Tag Archives: Girl’s Night Out

Little Black Dress

Nothing goes better with a Little Black Dress than a night out on the town. Ok, maybe a pair of Kitten Heels or Stilettos. But I’m really talking cocktails here not attire. Pour yourself a Little Black Dress and the perfect date night or girl’s night will follow.

Little Black Dress Cocktail Recipe

Pour yourself a Little Black Dress and the perfect date night or girl’s night will follow. - recipe and photo by Mixologist Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist

Pour yourself a Little Black Dress and the perfect date night or girl’s night will follow. – recipe and photo by Mixologist Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist

Little Black Dress – recipe by Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist

1/2 ounce Beefeater Gin

1/2 ounce Heering Cherry Liqueur

1/2 ounce Kahlua Especial Liqueur

1/2 ounce Galliano L’Autentico

2 dashes Fee Brothers Aztec Chocolate Bitters

Combine liquids in mixing glass with ice. Stir to chill. Strain into chilled martini glass.

Galliano contains 30 herbs, spices and extracts including Mediterranean anise, juniper, musk yarrow, star anise, lavender, peppermint, cinnamon and vanilla.

Little Black Dress Date Night Ideas

So what about that perfect date night? I’ve read articles about the best date night ideas of all time. One suggests exchanging date night with Saturday brunch. I get it. Sometimes Friday night babysitters are difficult to come by. But brunch in a button down sweater and tassel shoes sitting on a sunny outdoor patio screams mommy has the morning off. There are many day date ideas like running a marathon, mud run or color run together, taking a cooking class  or dance class together or packing a picnic and enjoying an afternoon in the park. But an evening at a swanky restaurant wearing a little black dress, high heel shoes with music in the background reminds us we’re still fun loving adults, not just parents.

Little Black Dress cocktail contains gin, Heering Cherry Liqueur, coffee liqueur, Galliano and chocolate bitters. – recipe by Mixologist Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist

Little Black Dress cocktail contains gin, Heering Cherry Liqueur, coffee liqueur, Galliano and chocolate bitters. – recipe by Mixologist Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist

Little Black Dress date night ideas might include:

Concert tickets. Concert tickets to the groovy group from way back when or the hot new band that makes us crank the music up a few notches while we’re stirring Wednesday night’s spaghetti sauce. Follow up with cocktails at a great bar before or afterward.

Wine or Cocktails and Dinner Pairing. Restaurants are changing up their cocktail menus all the time. To introduce patrons to the new menus they often host special dinner pairing events for a limited time for special pricing. Sign up! Go! Dress up. Wear that Little Black Dress. Knock that someone special’s socks off!

Night Clubbing. I don’t mean bachelorette style screaming, 80’s hair band disco ball partying. Look up the local cocktail and bar scene. There are great craft cocktail programs going on in locally owned specialty bars, neighborhood bars primarily known for beer and nationwide restaurant chains and hotel bars. Yes. I said “chain” restaurants and hotels serve great craft cocktails. So go “clubbing.” Make a list of several local bars to visit. Rent a limo, place a cab driver on speed dial or designate a driver for the evening. Visit four or five bars in an evening. Sample one drink {and one appetizer if there is one on the menu} and move on to the next venue. Don’t forget to wear your Little Black Dress. Dress for fabulous!

Add your comment: What is your perfect Little Black Dress date night idea?

Cheri Loughlin Photography - Cocktail Development & Photography Services

All content ©2013 Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist. All Rights Reserved. Chat with Cheri @Intoxicologist on Twitter and facebook.com/Intoxicologist or str8upcocktails@gmail.com

Girls Night Out Cocktail: Harvest Moon

Many fine Italian wines for sale.

Girls Night Out sometimes comes with a few misconceptions. It isn’t necessarily a gab fest of complaints about significant others, how the office queen is trying to ruin our next step up the ladder of success or how little Tommy just graduated from tricycle to training wheels. Often it’s about breathing a much needed sigh of relief, not worrying about anyone else and countless laughs for a few hours. And if we look good in a smokin’ hot dress and high heel shoes while having a good time, all the better.

Ditch the Cosmo, howl at the moon! Enjoy Girls Night Out, Ladies!

Harvest MoonAmerican Harvest Harvest Moon photo provided by Sidney Frank Importing Company Inc 600

2 ounces American Harvest

1/2 ounce Le Combier Triple Sec

1/2 ounce Fresh Lemon Juice

1/4 ounce Grenadine

Lemon Twist Garnish

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

Girls Night Out is also synonymous with wine tasting evenings in. Wine Chateau has a large selection of wines, including fine Italian wines, currently priced to fit every budget.

