Tag Archives: Peppermint Schnapps

Hot Chocolates for Happy Holidays

Posted on November 23, 2010 | 1 Comment

There’s nothing more richly satisfying than coming in from bone chilling temperatures to find a nice warming cup of liquid chocolate waiting to satisfy the taste buds. Wrapping frigid fingers around a steaming hot cup of cocoa feels pretty darn nice, too! Slip into something darkly decadent, richly rewarding and comfortingly creamy this holiday season.

Jack’s Cozy Cocoa

3/4 ounce Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey

Splash of Peppermint Schnapps

Hot cocoa

Whipped Cream

Chocolate Shavings Garnish

Pour Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey and peppermint schnapps into prepared hot cocoa. Add dollop of whipped cream on top. Garnish with chocolate shavings.

Deep Chocolate

1-1/2 ounce Leblon Cachaça

1/2 ounce Jago Cream Liqueur

1/2 ounce Navan

4 ounces Hot Chocolate

Whipped Cream and Chocolate Shavings Garnish

Place Cachaca and liqueurs in large heat proof mug. Add hot chocolate. Stir. Top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.

Angel’s Beso

1-1/2 ounce Gran Centenario Anejo Tequila

Ghiradelli Hot Chocolate

Cocoa Powder for Rim

Warm heat proof goblet by filling with heated water. Empty. Rim goblet with cocoa powder. Add tequila and prepared hot chocolate. Stir and serve.

Hot Chocolate Delight

1-1/2 ounce Basil Hayden’s Bourbon

3/4 ounce DeKuyper Hazelnut Liqueur

1/2 ounce DeKuyper Crème de Menthe – green

Hot chocolate

Whipped Cream

Place bourbon and hazelnut liqueur in preheated mug. To with prepared hot chocolate. Top with whipped cream garnish. Drizzle green crème de menthe over top.

Cuppa Good Cheer

1-1/2 ounce SKYY Infusions Cherry

1/2 ounce White Creme de Cacao

4 ounces Hot Chocolate

1 ounce Half and Half

Whipped Cream

Red Sprinkles

Maraschino Cherry

Place vodka and liqueur in large heat resistant mug. Add steaming hot cocoa and half & half. Stir. Top with whipped cream. Add sprinkles. Plop maraschino in middle for a festive holiday hat topper.

Castries Cocoa

2 ounces Castries Peanut Rum Creme

4 ounces Hot Cocoa

Whipped Cream and Chocolate Sprinkles Garnish

Combine ingredients in a preheated mug. Top with whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles. For a twist, add a splash of banana flavored liqueur.

Official Site Tasting Notes: Milk chocolate flavor with a creamy blend of peanuts. Add a touch of banana liqueur for a tropical touch. Indulge on cold winter nights, preferably with a warm body.

Red Hot Chocolate – created by John Ginnetti

1 ounce Campari

2 ounces Brandy

3 ounces Whole Milk

1/2 ounce Heavy Cream

2 tablespoons Dark Chocolate Chips

Hand-cut Marshmallow or Peppermint Stick Garnish

Place milk, cream & chocolate chips in milk frothing cup used for espresso. Froth milk as you would for cappuccino. When milk is hot remove frothing wand and whisk vigorously until chocolate is completely melted. Add Campari and Brandy. Pour into large heat resistant mug. May be garnished with 1 large hand-cut marshmallow or red peppermint stick. Originally served at 116 Crown in New Haven, CT.

Coco Loco

2 ounces Flor de Caña 7-year-old

1/2 ounce Godiva Milk Chocolate Liqueur

Thin slice of Habañero Chili

Dash of Cinnamon

2 teaspoons of Brown Sugar

2 ounces of milk

Grated Pistachios Garnish

Whipped Cream – optional

Place rum, liqueur and milk in small pot set to simmer. Add chili, cinnamon and sugar. Stir continuously until heated. Pour mixture into heat resistant mug. Add whipped cream and grated pistachios garnish.

MexiCabo Hot Chocolate

1-1/2 ounce Cabo Wabo Blanco Tequila

4 ounces Hot Chocolate

1/2 ounce Coffee Liqueur

Whipped Cream

Place tequila and coffee liqueur in large coffee mug. Top with steaming hot prepared cocoa. Stir. Top with dollop of whipped cream.

