Tag Archives: Coconut Rum

Happy Birthday Italian Cream Cake Martini & Giveaway

Posted on May 13, 2013 | 7 Comments

Italian Cream Cake Martini inspired by my favorite dessert cake! – recipe and photo by Mixologist Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist

I shared my favorite cookie with you a few weeks ago when National Oatmeal Cookie Day graced the calendar. Today I’m sharing my all-time favorite cake with you; Italian Cream Cake. There isn’t a holiday for it that I know of. But, my birthday is tomorrow, May 14. If I’m not blowing candles out from a stack of Oatmeal Cookies, it’s usually from a homemade Italian Cream Cake.

Italian Cream Cake Martini is inspired by the Italian Cream Cake recipe for a Happy Birthday cocktail

My Happy Birthday Cocktail! – recipe and photo by Mixologist Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist

I rarely see this particular cake in many bakeries. When I do, it’s usually some sort of mix without all the bells and whistles. I like my cake with all the bells and whistles if you know what I mean. I want my Italian Cream Cake dense and full of shredded coconut, not just coconut flavoring. There should be walnut chunks packed in there. And I like this particular cake served ice cold. Cream cheese icing with shredded coconut and more nuts sprinkled in there, too. That sounds pretty picky, I know. But I rarely eat desserts. I figure if I’m going to eat it, I want to thoroughly enjoy it.

Italian Cream Cake Martini Recipe

This year I nixed actual cookies or cake from the birthday plan. But I still wanted to enjoy a little dessert decadence. Just as the Oatmeal Cookie gets its shot at cocktail heaven, the Italian Cream Cake receives its place in cocktail glory.

Italian Cream Cake Martini – recipe by Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist

1-1/2 ounce Vanilla Vodka

3/4 ounce Malibu Coconut Rum

1/4 ounce Frangelico Hazelnut Liqueur

1 ounce Cranberry Juice

3/4 ounce Pineapple Juice

Maraschino Cherry & Lime Peel Garnish

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

I did think about using Praline Pecan Liqueur or a walnut liqueur for more authentic flavor since Italian Cream Cake recipes usually call for pecans or walnuts. Hazelnut liqueur is a bit easier to find making this recipe accessible for more people. The flavor works perfectly. There is nice cake batter flavor with the Vanilla vodka. It blends wonderfully with the coconut rum for the coconut flavor I love so much in the original cake recipe. Nut and pineapple flavors round out the cocktail just right. Dessert in a glass. Gotta love it!

But what would a birthday be without gifts?!

The Birthday Giveaway

Lolita Birthday Candle Glass

Grey Goose Recipe Cards

Birthday giveaway includes Lolita Happy Birthday glass candle, Grey Goose recipe cards, Mary Kay skin care sampler set, Vosges truffles, Appletini Shower Smoothie, and a few more girly gifts shown in the photo. (Background items such as flowers not included)

Fill in entry form below:

I would love it if you shared this giveaway on Facebook. Sharing does not count as an entry but I would definitely appreciate it.

Contest open from May 13 – 31, 2013 midnight CST. Contest is only open to US residents over the age of 21. Please read the Giveaway Policy.

This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook. We hereby release Facebook of any liability. Winner will be contacted by email 48 hours after the giveaway ends.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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I would love to know… What is your favorite birthday cake, cookie, cocktail or dessert treat? Tell me in the comments section!

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Posted in Cocktails, Giveaways

Tagged Birthdays, Coconut Rum, Cranberry Juice, Frangelico, Giveaways, Italian Cream Cake, Italian Cream Cake Martini, Malibu Rum, Pineapple Juice, Vanilla Vodka

Take Me to the Tropics Sangria Recipe

Posted on April 19, 2013 | Leave a comment

A good Sangria recipe is one of the most adaptable drinks recipes one can make. It can be made light and refreshing for summer sipping. Or vary the ingredients for a lush, cozy drink during cooler months. Sangrias also make hosting duties fairly easy when entertaining since they can be made ahead of time in pitcher form for batch serve. Better yet, guests will be impressed with your awesome bartending skills. What’s not to love?!

