Tag Archives: Creme de Cassis

Friday Night Favorite Shot Recipes

Posted on March 12, 2010 | Leave a comment

Shots are in interesting breed of drink. Many consumed them in youth & continue to do so as Friday night ritual when out with friends. These little gems may also be converted into true cocktails served straight up or on the rocks. Current question asked on The Intoxicologist Facebook Fan page and Intoxicologist Twitter page: What is your current favorite shot flavor or favorite shot you remember consuming from days of youth? Only one shot appeared more than once – Pineapple Upside Down Cake.

Pineapple Upside Down Cake Shot – adaptation by Cheri Loughlin

1/2 ounce Pineapple Vodka

1/4 ounce Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur

1/2 ounce Pineapple Juice

Splash Licor 43

Maraschino Cherry

Drip several drops maraschino cherry juice in bottom of shot glass. Slit bottom of maraschino cherry and prop on rim of shot glass. Set aside. Combine liquid ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into prepared shot glass.

The current fad sweeping trendy NYC and Cali bars received one mention – the Pickle Back shot. This Intoxicologist is not completely convinced with the long term popularity of the Pickle Back shot yet, but the mind is still open if the spirit is willing. It definitely has not caught on in Middle America or in an Irish bar where I recently discovered locals of Kansas City throw back a double shot referred to as the Bear Shot. The recipient of a Bear Shot first downs an Irish Car Bomb followed quickly by a Jager Bomb. The Jager Bomb consists of a shot of Jagermeister dropped into a glass of Red Bull. This concoction is a regular feature at O’Dowd’s Little Dublin in Kansas City, MO. The bartender says he usually limits customers to one Bear Shot per night.

LAZERLIBBY from Twitter clues us in that “Jack’s Bistro in Baltimore has a Peanut Butter and Jelly shot! It’s awesome!!” Peanut butter is an eternal favorite and classic peanut butter and jelly sandwiches seem to return everyone to memories of youth, freedom and fun days of carefree living. No wonder this shot is such a hit. Though Jack’s recipe isn’t available here, I’ve crafted a version of the Peanut Butter and Jelly Shot and hope hits the spot.

PB&J Shot – created by Cheri Loughlin

1 ounce Frangelico

3/4 ounce Cassis

1/4 part Castries Peanut Liqueur

Combine liquids in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake. Strain into two shot glasses or one shooter.

The Chocolate Cake shot is another favorite of many. It is the perfect liquid birthday cake in case anyone is out celebrating. Chocolate Cake is mentioned in the Top Ten Popular Shot Recipes post with several more popular shots such as the Buttery Nipple, Tweaked Buttery Nipple and Purple Hooter.

Friday and Saturday nights were designed for smaller sips where this sweet tart concoction is concerned. There are many variations of the Lemon Drop Shot from so simple with just citrus vodka and triple sec to downright involved with citrus vodka, triple sec, sour mix, simple syrup, Rose’s Lime and fresh lemon. The Lemon Drop Shot recipe below uses four ingredients plus optional garnish for quick build and fantastic pucker up lemon drop sweet tart flavor.

Lemon Drop Shot – created by Cheri Loughlin

3/4 ounce Citrus Vodka

1/4 ounce Triple Sec

1/4 ounce Limoncello

1/4 ounce Simply Lemonade

Sugar

Lemon Wedge

Dip half of lemon wedge in sugar. Set aside. Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into shot glass. Shoot. Bite lemon and enjoy the sugar.

Three Olives Bubble Vodka reaches wide audiences with its bubblicious bubble gum fruit flavor. Tiffany LaRue Spooner from Facebook mentioned her preference for Three-O Bubble Vodka with Watermelon Pucker. Several Three-O Bubble cocktails and four shots have been designed including the Mad Melon Bubble Gum Shot.

Bob Stafford suggested an interesting Bandana Shot: Fill a shot glass half full with Coke. Spread a bandana tightly over the glass. Float Captain Morgan’s Rum through the top of the bandana. This creates a two layer effect with the Coke chasing the rum leaving one with a nice vanilla and Coke aftertaste… “and a cruddy bandana at the end of the evening.”

Many thanks to everyone who chimed in with favorite shots: Angelique Martin-Osorio, Bob Stafford, Robert H. Dicks II, Neon Lothmann, ilovepapercuts, LAZERLIBBY, John Bartlet, James Anderson, Scott Galbiati, GlaceLuxuryIce, CruiseMaven, Tiffany LaRue Spooner, Danielle Spedale and Robert Haynes-Peterson. Enjoy evenings out, happy hour and a shot now and then, but always sip responsibly.

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.

