Tag Archives: Premium Orange Liqueur

Brandy Sidecar

Posted on November 10, 2011 | Leave a comment

When the evening calls for something classic…

Brandy Sidecar

1-3/4 E&J VSOP Brandy

3/4 measure Cointreau

1/2 measure Lemon Juice

Orange Twist

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

Citrus with tones of rich dark spirit weaved throughout. Marshmallow softness with great vanilla wisps.

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 – ©2011 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 Classic Cocktails

Tagged Brandy, Cointreau, Fresh Lemon, Premium Orange Liqueur

Viennese Espresso

Posted on October 16, 2011 | Leave a comment

Viennese Espresso

1 measure Coffee Liqueur

1 measure Premium Orange Liqueur

1 measure Espresso Coffee

Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to chill. Strain into rocks glass over crushed ice.

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 Cocktails

Tagged Coffee, Coffee Liqueur, Espresso, Premium Orange Liqueur

Review: Dragon Bleu Flavored Vodkas

Posted on October 13, 2011 | Leave a comment

Dragon Bleu White Ginger Tasting Notes

Vodka infused with natural ginger and agave syrup

40% Alcohol – 80 proof

Color: Misty white. Cloudy like fresh lemonade without the pulp.

Aroma: Faintest dab of ginger. Some sweetness. Citrus such as lemon zest.

Taste: Beautiful lilting soft ginger flavor. Tinge of sweetness, but definitely not sugary like liqueurs. Perhaps there is just enough gentle sweetness to tame some of the bite ginger can sometimes leave on the tongue.

Misty Eyed – created by Cheri Loughlin

1-1/2 measure Dragon Bleu White Ginger

1/4 measure Elderflower Liqueur

1/2 measure Premium Orange Liqueur

1/2 measure Fresh Lemon Juice

1-1/2 measure Club Soda

Lemon Wedge Garnish

Combine liquids except club soda in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend. Strain into highball glass over fresh ice. Top with club soda. Stir. Garnish with lemon wedge.

Refreshing with light sweetness mingling softly with brush of ginger.

Dragon Bleu Rose Blossom Tasting Notes

Vodka infused with natural rose and agave nectar

40% Alcohol – 80 Proof

Color: Crystal clear.

Aroma: Barely there hint of rose. Slight perfume. More traditional vodka aroma.

Taste: Definite rose especially in the after taste. Much sweeter than expected, but still not to the degree of liqueur.

I’ll be completely honest and say I am not a fan of roses, rose scent and especially not a fan of rose water or rose flavored cocktails. However, cocktail culture ventures more and more toward varied cocktails utilizing botanicals / floral flavors. The addition of rose in cocktails is quite popular.

Crème Yvette immediately comes to mind as wonderful addition to the Dragon Bleu Rose Blossom.

Bleu Rose – created by Cheri Loughlin

1-1/2 measure Dragon Bleu Rose Blossom

3/4 measure Crème Yvette

1/2 measure Fresh Lemon Juice

2 measures Brut Champagne

Combine liquids except champagne in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled coupe. Top with brut champagne.

Quite lovely. Champagne highlights the rose flavor while softening it at the same time. Color lends itself well to holiday parties and celebrations.

Dragon Bleu Penja Pepper Tasting Notes

Vodka infused with natural penja pepper and agave nectar.

40% Alcohol – 80 Proof

Color: Crystal clear

Aroma: Total traditional vodka aroma. No hint of pepper or sugar.

Taste: Sweetness followed by pepper such as mild black pepper. Quickly fades rather than scalding the tongue. Almost too much sweetness in comparison to the peppery spice. The sweet to pepper flavors are slightly in competition with one another. Although, the sweet to peppery flavor has me instantly craving salty thin potato chips. Lays potato chips to be precise… Lays potato chips… like a cocktail you can’t have just one.

Sentimental Dragon – created by Cheri Loughlin

2 measures Dragon Bleu Penja Pepper

1/2 measure Velvet Falernum

3/4 measure Fresh Lime Juice

Dash of Classic Bitters

Sea Salt

Rim chilled cocktail glass with sea salt. Set aside. Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into prepared cocktail glass.