The Take Me to the Tropics Sangria recipe is fruity with light coconut flavor. The color is pale pink so the whole fruits take center stage as edible garnish. This is summery fresh Sangria ideal for outdoor entertaining. The color lends itself to bridal parties and baby showers due to the color.

Take Me to the Tropics Sangria – created by Cheri Loughlin

1-750ml Bottle Riesling Wine

12 ounces Fresh Blueberries – cut small slit in side or cut in half

15 whole Fresh Blackberries

3/4 cup Fresh Mango – cut into 3/4 inch pieces

1/2 Orange – Quartered & Sliced

3 ounces Coconut Rum

3 ounces Coconut Juice

1 Tablespoon Simple Syrup

3 Sprigs Fresh Rosemary – Smack on hand to release aroma

Grated Coconut Garnish – optional

Place all ingredients, except optional grated coconut garnish, in pitcher. Stir. Cover. Refrigerate overnight. Serve over ice. Garnish with grated coconut if desired.

Why do people love Sangria so much? It’s fairly inexpensive and easy to make. It’s delicious and not overly sweet. A good Sangria recipe is fairly flexible to fruits and juices one has on hand. Alcohol content is usually less than single serve cocktails.

Find a few more Spanish inspired drinks and Sangria recipes in the post Wine, Sangrias & Spanish Inspired Cocktails. Learn a little about The History of Sangria and sample one of the original red wine punches, the 1800s Claret Cup Recipe found at Wine Intro.

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Posted in Cocktails, Wine Cocktails

Tagged Blackberries, Blueberries, Coconut, Coconut Juice, Coconut Rum, Mango, Orange, Riesling Wine, Rosemary, Sangria, Simple Syrup, Wine

Get Bikini Ready with Low Calorie Cocktails

Posted on April 10, 2013 | Comments Off

You know spring is in the air when scraps of fabric (ie: bathing suits) begin appearing on the sleek and slender mannequins that line our favorite retailers. Just the thought of spring and eventual summer brings warmth to my ice cold toes. But slipping into a bikini at the first sign of sunshine season sends a chill up my spine. If I want to enjoy Happy Hour, beach body means mixing low calorie cocktails at the bar.

There are several low calorie cocktails on the market in ready to serve bottled or prepackaged form. If you’ve already found a product you like that keeps you on track counting calories to keep your girlish figure, then definitely keep doing what works for you. I get bored with the same cocktail over and over. I refer to the low calorie cocktails I’ve created through the years for variety as well as the Counting Calories chart when I want to look up calorie count on various spirits.

Now grab your bikini and let’s head to the beach!

Tropical Beach – created by Cheri Loughlin

1 ounce Coconut Rum or Vodka

1/2 ounce Peach Schnapps

1-1/2 ounce Light Cranberry Juice

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

Tropical Beach contains lovely coconut back. It is a light, fruity low calorie cocktail worthy of a tropical vacation. Slip into your bikini and relax. Tropical Beach is simple to make and flavorful without blowing your calorie budget.

Approximately 110.5 Calories

Many of the drinks in the low calorie cocktail category on this site fall within the 100 to 150 calorie range. They are full sized cocktails with full bodied flavor. If you get the munchies while sipping, Greatist has 88 snacks to nosh without the guilt. They’re all under 100 calories! I’m totally into rocking the beach bod by moving and shaking. Women’s Health Magazine has a plan to get you bikini body ready in no time!

Bring on the sunshine, bikinis and cocktails… low calorie cocktails that is!

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Posted in Low Calorie

Tagged Coconut Rum, Coconut Vodka, Cranberry Juice, Low Calorie Cocktail, Lower Calorie, Peach Schnapps, Tropical Beach

Drink in the Beaches of Blue Hawaii

Posted on March 20, 2013 | Comments Off

With Spring Break in full swing for some, yet the beautiful beaches out of reach for the vast majority it seems appropriate to bring Hawaii to the masses in the form of drink. Perhaps Hawaii is better known for more unusual drinks using ingredients such as papaya or Li Hing Mui, but the Blue Hawaiian is the cocktail with the namesake.