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Posted in Shots

Tagged Castries Peanut Rum Creme, Chocolate Liqueur, Citrus Vodka, Creme de Cassis, Frangelico, Godiva, Hazelnut Liqueur, Lemonade, Licor 43, Limoncello, Pinapple Juice, Pineapple Vodka, Shot-tails, Triple Sec, Vodka

Sipping a Bit ‘o Bubbly

Posted on December 2, 2009 | Leave a comment

Sparkling cocktails and champagne should not be relegated to times of celebration only. Thank goodness holiday times and special occasions give many the extra nudge needed to pick up a bottle of bubbly for clinking glasses rather than the same old tried and true cocktail of the everyday. Every Bit ‘o Bubbly cocktail doesn’t necessarily find its way into a champagne flute. Often effervescent bubbles tickle at the nose by way of martini and cocktail recipes topped with champagne, prosecco and wonderful sparkling sake. The following cocktails tickle at the nose by way with varying bubbles, but sip oh, so wonderfully. Stay tuned for more dazzling cocktail recipes to tickly your fancy during the holiday season.

Cynthia Rowley chose Basil Hayden’s bourbon for her Spring 2010 collection show. She even named the cocktail; the Basil Natural. Her design team made sure the Basil Natural embodied her line’s whimsical spirit and call to nature. The cocktail is a refreshing twist on the typical Fashion Week beverage staples of champagne and vodka. It looks like brown spirits have become the fashionable trend among the stylish headliners of the fashion world.

Basil Natural

1 part Basil Hayden’s Bourbon

Soda Water

Squeeze of Lemon

Place Basil Hayden’s Bourbon in white wine glass. Fill with chilled soda water. Add squeeze of lemon. Garnish with small lemon wedge.

Sweet Tail

3 ounces Bulldog Gin

3 Mint sprigs

1 Vanilla Bean

3/4 oz Creme de Cassis

1 oz Simple syrup

Champagne

Muddle mint and sliced vanilla beans in mixing glass. Add simple syrup and gin with ice. Shake to blend. Strain into chilled flute. Top with champagne and crème de cassis. Garnish with mint sprigs.

The Gilded Sapphire

1 part Bombay Sapphire Gin, chilled

1/2 part Elderflower Extract

2 drops Rose Water

3 dashes Moreland Champagne Bitters

2 parts Champagne

Place elderflower syrup, rose water and bitters into chilled martini glass. Add chilled gin. Top with champagne. Sprinkle cocktail with edible gold leaf.

Wild Thyme Bellini

1 ounce Berry Puree

1 ounce Raspberry Liqueur

4 ounces Barefoot Bubbly Brut Cuvee

Thyme Sprig Garnish

Muddle fresh wild berries or raspberries to create berry puree. Combine puree and liqueur in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend. Add Barefoot Bubble to shaker. Gently roll contents from end to end to combine. Strain into chilled champagne flute. Garnish with sprig of thyme.

New Year’s Sparkler

1 ounce SKYY Infusions Passion Fruit

1-1/2 ounce Pomegranate Juice

3-1/2 ounce Champagne

5-6 Fresh Raspberries Garnish

Place vodka and juice in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to chill. Strain into chilled champagne flute. Top with champagne. Garnish with skewered raspberries placed vertically into champagne glass.

Stoli Angel Elixir

Created by Charlotte Voisey, Eldridge, Rose Bar

1 ounce Stoli Gala Applik

3 Strawberries

Vanilla Sugar Sprinkles

Rose Sparkling Wine

Edible Gold Dust Garnish

Pink Rose Petal Garnish

Muddle strawberries with vanilla sugar in bottom of mixing glass. Add Stoli Gala Applik with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled champagne flute. Top with rose sparkling dessert wine. Garnish with edible gold dust and pink aphrodisiac rose petal.

Bitter Bubbles

1 ounces X-Rated Fusion Liqueur

1/2 ounce SKYY Infusions Passion Fruit

1/4 ounces Campari

Champagne

Lemon Twist Garnish

Place X-Rated Fusion Liqueur, vodka and Campari in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to chill. Strain into chilled champagne flute. Top with champagne. Garnish with fresh lemon twist.

Bessito

Originally served at Asia De Cuba, New York

1 ounce X-Rated Fusion Liqueur

1 ounce Grapefruit Juice

Champagne

Place ingredients in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled champagne flute. Top with champagne.

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Posted in Champagne & Bubbly, Christmas Cocktails

Tagged Apple Vodka, Barefoot Wine & Bubbly, Bourbon, Campari, Champagne, Club Soda, Creme de Cassis, Fresh Lemon, Gin, Grapefruit Juice, Passion Fruit Vodka, Pomegranate Juice, Raspberries, Raspberry Liqueur, Rose Water, Simple Syrup, X-Rated Fusion

Happy Mother’s Day from G’vine Gin!

Posted on May 10, 2009 | Leave a comment

G’Vine Gin wishes Moms everywhere a very happy Mother’s Day. In honor of the generosity of love mothers share with their families and others, G’Vine Gin shares their family favorite recipes with everyone.

