lemon Twist Garnish

Coat a chilled small rocks glass with absinthe.  Add peach bitters and brandy.  Garnish with lemon twist.

Cat got your tongue?  Drooling over the feline qualities of Cat Woman with her nicely ripped up and haphazardly sewn together leather duds?  Every girl needs an outfit like that with whip and high heels to match.

The Reluctant Tabby - Comic Book Cocktails - photo property of Cheri LoughlinThe Reluctant Tabby – created by Gary Regan

1-1/4 ounces Dubonnet Rouge

1/2 ounce Limoncello

1/4 ounce Scotch Whisky

Lemon Twist Garnish

Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.  Shake to blend and chill.  Strain into a wine goblet.  Garnish with lemon twist

This is just a fun little cocktail.  The Reluctant Tabby plays up Dubonnet Rouge with fantastic appeal.  Possibly it’s the Scotch that downplays the sweet factor of limoncello.  Whatever it is, it just works.  Dubonnet just rolls over the tongue with luscious sophistication and flavor.  Love this little sipper.  Gary Regan created a winner here…of course.

Catwoman Nine Lives - photo from creative commons use siteCat’s Eye

2 parts Gin

1-1/2 parts Dry Vermouth

1/2 part Kirsch

1/2 part Lemon Juice

1/2 part Water

Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice.  Shake until frost forms on the outside of the cocktail shaker.  Strain into a chilled goblet.

If the Joker happens to be your favorite villain with his wicked grin…

Joker Man Who Laughs - photo from creative commons use siteDry Smile

1 part Mandarin Vodka

1 part Cinzano Extra Dry

1/2 part Orange Curacao

Juice from 1/2 Lemon

1 tablespoon Strawberry Syrup

Pineapple Juice to Taste

Strawberry Garnish

Combine vodka, Cinzano, Curacao, lemon juice and strawberry syrup together in a cocktail shaker with ice.  Shake to blend.  Strain into a tall glass over fresh ice.  Taste.  Add pineapple juice to create the desired finished taste to your liking.  Garnish with strawberry.

The most bizarre, albeit fun, answer I received when asking about superhero favorites was Bananaman.  This was one I’d never heard of, but saw a short video firsthand as ‘proof’ of his existence.  It appears he begins as a boy, so it seems appropriate this superhero begin with a Mocktail recipe rather than cocktail.

Banana Man Comic John Geering Art - photo from creative commons use siteBanana Coffee Break

10 ounces Milk

4 tablespoons Coffee Powder

5 ounces Vanilla Ice Cream

2 Bananas – sliced and frozen

Brown Sugar to taste

Pour milk and coffee powder into blender and combine.  Add half of the ice cream and combine again.  Continue to add remaining ice cream until all is thoroughly blended.  Add bananas and brown sugar to desired sweetness level.  Blend until thoroughly combined.  Divide mixture between two glasses.  Garnish with fresh banana slices if desired.

Since adults enjoy a good read about Bananaman…the adult cocktail to suit those needs.

Banana Cocktail

1 part Advocaat

1 measure Crème de Banane

1 ripe Banana

Club Soda

Combine Advocaat, crème de banane, and banana in a blender with one cup ice until thoroughly blended.  Pour into a chilled highball glass.  Top with club soda.

Find a few more interesting daily cocktail dates and holidays to celebrate by following the link.

Cheri Loughlin Photography - Cocktail Development & Photography Services

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