Salty. Sweet. Gentle heat. They all come together quite nicely.

Dragon Bleu Flavored Vodka samples for review provided by representatives of the brand. Join Dragon Bleu on Facebook and follow @DragonBleu on Twitter.

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Posted in Cocktails, Reviews

Tagged Champagne, Classic Bitters, Club Soda, Creme Yvette, Dragon Bleu Vodka, Elderflower Liqueur, Fresh Lemon, Fresh Lime, Ginger Vodka, Pepper Vodka, Premium Orange Liqueur, Rose Vodka, Velvet Falernum, Vodka

Cocktail Diverse Appletini

Posted on September 26, 2011 | Leave a comment

One would think the Appletini would be a cinch to make. Vodka and a little apple liqueur and voila, one has the perfect cocktail set before them. Not so. This little number is a bit more sophisticated than expected. It can be a breeze for sure, but only if one wants mediocre results. Why settle for average when the exceptional is only a jigger and shake away?

The Appletini is a contemporary cocktail on the International Bartenders Association’s list of official cocktails. It is classified among the family of duo and trio drinks, meaning it is comprised of two or three ingredients. This particular family of drinks is remarkable due to the nature of its flexibility. All of the cocktails begin with only two or three ingredients, making them a fantastic building block for many more drinks to discover and create. This paves the way for duo and trio drinks to go from the ordinary to the extraordinary with only minor changes in dashes or quarter to half ounce additions of bitters, liqueurs and juices. The Appletini is no different. It can go beyond the comic book Green Goblin color to the amazing flavorful cocktail that sends the taste buds zinging with a few minor changes.

Appletini

2 measures Vodka

1 measure Green Apple Liqueur

Apple Slice Garnish

Place liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with apple slice.

The basic recipe is uneventful. It gets the job done. There is indeed apple flavor and the punch of liquor in it, but no layering of flavor to make it interesting. Some adjust the ratios and add apple juice at this point, making this a trio drink.

Appletini

1 measure Vodka

1 measure Green Apple Liqueur

1 measure Apple Juice

Apple Slice Garnish

Place liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with apple slice.

This trio Appletini possibly has a bit of layering to it, but now it seems a wee bit watered down. While using fresh juice in fruit based cocktails is always a plus, it is doubtful most would have fresh apple juice in the refrigerator. Even so, apple juice is still thin and weak. Fresh squeezed will always be better in a cocktail, even if it is not the fresh squeezed juice you may expect.

The answer to the multilayered, abundantly flavored Appletini was created by Dale DeGroff for Natalie Cole and her manager for Rupert Murdoch’s seventieth birthday party. You can read a small quip about it in his book, The Craft of the Cocktail, and acquire an abundance of other essential cocktails you won’t believe you ever went without. Below is DeGroff’s version of the indispensable Appletini with fresh lemon juice.

Sour Apple Martini – DaleDeGroff from The Craft of the Cocktail

2 measures Citrus Vodka

1/2 measure Sour Apple Pucker

1/2 measure Premium Orange Liqueur

3/4 measure Lemon Juice

Granny Smith Apple Slice Garnish

Place liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with apple slice

The Waterfront Ale House in New York City has a specialty Apple Martini using their own infused vodka with pear, apples, cloves and cinnamon. You will find the recipe for this Apple Martini in The Craft of the Cocktailas well. It is definitely a must see!

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Posted in Cocktails

Tagged Apple Juice, Appletini, Dale DeGroff, Fresh Lemon, Green Apple Liqueur, Premium Orange Liqueur, Sour Apple Pucker, Vodka

Review: Pucker Me Pleased

Posted on August 29, 2011 | Leave a comment

Flavored vodkas have become a dime a dozen on liquor store shelves. Some are creatively clever with wild infusions from bacon to tarragon and lavender. Standard flavors are relatively easy to interchange no matter which quality brand one chooses from the shelf. When one stares at the rows of flavored vodkas it is a little difficult to choose one brand of vanilla vodka from another. Usually the decision comes down to price point or picking up a tried and true favorite brand. However there are those flavors that stand out a little more than others due uniqueness in flavor.