G’Vine Blush

3/4 ounce Guava Puree

1/2 ounce Rose Syrup

1/4 ounce Lime Juice

1-1/2 ounce G’vine Floraison

1/2 ounce Pink Grapefruit Juice

1-1/2 ounce Brut Champagne

Rose Petal Garnish

Combine liquids except champagne in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled martini glass. Top with champagne. Garnish with rose petal. Variation: Recipe may be duplicated to pitcher size for party serve over ice.

Crème de la Mère

1/2 ounce Lustau Solera Rare Cream

1/2 ounce Crème de Cassis

1-1/2 ounce G’vine Nouaison

1/4 ounce Simple Syrup

1/2 ounce Lemon Juice

1/2 ounce Pomegranate Juice

1-1/2 ounce Brut Champagne

Kumquat Floret & Orange Zest Garnish

Combine liquids except champagne in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled martini glass. Top with champagne. Garnish with kumquat floret and orange zest. Variation: Recipe may be duplicated to pitcher size for party serve over ice.

Recipes provided by representatives of G’vine Gin

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Posted in Mother's Day

Tagged Champagne, Creme de Cassis, Fresh Lemon, Fresh Lime, G'vine Gin, Gin, Grapefruit Juice, Guava Puree, Mother's Day, Pomegranate Juice, Rose Syrup, Simple Syrup

Agavero Inspires Cocktails beyond Shots & Margaritas

Posted on February 22, 2009 | 1 Comment

February 22 is National Margarita Day. Since many have a love it or hate it view toward tequila as the hangover spirit it’s time to move that misconception to the sideline and show a softer, smoother side to the rowdy character of the agave plant.

Agavero Tequila Liqueur is an exceptionally smooth, ultra-premium spirit created from a blend of 100% blue agave anejo and reposado tequilas. The essence of Damiana flower enriches the character adding substance to the flavor profile. Rather than an earthy bitterness or bite in the taste, Agavero is smooth and delicately rich on the palate. It is sweet, yet not syrupy. Agavero seems to be the perfect combination of tequila and agave nectar with the lilt of floral Damiana.

Agavero is produced at los Camichines Distillery in the Jalisco region of Mexico. Only the finest 100% blue agave anejo and reposado tequilas are chosen to complement the essence of Damiana. These elements are combined and hand blended for the highest quality and taste. Agavero Tequila Liqueur is bottled at 64 proof. It may be enjoyed neat, on the rocks or in a variety of cocktails that are only limited by your imagination.

The notion that tequila is somehow harsher than other liquors or possibly only good for shots or margaritas is clearly not the case. Agavero allows a wide variety of creative thought process to unfold while still allowing the richness of the agave plant to shine through without harshness.

Cozumel Cosmo – created by Cheri Loughlin

1 measure Agavero

2 measures Vodka

3/4 measure Pomegranate Juice

1/2 measure Lime Juice

1/2 measure Pomegranate Liqueur

Lime Wheel Garnish

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

Inspiration came from the Mexican Cosmo. Pomegranate Juice was put in place of Cranberry with Pomegranate Liqueur added. Imagine creating a tequila based Raspberry Lemon Drop using Limocello and Raspberry Liqueur!

Cortez’ Golden Gift – created by Cheri Loughlin

1-1/4 measure Agavero

1-1/4 measure Vanilla Liqueur

1-1/4 measure Half & Half

Build in a double old-fashioned glass over ice. Stir. Variation: 1 measure each Agavero and Vanilla Liqueur, 3/4 measure Tequila, 1-1/4 measure Half & Half.

The deep rich vanilla blends flawlessly with the delicate nature of Agavero. The use of Half & Half cuts the sweetness while keeping this a decadent dessert cocktail. An Espresso Vodka would also intertwine nicely within this mix. Adjust the ratios and make it your own.

Pineapple Pina – created by Cheri Loughlin

5 Pineapple Chunks

1/2 measure Cassis Liqueur

3/4 measure Lemon Juice

1 measure Agavero

1-1/2 measure Pineapple Vodka

3-4 Pineapple Chunks Garnish

Muddle pineapple, cassis and lemon juice in bottom of cocktail shaker. Add Agavero and vodka with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with skewered pineapple chunks.

Fresh is best. Pineapple and tequila work amazingly well together. So does watermelon!

Lover’s Margarita – ala Agavero

1 measure Agavero

1 measure Reposado Tequila

Splash Fresh Lime Juice

Salted Rim

Rim rocks glass with fresh lime and dip in salt if desired. Add fresh ice. Add Agavero and tequila. Stir. Double recipe and add two straws to share with a lover.

The Lover’s Margarita is simply unbeatable. Agavero adds dimension to the margarita that would not be there with one layering of tequila alone. It also rounds out the edges for a smooth finish.

This goes to show how adaptable Agavero Tequila is as a spirit. It is excellent as the foundation or companion piece in a wide range of mixed drinks. Tequila no longer needs to be considered the ruthless, untamed spirit designed for shots and margaritas alone.