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 Barista Cafe, Christmas Cocktails, Fall & Thanksgiving

Tagged Bourbon, Brandy, Brown Sugar, Cachaca, Campari, Castries Peanut Rum Creme, Cherry Vodka, Chili Pepper, Chocolate Chips, Chocolate Liqueur, Coffee Liqueur, Cream Liqueur, Creme de Menthe, Half & Half, Hazelnut Liqueur, Heavy Cream, Hot Chocolate, Milk, Peppermint Schnapps, Pistachios, Rum, Tequila, Vanilla Liqueur, Whipped Cream, Whiskey, Winter Warmer

Jingle My Bells Christmas Cocktails

Posted on December 1, 2009 | 1 Comment

The holiday spirit abounds from the time Thanksgiving weekend begins to the time New Year counts down. Cocktail parties for the office, friends and neighbors provide occasions for gatherings with differing needs. One might need punches and coffees for neighbors stopping in for a moment or two with greetings. Family and friend type holiday parties require classic cocktails and specifically chosen martinis to suit particular palates since the gathering means hours of nibbling finger food and chatting over good times. Office parties might suggest simpler martinis and cocktail recipes with fewer ingredients that still keep within the classic style yet appeal to a broader audience.

Put a little Holiday Cheer into your season with a few of the seasonal drink recipes below. Stay tuned to The Intoxicologist site for more festive cocktail recipes for all your party needs.

Christmas Fizz

2 ounces Right Gin

2 teaspoon Cranberry Jam

1 ounce Sweet Vermouth

1 ounce Fresh Lemon Juice

1/2 ounce Simple Syrup

1 Egg White

1 dash Peychaud’s Bitters

2 ounces Sparkling Water

Lemon Wedge and Cranberry Garnish

Place all liquid ingredients except sparkling water in mixing glass with ice. Shake vigorously until frothy. Add sparkling water to highball glass over fresh ice. Top with strained cocktail shaker mixture. Garnish with lemon wedge and cranberry.

Jack Frost

2 ounces Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey

2 Tablespoons Cherry Juice or Grenadine

1/4 cup Orange Juice

1/4 cup Sour Mix

Maraschino Cherries Garnish

Combine all liquid ingredients in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to chill. Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice. Garnish with maraschino cherries.

p.i.n.k. Christmas Cocktail

1-1/2 ounce p.i.n.k. Vodka

1-1/2 ounce Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur

1 ounce Half & Half Cream

Splash of Frangelico

Splash of Chambord

Red Raspberries Garnish

Combine liquids in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously until frothy. Pour into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with skewered red raspberries.

Holiday Sangria – created by Chef Ryan Scott

1 bottle Dry Red Wine

1/4 cup Brown Sugar

1 cup Orange Juice

1 Orange, thinly sliced

1 Lemon, thinly sliced

2 whole Pink Grapefruit, peeled, seeded and segmented

1 Papaya, diced

1 Mango, diced

3/4 cup Red Grapes, halved

2 bottles Zipang Sparkling Sake

4 cups Ice cubes

Place wine and brown sugar in large pitcher. Stir until sugar is completely dissolved. Add in orange juice and fruits. Let mixture stand for 30 minutes. Divide between 8 serving glasses. Pour over fresh ice. Top with sake.

Corzo Holly

1-1/2 parts Corzo Reposado Tequila

3/4 part Fresh Lime Juice

1 part Simple Syrup

3 Fresh Strawberries – Quartered

3 Fresh Basil Leaves

1/8 part Balsamic Vinegar

Fresh Strawberry Garnish

Muddle strawberries, basil leaves and vinegar in mixing glass. Add remaining liquid ingredients with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with fresh sliced strawberry.

Cazadorez Mistletoe Margarita

1-1/2 parts Tequila Cazadores Reposado

2 parts Pomegranate Juice

1/2 part Sour Mix

1/2 part Triple Sec

1/2 part Grenadine

Splash Fresh Lime Juice

Lime Wedge Garnish

Salt for Rim

Rim edge of rocks glass with salt if desired. Set aside. Combine all liquid ingredients in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice. Garnish with lime wedge.