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

cAmerican Harvest Logoocktail recipe and photo provided by representatives of Sidney Frank Importing Company, Inc. & American HarvestAmerican Harvest on Facebook – @AHOrganicSpirit on Twitter

All content ©2013 Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist. All Rights Reserved. Chat with Cheri @Intoxicologist on Twitter and facebook.com/Intoxicologist or str8upcocktails@gmail.com

Fun Girly Drinks for Girls Night

Blonde Bombshell Cocktail - photo and recipe by Mixologist Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist

Blonde Bombshell Cocktail – photo and recipe by Mixologist Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist

An evening out with best girlfriends is also the best time to road test fun girly drinks. No one judges a group of women gathered around laughing, having a good time. The only thing onlookers want to know is “what are they drinking” and “can I get a drink like that?” After all, many people are looking for fun drinks to try; they just don’t know where to look. I say, look to the nearest group of women enjoying a Girls Night Out.

Girls Night Out cocktails usually have a few things in common; sprinkles, sugared rims, pink hues, fruity flavors and blended to the max. Oh, and chocolate! One must never forget chocolate. Let’s face it; cocktails with these descriptors would not exist if people didn’t order them. Not only do people order and love them, people swipe the inside of cocktail glasses with their fingers and lick them with their tongues to get every tasty drop. So drinks of this nature, girly drinks, should not be looked upon with disdain. Girly drinks are like the candy aisle, cookie aisle, feel good aisle of cocktails. If these are the cocktails that make a group of women smile, laugh and feel good at the end of an evening then I want one of those! What the heck, make it two!

By the way, women aren’t the only ones drinking girly drinks. Real men like Cosmos, Appletinis and blended drinks, too. No more cocktail discrimination, please!

Barefoot Mistletoe Cosmo - Cheri Loughlin Cocktail Development Services

Fun Girly Drinks Night “Mixer”

Girls Night Out might include a round of shots, a cocktail or two and in the right bar, a smooth sailing blended drink. But Girls Night is also gathering your best girlfriends for a night in. Consider making your next Girls Night a literal “mixer” kind of get-together. Everyone brings a simple drink recipe with ingredients to make it. Share the recipes, sample the drinks and then start playing with the leftover ingredients. Create a few new fun girly drinks unique to your group of friends.

I’ve taken a few ingredients that often find their way into popular drink recipes. These are inexpensive liquors that are commonly found in almost any bare bones liquor store. Using an easy shot recipe as a starting point, I’ve adjusted the measurements to create three separate drinks; a cool layered shot, deliciously sweetened cocktail and sinfully decadent dessert style blender drink. All are fun drinks to try at your next Girls Night.

Easy & Fun Girly Drinks

Blonde Bombshell Layered Shot - photo and recipe by Mixologist Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist

Blonde Bombshell Layered Shot – photo and recipe by Mixologist Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist

Blonde Bombshell Layered Shot – recipe by Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist

1/2 ounce Amaretto Liqueur

1/2 ounce Butterscotch Schnapps

1/2 ounce Irish Cream Liqueur – chilled

Combine amaretto liqueur and butterscotch schnapps in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to chill. Pour into shot glass. Carefully pour chilled Irish cream liqueur over back of bar spoon over top of liqueurs to created creamy layer on top of shot.

Layered shots take a steady hand and a little extra time with the pour. - photo by Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist

Layered shots take a steady hand and a little extra time with the pour. – photo by Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist

Layered shots are really cool to look at, but feel free to place all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake it to chill and strain into the shot glass. It will taste just fine.

Blonde Bombshell Cocktail - photo and recipe by Mixologist Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist

Blonde Bombshell Cocktail – photo and recipe by Mixologist Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist

Blonde Bombshell Cocktail – recipe by Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist

1-1/2 ounce Irish Cream Liqueur

1-1/2 ounce Butterscotch Schnapps

1 ounce Amaretto

1 ounce Half & Half

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

This is smooth, creamy and delicious. It’s like sipping on a melty ice cream cone. Which of course made me think of Ice Cream!

Blended Blonde Bombshell – recipe by Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist

1-1/2 ounce Irish Cream Liqueur

1-1/2 ounce Butterscotch Schnapps

1 ounce Amaretto

1 ounce Heavy Cream

2 scoops Vanilla ice Cream

Place all ingredients in blender. Blend until smooth. Add an extra scoop of ice cream for thicker shake like consistency if desired. Pour into hurricane style glass. Serve with straw and cocktail umbrella. Cocktail umbrellas and fru fru things are a must sometimes you know.

In the event you host a Girls Night mixer style get-together, please be sure everyone has a safe ride home.

Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon – str8upcocktails @ gmail.com – ©2013 Cheri Loughlin-The Intoxicologist, All Rights Reserved.

Cheeky Tart

If you love Caramel Apple cocktails then the Cheeky Tart shot is right up your alley. Cheeky Tart might be a small shot sip, but it’s caramel apple through and through. This particular shot was inspired by a guest at a Girl’s Night Out party. Seems highly appropriate to add to your Girl’s Night Out list of go-to drinks.