Happy 1st Day of Spring! What better way to celebrate spring than dream about catching a few Hawaiian waves. YouTube video posted by gdaniels32. Be sure to click through and subscribe to the original feed and look up the photography at www.beachboyphotography.com.

In researching the Blue Hawaiian, so many versions surfaced it was difficult to decipher which one was the “real” Blue Hawaiian and which ones were the imposters. What also came to the forefront is another drink often confused for the Blue Hawaiian; the Blue Hawaii. These two drinks share a name so similar it is no wonder they are often confused by many a bartender and patron alike. So let’s break down the difference.

A true Blue Hawaiian never contains vodka, but rather rum. It also uses cream of coconut rather than sweet and sour mix. Adversely, the Blue Hawaii uses vodka instead of rum and sweet and sour mix, but no cream of coconut. Both however share something in common always; Blue Curacao.

Blue Curacao is essentially an orange liqueur infused with the dried peels of the Larahas plant which is derived from the Valencia orange. The difference between Blue and Orange Curacao is the color. Substituting one for the other in a drink will only change the color, not the taste.

The Blue Hawaii has an advantage over the Blue Hawaiian in that it makes for quite the easy party punch as well as individual cocktail drink. Since the Blue Hawaiian traditionally calls for cream of coconut which needs thorough stirring, shaking or blending, it is not conducive to a punch bowl setting.

So, you decide. Pour over ice, stir, shake, or put the blender on puree. Set your sights on the sandy beaches of Hawaii, sit back and sip a tall, cool one. Choose one or try them all.

Blue Hawaiian

1 ounce Light Rum

2 ounces Pineapple Juice

1 ounce Blue Curacao

1 ounce Cream of Coconut

Pineapple Chunks Garnish

1 cup Ice

Combine liquids and ice in blender. Blend until all ice is thoroughly blended in cocktail. Pour into highball glass or decorative glass. Garnish with skewered pineapple chunks.

Blue Hawaii

1-1/2 ounce Vodka

1 ounce Blue Curacao

1 ounce Sour Mix

1 ounce Pineapple Juice

2 to 3 ounces Orange Juice

Pineapple Chunks & Maraschino Cherry Garnish

Combine liquids in highball glass over fresh ice. Stir to blend. Garnish with pineapple chunks and maraschino cherry.

Blend both worlds by trying the Blue Hawaii Cocktail.

Blue Hawaii Cocktail

1 ounce Vodka

1/2 ounce Blue Curacao

1/2 ounce Coconut Rum

1-1/2 ounce Pineapple Juice

3/4 ounce Lime Juice

Lemon Twist

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

See alternative reader version of the Blue Hawaii drink.

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Posted in Cocktails

Tagged Blue Curacao, Blue Hawaii, Blue Hawaii Cocktail, Blue Hawaiian, Coconut Rum, Cream of Coconut, Fresh Lime, Orange Juice, Pineapple, Pineapple Juice, Rum, Sour Mix, Spring, Spring Cocktails, Spring Equinox, Video, Vodka

Review: Cruzan Coconut Rum

Posted on August 22, 2012 | Leave a comment

42 Proof / 21% alcohol

Suggested Retail Price: $10 to $12 range / 750ml bottle

Availability: Widely available

Cruzan Coconut Rum Tasting Notes

Color: Clear

Aroma: Usual suntan lotion scent, but faint. Coconut is there, lightly sweet, not quite natural at all.

Tasted Neat: Exceedingly sweet. Initial sour taste for a split second that fades completely. One dimensional coconut flavor. Three things pop out immediately – thin, sugar and flat line coconut.

In my opinion coconut rum is one of those flavors that’s so difficult to nail down with a totally natural flavor. Though I wouldn’t consume this neat or as a plain shot, I did enjoy some rather tasty Pina Coladas using the Cruzan Coconut rum while on vacation earlier this summer.

