The Intoxicologist

This cocktail is merely a duplicate of POM Passione with the added flair of champagne topper.  In adding champagne a little more of the Sambuca flavor is pushed further out of the picture so it becomes nuance rather than centerpiece. 

Passione Fascino (Passion Flair) – created by The Intoxicologist

1.25 ounce Ketel One Vodka

.5 ounce Luxardo Passione Nera

2 ounce POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice

.5 ounce Fresh Lemon Juice

1.5 ounce Freixenet Extra Dry Champagne to Top

Lemon Twist Garnish

Combine vodka, Passione Nera, pomegranate juice and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.  Shake for fifteen seconds.  Strain into a martini glass.  Top off with champagne.  Garnish with lemon twist. 

Copyright 2009 Cheri Loughlin – The Intoxicologist – All Rights Reserved

Deep fruit richness with smooth liquorice and anise tones balance out this beautifully colored cocktail.  The harshness or abruptness of the anise flavor in the Luxardo Passione Nera seems to melt away and blend into a seamless layering effect with the POM Passione.  The color is so regal – fit for the royal court.

POM Passione – created by The Intoxicologist

1.25 ounce Ketel One Vodka

.5 ounce Luxardo Passione Nera

2 ounces POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice

.25 ounce Fresh Lemon Juice

Combine in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.  Shake for fifteen seconds.  Strain into a chilled martini glass. 

Copyright 2009 Cheri Loughlin – The Intoxicologist – All Rights Reserved

The Passionate Haze tastes primarily of Frangelico’s distinct chocolaty hazelnut flavor with the pleasant undercurrent of Luxardo Passione Nera.  Sambuca is not an ordinary choice I would make going out to a cocktail bar, but this clever little sipper is a pleasant introduction to the world of Sambuca.  The flavor is light, yet still there.  The beauty of small introductions to premium spirits with large flavors such as Luxardo Passione Nera is that this is an acquired taste.  Several small samplings whet the palate for more.  Soon a cocktail with deeper flavor “thrill” is what the taste buds yearn for and appreciate.

Passionate Haze – created by The Intoxicologist

.5 ounce Luxardo Passione Nera

.75 ounce Frangelico

.75 ounce Marani Vodka

2 ounces Half & Half

Garnish with Grated Nutmeg if desired

Combine liquid ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.  Shake vigorously.  Strain into a chilled martini glass.  Garnish with grated nutmeg.

Copyright 2009 Cheri Loughlin – The Intoxicologist – All Rights Reserved

Despite Passione Nera’s distinctly deep liquorice flavor, the Beam of Passione comes off surprisingly well.  Then again I had never tasted Sambuca of any sort and was prepared for taste sensation that would knock my socks off.  Pairing the Passione Nera with Jim Beam cuts the sweetness considerably and takes the edginess out of the Sambuca.  The orange and lemon fruit flavors add a sense of balance to the cocktail, thus creating something quite enjoyable.  However, this is one time a colored glass would come in handy.  It is a tad murky with its darkish hue.  The orange juice immediately combined with the Passione Nera causing the beautiful purplish black to go grayish green.  Perhaps this cocktail would pair lovely with St. Patrick’s Day or Halloween!

Beam of Passione – created by The Intoxicologist

1 ounce Jim Beam Bourbon Whiskey

.5 ounce Luxardo Passione Nera

1.25 ounce Fresh Orange Juice

.75 ounce Fresh Lemon Juice

2 Thick Orange Wedges as Garnish

Build in a double old fashioned glass on the rocks.  Garnish with orange wedges.

Copyright 2009 Cheri Loughlin – The Intoxicologist – All Rights Reserved