Silent Dos Lunas Night

1 ounce Dos Lunas Silver Tequila

1 ounce Pomegranate Juice

Chilled Champagne

Place tequila and pomegranate juice in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to chill. Strain into chilled champagne flute. Top with champagne. Stir gently.

42Below Holiday Punch

1-1/2 parts 42Below Passionfruit

1 part Fresh Lime Juice

1/2 part Martini Rosso

1/2 part Benedictine

1 part Red Wine

1 part Spiced Syrup* (cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, orange peel, clove and star anise)

2 part Pink Grapefruit Juice

Garnish with fruits of choice.

*Spiced Syrup – 2 parts Sugar, 1 part water: Dissolve over low heat with cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, orange peel, clove and star anise spices added in. Allow to cool.

Place all ingredients in large pitcher. Stir. Add large block of ice. Serve immediately.

G’ingle Bell

1 ounce G’vine Nouaison

1/4 ounce Lillet Blanc

1/2 ounce Apple Liqueur

1/2 ounce Simple syrup

1/4 ounce Lime Juice

Place ingredients in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into cocktail glass.

Sleigh Ride

4 ounces Hot Apple Cider

1 ounce Averna

2 ounces Whiskey

1/2 teaspoon Honey

Cinnamon Stick

Place Averna and whiskey in heat proof mug. Add hot cider and honey. Stir with cinnamon stick. Allow cinnamon stick to infuse into drink for a few minutes before serving.

Christmas Snowball

1/4 ounce Anisette or Pernod Absinthe

1/4 ounce Crème de Violette

1/4 ounce Heavy Cream

1/4 ounce White Crème de Menthe

1 ounce Plymouth Gin

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

Tinsel Bellini

2 ounces HPNOTIQ

1 ounce Limoncello

1 ounce Champagne

Splash of lime juice

Sugar for Rim

Rim chilled champagne flute with sugar. Set aside. Place Hpnotiq, limoncello and lime juice in mixing glass with ice. Stir or shake to chill. Strain into sugar rimmed champagne flute. Top with champagne.

White Christmas

1 ounce Right Gin

1 ounce Baileys Irish Cream

1/2 ounce Bénédictine

1/2 ounce Half & Half

Fresh Grated Nutmeg and Cinnamon Garnish

Place all liquid ingredients in mixing glass with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into cocktail glass or dessert wine glass. Dust with nutmeg and cinnamon.

Candy Cane Swirl

1 ounce SKYY Infusions Raspberry

3 ounces Cranberry Juice

1/2 ounce Grenadine

1/2 ounce Peppermint Schnapps

Sprite or 7Up

Candy Canes

Rim chilled martini glass with crushed candy cane. Combine SKYY Vodka, Peppermint Schnapps, Cranberry Juice and Grenadine into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously to chill. Strain into candy cane rimmed martini glass. Top with splash of Sprite. Garnish with small peppermint candy cane.

Berry Merry Christmas

1-1/4 ounce Right Gin

3/4 ounce Pomegranate Liqueur

2 ounce Pomegranate Blueberry Juice

1/4 ounce Blueberry Syrup

3 dashes Blood Orange Bitters

2 wedges Lime (squeezed)

1 ounce Sparkling Wine

Fresh Strawberries and Blueberries Garnish

Place all liquids except sparkling wine into cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to chill. Strain into highball glass over fresh ice. Top with sparkling wine. Garnish with sliced strawberries and blueberries.

