The Intoxicologist

A lovely way to celebrate the success of one year and beginning of another; with the Triumph champagne cocktail.  This champagne cocktail utilizes the flavors of Hiram Walker White Peach Schnapps and Armagnac for jubilant completion.  Don’t settle for just one.  Make the evening exceptional by doubling the recipe for an occasion meant for two.

Triumph – created by Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist

1/2 part Hiram Walker White Peach Schnapps

3/4 part Castarede Armagnac VSOP

3 parts Brut Champagne

Long Orange Zest Twist

Combine Hiram Walker Peach Schnapps and Castarede Armagnac VSOP together in a cocktail shaker.  Zest orange peel over the liquid mixture to capture the essential oils and then place twist as garnish in champagne flute.  Add ice to mixture.  Shake to chill.  Strain into champagne flute.  Top with Brut Champagne. 

If you’re planning a New Year’s Eve party this year, remember to have a few non-alcoholic refreshments on hand for guests such as Coffee, Tea or delicious Mocktails for in between champagne toasts and for designated drivers. 

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www.discus.org – Distilled Spirits Council of the United States

Copyright 2009 Cheri Loughlin – The Intoxicologist – All Rights Reserved

Holiday season brings a barrage of Christmas themed cocktails, a look back at nostalgic classics and a blitz of contemporary cocktails created by specialists in the field.  Hundreds of cocktail recipes pass through my view weekly.  Many are fabulous; head turning in fact.  But often what interests me is what is being stirred, shaken and whipped up in kitchens across the United States.  When best friends get together for girls night out, what are they mixing up with that bottle they purchased at the liquor store?  Yesterday in passing someone mentioned a cocktail they and their workmates drink.  It sounded interesting so I asked for more information. 

Cherry Samba – ala Julianna Cain

1 ounce Cherry Brandy

1 ounce Cachaca

1 ounce Lemon Juice

1 ounce Egg White

1 ounce White Cranberry

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.  Shake vigorously until egg is nice and frothy.  Strain into a champagne flute. 

The ingredients Julianna mentioned intrigued me, so I wanted to try this drink recipe right away.  However, traditional cranberry juice is all I had stocked at the time.  White cranberry juice is a little sweeter.  That being said before my tasting notation; Cherry Samba tastes great with a hint of bitter edge to it.  It does not veer too far to the sweet side like so many cocktails on bar martini listings today.  As Julianna aptly recognizes in her area of the country, many consumers are a little put off by raw egg white in cocktails, but it adds such nice froth to the drink.  The egg white is unrecognizable in the flavor of the drink.  If you make this cocktail for friends, they will never realize it is in there. 

Cheri Samba – adapted by Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist

Inspired by Cherry Samba ala Julianna Cain

3/4 part Hiram Walker Cherry Brandy

1 part Leblon Cachaca

3/4 part Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice

1/4 part Fresh Lemon Juice

1 part Egg White

Maraschino Garnish

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.  Shake vigorously until egg white is frothy.  Strain into a champagne flute.  Garnish with speared maraschino cherry.

Since many like a little sweetness added to the cocktail the Cheri Samba tweaks the original version Julianna sent out and adds a little variety with hint of sweetness.  The Cachaca comes through slightly more with a hint of sweet softness since the fresh lemon juice is dialed back in this version.  Maraschino cherry garnish is definitely not needed for taste, but adds a nice finishing touch. 

I would love to know what you mix up at home for your Girls Night Out, Poker Night or what your specialty drink happens to be.  Consumers of the United States are picking up bottles of spirits off the shelf of liquor stores and consuming them neat, on the rocks, in long drinks and cocktails.  Tell me – what cocktail have you created?

Holiday Cheer: Christmas to New Year Martini & Cocktail Recipe Guide

Reviews – Classic Cocktails – Holiday Cocktails

Top 10 Classic Cocktails – 21 Must Try Classic Cocktail Recipes

Drink Recipes & Photos – Cocktails

The Intoxicologist on Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon

www.discus.org – Distilled Spirits Council of the United States

Copyright 2009 Cheri Loughlin – The Intoxicologist – All Rights Reserved

It’s just a little early for a White Christmas, but never too early to get into the spirit of the season.  The perfect cocktail to enjoy while watching a beautiful, fluffy white blanket of snow fall to the ground: Minted Snowfall using Hiram Walker Peppermint Schnapps with hints of espresso vodka and white chocolate in proper measure.  This is one of my original cocktails created for Hiram Walker.  Minted Snowfall smoothes out crisply with just the right amount of sweetness cooling out across the palate.  Ideal for sipping by the fire or keeping within reach while baking in the kitchen. 

Minted Snowfall – created by Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist

I part Van Gogh Espresso Vodka

3/4 part Hiram Walker Peppermint Schnapps

1 part Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur

1 part Heavy Whipping Cream

Crushed Peppermint Rim

Chocolate Dipped Peppermint Stick Garnish -optional

Rim Old Fashioned Glass with Godiva. Dip rim of glass in crushed peppermint.  Set aside.  Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice.  Shake to blend and chill.  Strain into peppermint rimmed old fashioned glass over fresh ice.  Garnish with chocolate dipped peppermint stick.

The Intoxicologist on Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon

www.discus.org – Distilled Spirits Council of the United States

Copyright 2009 Cheri Loughlin – The Intoxicologist – All Rights Reserved

Father’s Day is the perfect time to sit back with Dear ‘Ole Dad and reminisce about all the good times, remember when times and times you were let off the hook when he was being oh so generous.  While some Father’s enjoy a hearty glass of Scotch or Bourbon, others enjoy a good old fashioned cocktail or two without veering over to the girly side of imbibing.  There will be no pink frilly drinks for your dad this Father’s Day, but plenty of flawlessly layered cocktails to set the tone for idle chat and relaxation. 

The Happy Dad

1-1/2 ounce Oval Vodka

3/4 ounce Cointreau

1 ounce Campari

Orange twist for garnish

Shake first three ingredients with ice in a shaker. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with orange twist.

London Lemonade

1-1/2 ounce Beefeater Gin

1 ounce Hiram Walker Triple Sec

2 ounces Lemon Juice

1/2 ounce Simple Syrup

Fill a shaker with ice and add ingredients. Shake vigorously for one minute. Pour into a Collins glass. Garnish with a fresh sprig of mint.

24 Sour

2 ounces Beefeater 24 Gin

1 ounce fresh-squeezed lemon juice

1/2 ounce Benedictine

1/2 ounce Simple Syrup

2 dashes Angostura Bitters

1 egg white

Shake all ingredients vigorously with ice and strain into a chilled glass. Garnish with an orange wedge and cherry.

Mata Hari Lime Cooler

1-1/2 ounce Absinthe Mata Hari

1 ounce Hiram Walker Triple Sec

3 ounces Fresh Sour Mix

Soda water (to top)

Combine the first three ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake thoroughly and strain into an iced Collins glass. Top with soda water and garnish with a lime slice.

More Ideas for Father’s Day:

·         Tommy Bahama Rum: Father’s Day Classic

·         This Father’s Day Give Dad Something a Little Easier to Raise

·         Highland Park: Remember Quality for Father’s Day

·         Highland Park featured at College World Series whisky tasting

·         Out of this world experience at Spirit World: Glenmorangie, Ardbeg

·         The Macallan: Express Yourself

·         Beam of Passione

·         In Fig-titious Fashion

·         (ri)1 & the Elusive Heering

·         Superior Pursuit

Copyright 2009 Cheri Loughlin – The Intoxicologist – All Rights Reserved