Mouth Feel: Thin

Possible Uses, Pairings and / or Cocktails:

Could definitely be mixed in any number of coconut flavored cocktails if sugar addition is kept to a minimal. Though the Pina Colada comes to mind first when coconut rum is in the mix, there are many more coconut rum recipes to explore.

Cruzan Confusion

1 ounce Cruzan Coconut Rum

1 ounce Cruzan Mango Rum

Splash of Pineapple Juice

Orange Wedge Garnish

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

What are a few of your favorite coconut rum cocktails?

Review sample courtesy representatives of Beam Global

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Posted in Reviews

Tagged Coconut Rum, Cruzan Coconut Rum, Cruzan Confusion, Cruzan Mango Rum, Cruzan Rum, Mango Rum, Pineapple Juice

Italian Surfer

Posted on May 23, 2012 | Leave a comment

Enjoy sun and surf in your own backyard this Memorial Day with the Italian Surfer. It’s a quick mix with easily accessible ingredients. Pour, sip and relax.

Download the Italian Surfer recipe card for personal use only. Click photo for full size. Recipe card will open in a new window. Right click photo and choose the “print photo” option. 4 x 6 Recipe card prints best on card stock. Find another photo card for Memorial Day on The Intoxicologist Facebook page.

Cheri Loughlin is a leading cocktail and photography resource for businesses and individuals. Cocktail stock photography images are available 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.

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Posted in Cocktail Stock Photography, Cocktails

Tagged Amaretto, Coconut Rum, Cranberry Juice, Italian Surfer, Memorial Day, Pineapple Juice, Recipe Cards

Night of Passion Cocktails

Posted on February 13, 2012 | Leave a comment

Every holiday serves a purpose. Many daily holidays are wink and nod as ‘reason’ to indulge in specific spirited choices served as straight pour or swirled in a cocktail glass. Other holidays tipple at the senses as occasions for gift giving times such as birthdays and Christmas. There are others still that cause great division of thought as to whether the holiday serves the world of commerce or the passion of the people. Valentine’s Day is one such holiday.

The cynical view of this puffy red hearted holiday is love is completely lost in the commercial gift swapping event for underlying motives of what men and women really want. Valentine’s Day isn’t about jewelry, chocolates, flowers or cocktails for that matter. When all is said and done, Valentine’s Day comes down to the love and sex factor.

Passionate Pussy

1 measure Alize Gold Passion Liqueur

1/2 measure Cinnamon Schnapps

Dash Tabasco Sauce

Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into shot glass or serve in small rocks glass over ice for slow, simmering sip.

Naïve Negligee

1 measure Citrus Vodka

1/2 measure Elderflower Liqueur

1 measure Pink Lemonade

2 measures Brut Champagne

Lemon Twist Garnish

Place ice in highball glass. Add vodka, liqueur and lemonade. Stir. Top with champagne. Stir. Garnish with lemon twist.

Doggy Style

1 measure Coconut Rum

1 measure Raspberry Vodka

2-1/2 measures Tonic Water

Lemon Slice Garnish

Place ice in highball glass. Add rum and vodka. Top with tonic water. Stir. Garnish with lemon 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.

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 Valentine's & Lover's Cocktails

Tagged Alize Passion Liqueur, Champagne, Cinnamon Schnapps, Citrus Vodka, Coconut Rum, Elderflower Liqueur, Raspberry Vodka, Valentine's Day

Blue Balls Shot

Posted on June 24, 2011 | 2 Comments

It’s Girls Night Out and you and the ladies just want time to mix it up alone. Trouble is, there’s a small cluster of men at the bar who just won’t take no for an answer despite your polite refusals of no interaction. Send them a bold message loud and clear.

Blue Balls

1 measure Blue Curacao

1 measure Coconut Rum

1 measure Peach Schnapps

1 measure Lemon Juice

Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into multiple shot glass. Serve with “U and Ur Hand” by Pink playing loudly in the background.

Rather sweet concoction with sweet tartness candy similarity. Barely there hint of coconut. Great hint of peach and coconut aroma.