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Posted in Christmas Cocktails

Tagged Absinthe, Amaro, Apple Liqueur, Balsamic Vinegar, Benedictine, Bitters, Blueberry Juice, Champagne, Chocolate Liqueur, Cider, Creme de Menthe, Creme de Violette, Egg White, Fresh Lemon, Fresh Lime, Gin, Grapefruit Juice, Grapes, Grenadine, Half & Half, Hazelnut Liqueur, Heavy Cream, Honey, Hpnotiq, Irish Cream, Lemon Lime Soda, Lillet Blanc, Limoncello, Orange Bitters, Orange Juice, Passion Fruit Vodka, Peppermint Schnapps, Pomegranate Juice, Raspberry Liqueur, Raspberry Vodka, Sake, Simple Syrup, Sour Mix, Strawberries, Tequila, Triple Sec, Vodka, Whiskey, Wine

Cocktail Recipes Enter The Twilight Zone

Posted on October 1, 2009 | Leave a comment

You are now entering The Twilight Zone…of cocktail recipes that is. The Twilight Zone aired as a television series fifty years ago today, a full decade before I was born. Yet, I remember bits and pieces of the series like most TV goers in varying ranges of age. The show is iconic with a few revivals and 156 original episodes. Perhaps its cult-like following through the years had to do with its peculiar plot twists woven in with a bit of whimsy and science fiction fantasy. We’ve all heard the saying that truth is stranger than fiction. In the case of Rod Serling’s capricious, fanciful tales – the twist of fate and unknown is perhaps the most unnerving as its truth hits closest to home as it drives each of our inner fears tapping at what niggles at the demon inside each of us.

Perhaps most interesting about The Twilight Zone are favorite episodes among viewers. There are of course the Top 10 Favorite Twilight Zone Episodes as chosen by registered users on tv.com. What about the favorites that you, readers of The Intoxicologist site, Twitter and Facebook users have chosen? Rod Serling touched on trepidation or intrigue with his characters and woven tale in these reader favorites.

Nightmare at 20,000 Feet made the list of reader favorites and tv.com Top 10 Favorite Twilight Zone Episodes. It was described as ‘spooky’ by one. William Shatner starred. While flying high on a plane he looks out to capture sight of a Gremlin trying to disengage the aircraft of its engine. The problem is he already has a history of being a bit crazy and no one else sees the Gremlin.

Green Devil

2 ounces Gin

1/2 ounce Lime Cordial

1/4 ounce Green Crème de Menthe

Combine ingredients in a mixing glass with ice. Shake to blend. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.

Green Devil definitely carries minty lime undercurrent. The mint lingers heavily in the finish and warmth through the throat. Color is perfectly lime Jell-O green making this an excellent color for the holiday time of year or save it for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.

Gremlin

1-1/2 ounce Vodka

3/4 ounce Blue Curacao

3/4 ounce Rum

Splash Orange Juice

Place liquids in mixing glass with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into a cocktail glass.

Ever want to win something so badly you’ll say a prayer, whisper something under your breath or just promise, promise, promise to do anything for it? Jesse Cardiff did and champion pool player Fats Brown rose from the dead in a fog filled pool room. A Game of Pool doesn’t rank in the Top Ten, but it does teach a valuable lesson…careful what you wish for. Jesse bets his life on a wish.

Lady Luck

1/2 ounce Armagnac

1/2 ounce Pear Liqueur

Champagne

Pear Slice Garnish

Combine Armagnac and pear liqueur in mixing glass with ice. Stir to chill. Strain into champagne flute. Top with champagne. Garnish with pear slice.

Lady Luck tastes a lot like…champagne. Lovely and festive without going overboard on pear flavor. Possibly up the Armagnac to 3/4 ounce for a little more ‘umph’. If you’re going to use it for flavor, you might as well taste it. This drink recipe would be ideal for holiday parties.

Death Wish

1 part Grenadine

1 part Bourbon

1 part Peppermint Schnapps

1 part 151 Rum

Layer ingredients in the order given in a pony glass or shooter.

Time Enough at Last has been parodied on many shows even The Simpsons. Even so, it doesn’t merit a ranking on tv.com by its registered voters. What’s up with that?! It did however get listed as #25 on TV Guide/TV Land’s 100 Hundred Most Memorable TV Moments. Guess that speaks for something.

Fancy Free Cocktail

2 ounces Bourbon

1/2 ounce Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur

1 dash Classic Bitters

1 dash Orange Bitters

Combine in a mixing glass with ice. Stir to chill. Strain into a cocktail glass.

Fancy Free is entirely too sweet for my palate, but the bitters do add nice spicy kick to this bourbon cocktail. Maybe tone down the sugar factor by decreasing the Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur to 1/4 ounce to add flavor balance without so much sugar rush.