Cheeky Tart 1 photo copyright Cheri Loughlin

Cheeky Tart – created by Cheri Loughlin, inspired by Kelly T.

1/2 measure Sour Apple Schnapps

1/2 measure Butterscotch Schnapps

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

Cheri Loughlin Photography - Cocktail Development & Photography Services

Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon – str8upcocktails @ gmail.com – ©2013 Cheri Loughlin-The Intoxicologist, All Rights Reserved.

St. Tropez

The blended berry-licious St. Tropez will keep you cool while you sink your toes in the sand or relax pool side. - photo by Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist

The blended berry-licious St. Tropez will keep you cool while you sink your toes in the sand or relax pool side. – photo by Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist

Don’t let cooler temps weigh you down. Grab a friend and vacate to warmer climates and cooler sips. Take you and a friend to the beach {literally or figuratively} with the easy St. Tropez blended cocktail recipe for two.

St. Tropez

2 ounces Raspberry Flavored Vodka

4 ounces Cranberry Juice

2 tablespoons Raspberry Jam

2 ounces Raspberry Liqueur

Raspberry or Blueberry Garnish

8 to 12 ounces Ice

Place vodka, juice, jam and liqueur in blender with ice. Blend until completely smooth. Divide mixture between two chilled martini glasses. Garnish with skewer of raspberries or blueberries.

Cheri Loughlin Photography - Cocktail Development & Photography Services

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

French Flirt

Indulgent little celebration shot. Hint of dry, nuttiness from the cognac with nice mingling of citrus and barely there sweet. Add splash of simple syrup if this little treasure needs a bit more sweetening for your pleasure. ~ Miniature version of the classic French 75 cocktail.

French Flirt 2 photo copyright Cheri Loughlin

French Flirt – created by Cheri Loughlin

1/2 measure Cognac

1/4 measure Triple Sec

1/4 measure Lemon Juice

3/4 measure Brut Champagne

Place cognac, triple sec and lemon juice in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into shooter glass. Top with champagne.

Cheri Loughlin Photography - Cocktail Development & Photography Services

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

Bawdy Toddy

Hot Toddy cocktails are great for sipping fireside, but the Bawdy Toddy was definitely designed with Girl’s Night out in mind. Let loose and enjoy a little cool weather goodness with this warming shot.

Bawdy Toddy 2 photo copyright Cheri Loughlin

Apple goodness with warm bourbon notes. Bit of nut.

Bawdy Toddy – created by Cheri Loughlin

1/2 measure Bourbon or Whiskey

1/2 measure Apple Cider

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

Cheri Loughlin Photography - Cocktail Development & Photography Services

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

American Belle

Original recipe is a shot and calls for equal parts cherry liqueur, amaretto and bourbon. This renders an exceedingly sweet shot / drink, like many shots lean toward. However, amending the recipe creates a lovely on the rocks sipping drink. Ideal for a “candied” Halloween shot or drink. Would also be great for Girl’s Night Out.American Belle 016 copyright Cheri Loughlin

American Belle – adapted by Cheri Loughlin

1-1/4 ounce Bourbon

1/4 ounce Amaretto

1/4 ounce Heering Cherry Liqueur

3 dashes Classic Bitters

Build in rocks glass over fresh ice. Stir.

Cheri Loughlin Photography - Cocktail Development & Photography Services

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

Barefoot StiletTOE

Give the Barefoot StiletTOE a whirl with your favorite girlfriends and make it a Girls Night Out or Girls Night in. This deliciously tart cocktail can be served on the rocks or in a martini glass. Barely there peach nips at the nutty amaretto as it intertwines with the beautiful flavor of Moscato. Amaretto Sour lovers are in for a real treat with this wine variation of the popular cocktail.Barefoot StiletTOE - Cheri Loughlin Cocktail Development Services

Barefoot StiletTOE – created by Cheri Loughlin

2 measures Barefoot Moscato White Wine

1-1/2 measure Peach Nectar

1/2 measure Amaretto Liqueur

1/4 measure Lemon Juice

Lemon Twist Garnish

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

Cocktail Recipe and Photo commissioned by Barefoot Wine & Bubbly

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.

Camarena Citrus Cooler

Camarena Citrus Cooler rules the night with its fabulous aroma, tangy citrus flavor of nutty orange and light sweetness. Raise a shot glass in toast to glorious Girls Night Out evenings with best girlfriends and impromptu evenings with the guys.

Camarena Citrus Cooler – created by Cheri Loughlin

Camarena Citrus Cooler - Cheri Loughlin Cocktail Development Services1/2 measure Camarena Reposado Tequila

1/2 measure Amaretto Liqueur

1/2 measure Orange Juice

1/4 measure Lemon Juice

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

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