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Posted in Shots

Tagged Blue Curacao, Coconut Rum, Fresh Lemon, Girl's Night Out, Peach Schnapps, Rum, Shot-tails

Summertime Cover Up

Posted on May 31, 2011 | Leave a comment

DonQ Coco Rum Tasting Notes

21% Alcohol. 42 Proof.

Aroma: Very little scent. Sugared.

Taste: Very sweet. Says natural coconut flavors on the bottle, but… tastes more artificially flavored to the taste buds. Even leaves bit of distasteful after taste. Thin. Not nearly as impressed with this flavoring as I have been with the base spirits of the DonQ Rum brand thus far.

Best conclusion for this flavoring; mix to get semblance of sweetened flavoring
while knowing the alcohol content might be exceedingly low. Borders upon liqueur factor at this point in my opinion. Many average liqueurs fall within 15 to 30 percent ABV (alcohol by volume). Rum, even flavored rum, generally speaking falls somewhere between 35 to 40 percent ABV with some higher.

Summertime means quick and easy cocktails that won’t bring on the buzz too fast. Throw on your favorite bikini and simply shake up this simple tropical Cover Up for easy, breezy sipping poolside.

Cover Up – created by Cheri Loughlin

2 ounces DonQ Coco Flavored Rum

2 ounces Pineapple Juice

1 ounce Coconut Cream

2 dashes Peach Bitters

2 dashes Angostura Bitters

Combine rum, pineapple juice and coconut cream in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake thoroughly to blend and chill thoroughly. Strain into chilled goblet. Place dashes of bitters over top. Serve.

DonQ Coco Rum sample for review courtesy representatives of DonQ Rum.

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Posted in Reviews

Tagged Classic Bitters, Coconut Cream, Coconut Rum, DonQ Rum, Peach Bitters, Pineapple Juice, Rum

Rockin’ the Coconut Rum Genre

Posted on May 18, 2011 | Leave a comment

Duplication is inevitable when brands begin recreating flavors. However, Bacardi’s latest Rock Coconut flavored rum packed a little taste surprise. Crack open a fresh bottle for a taste of the unusual.

Bacardi Rock Coconut Tasting Notes

35% Alcohol. 70 Proof.

Aroma: Light coconut. Always get that ‘suntan lotion’ sensation with coconut flavored rums and vodkas, however hint of vanilla in here. Perhaps tiniest mention of orange.

Taste: Completely unexpected! Slight tartness. Bit of tart cherry, barely there vanilla, zing of ‘something’ I can’t quite put my finger on at the moment. It’s like that first kick of effervescence from a fresh Sprite kicking the taste buds only there aren’t any bubbles here. It’s the ‘umph.’ Minor sweetness. Bit of bitterness to the back end. Almost like zest of lime. Odd, but playful combination. Not the typical coconut rum.

Rockin’ Daiquiri – created by Cheri Loughlin

2 ounces Bacardi Rock Coconut Rum

1/4 ounce Luxardo Maraschino Cherry Liqueur

3/4 ounce Lime Juice

1/2 teaspoon Grenadine

Lime Wheel Garnish

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

Hint of coconut. Plays upon the tart factor of this particular style coconut rum. Sweetness. Could leave out grenadine if this daiquiri flavors out a bit too sweet for your taste buds.

Bacardi Rock Coconut Rum sample for review courtesy representatives of Bacardi Rum.

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Posted in Reviews

Tagged Bacardi Rum, Coconut Rum, Daiquiri, Fresh Lime, Grenadine, Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur, Rum

Tag Archives: Coconut Rum

Happy Birthday Italian Cream Cake Martini & Giveaway

Italian Cream Cake Martini Recipe

The Birthday Giveaway

Share your comments

Take Me to the Tropics Sangria Recipe

Get Bikini Ready with Low Calorie Cocktails

Drink in the Beaches of Blue Hawaii

Review: Cruzan Coconut Rum

Italian Surfer

Night of Passion Cocktails

Blue Balls Shot

Summertime Cover Up

Rockin’ the Coconut Rum Genre

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