Fine & Dandy

2 ounces Canadian Whiskey

1/2 ounce Dubonnet Rouge

1/2 ounce Triple Sec

Lemon Twist Garnish

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

Mirror Image was an unusual choice for Halloween themed shows airing at the time. Rod Serling said that this story was based on a real-life experience that he had. Perhaps it was all just a sense of déjà vu for Rod Serling or he had just been in a bus station before.

According to The Bartender’s Best Friend by Mardee Haidin Regan the following Pink Lady cocktail is an updated formulation to the original 1930’s classic cocktail recipe.

Pink Lady

2 ounces Gin

1/2 ounce Heavy Cream

2 dashes Grenadine

1 Egg White

Place ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake thoroughly to blend and chill. Strain into a cocktail glass.

Pink Lady was chosen for the demure female character that has a most unlikely breakdown among strangers. Not only is the Pink Lady a classic cocktail recipe, it is light on flavor, not even remotely sweet, tart or tangy. Gin sifts through gently as if on a cloud of fluff. This is delightful.

Greyhound

2-1/2 ounces Vodka

4 ounces Grapefruit Juice

Build over ice in a highball glass. Stir.

While most of us say we would never, ever relive our teenage years…just once wouldn’t it be kind of cool to glance at what we were like as kids? For scientific purposes of course! That way we would have proof for our kids that we never, ever behaved the way they do. Just saying… Walking Distance is about a man who revisits his past and meets up with things that could change his future.

Merry-Go-Round Martini

2 parts Gin

1/2 part Dry Vermouth

1/2 part Sweet Vermouth

Olive & Lemon Zest Twist Garnish

Stir in ice. Strain into martini glass.

I’m not sure what the olive does for this cocktail other than create an intriguing garnish, but the drink spins out rather stunningly. Great fall color with a touch of perfect vermouth balance.

Bitter-Sweet

1 ounce Sweet Vermouth

1 ounce Dry Vermouth

2 dashes Classic Bitters

Lemon Twist Garnish

Pour vermouths and bitters in a mixing tin with ice. Stir until thoroughly chilled. Strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with lemon twist.

Quote: “To Serve Man” was the scariest Twilight Zone of my childhood. – from a Twitter user. Was it the aliens or the extremely creepy ending? I never actually saw this episode, but only read the review. I had to do a double take. Talk about gruesome! If there were parental advisories back in the day, this episode would have had one for sinister factor.

Red Death

1/2 ounce Vodka

1/2 ounce Sloe Gin

1/2 ounce Southern Comfort

1/2 ounce Triple Sec

2-1/2 ounces Orange Juice

Combine ingredients in a mixing glass. Stir. Pour into a highball glass over fresh ice.

Red Death is sensational, but leans toward the sweeter side of cocktails. It has unusual kick to it in the middle and finishing taste. If one has to hang with the Martians and go and untimely death…what a way to sip at it.

Allies Cocktail

1 ounce Gin

1 ounce Dry Vermouth

1/4 ounce Kummel

Place liquids in a mixing glass with ice. Shake to chill. Strain into a cocktail glass.

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Posted in Cocktails, Daily Holidays

Tagged Armagnac, Blue Curacao, Bourbon, Canadian Whisky, Champagne, Classic Bitters, Creme de Menthe, Dry Vermouth, Dubonnet, Egg White, Gin, Grapefruit Juice, Grenadine, Heavy Cream, Kummel, Lime Cordial, Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur, Orange Bitters, Orange Juice, Pear Liqueur, Peppermint Schnapps, Rum, Sloe Gin, Southern Comfort, Sweet Vermouth, The Twilight Zone, Triple Sec, Vodka

Political Mixology: The Grand Ole Party

Posted on November 2, 2008 | Leave a comment

The Grand Ole Party – Pat M.

2 measures Canadian Club Whisky

1 measure Clear Crème de Menthe

1 measure Peppermint Schnapps

Combine liquids in mixing glass with ice. Stir or shake according to preference. Strain into rocks glass over shaved ice. Serve with straw.

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.