The line of Pucker Vodkas clearly stands out with their faint sweetness and truly pucker worthy sweet tart flavors. Citrus is no longer just a hint of orange, lemon and lime rolled into one. Citrus Pucker brings “ooo la la” mouth watering excitement to the lips. It defies ordinary. Definitely designed with Girls Night Out in mind and times when flavorful fun happy hour supersedes old fashioned classics.

Citrus Pucker Vodka

Aroma: Dry powder orange / citrus with hint of sweetness.

Taste: Definite pucker worthy sour right from the start! Lemony / orange with bit of artificial feel. Sour to sweet combination is intriguing.

Can see this as a terrific flavored vodka mixing spirit. Great basis for lemon drop cocktails and shooters with nice appeal for various other fruity drinks on the agenda.

Lemon Drop – created by Cheri Loughlin

1-1/2 measure Citrus Pucker Vodka

3/4 measure Lemon Juice

3/4 measure O3 Premium Orange Liqueur

1-1/2 measure Lemonade

Lemon Wheel Garnish

Sugar for Rim

Slide lemon around rim of chilled cocktail glass. Dip lemony rim in sugar. Set aside. Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into prepared cocktail glass. Garnish with lemon wheel.

Sour Apple Sass Pucker Vodka

Aroma: Makes the mouth water. Reminds me of apple flavored Jolly Ranchers and apple flavored Laffy Taffy. Smells like sweetly ripened granny smith apples.

Taste: Hint of sweetness. Terrific tart apple flavor. Just marvelous for mixing all sorts of apple cocktails. Caramel covered apple comes to mind right off the bat. Perfect for fun fruity apple shots, too.

Sassy Apple Shot – created by Cheri Loughlin

1 measure Sour Apple Sass Pucker Vodka

1/2 measure O3 Premium Orange Liqueur

1/2 measure Ginger Ale

1/4 measure Lemon Juice

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

Cherry Tease Pucker Vodka

Aroma: Not as tart as the other Pucker Vodkas. Bitter cherry with vanilla sweetness. Hint of lush coming through. Not quite “fresh” cherry aroma.

Taste: Smoother and less tart than the other Pucker Vodkas. Vanilla definitely blended into the flavor. Dark cherry, artificial in flavor.

Chocolate Covered Cherry – created by Cheri Loughlin

1-1/2 measure Cherry Tease Pucker Vodka

3/4 measure White Crème de Cacao

2 measures Cranberry Juice

Maraschino Cherry Garnish

Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled cocktail glass. Drop in cherry to sink to the bottom of the glass.

Just WOW! Chocolate, cherry and vanilla combine exactly right. Though the spirit comes across a bit artificial in flavor when tasted neat, Cherry Tease Pucker Vodka clearly stands up to the test when mixed in cocktails.

Grape Gone Wild Pucker Vodka

Aroma: Laffy Taffy grape flavor is the automatic first impression. Sweetness, lush aroma. Not fresh grape, but the ideal sweetened grape candy feel.

Taste: Little more artificial with scant taste of perfume. Totally grape in flavor through and through.

Italian Kiss – created by Cheri Loughlin

1-1/2 measure Grape Gone Wild Pucker Vodka

1/2 measure Amaretto

2 measures Cranberry Juice

Maraschino Cherry Garnish

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

Nice flavor. Surprising how well the flavors of grape and amaretto combine in this cocktail. Grape flavored vodka doesn’t necessarily have to mean candied fruit cocktails.

A special Girls Night Out evening recently brought women to the bar to sample the Pucker Vodka line. Sour Apple Sass Pucker Vodka proved to be a huge hit. Ideas for more cocktails and shots were created and sampled on the spot proving the terrific versatility of this particular spirit. Women commented on the pleasing bottle design with its fun factor and sleekness.

Pucker Vodka samples for review and Girls Night Out tasting provided by representatives of Beam Global Wine & Spirits. Please email Cheri for more information about featuring specific brands in Girls Night Out parties.

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Posted in Cocktails, Girl's Night Out, Reviews

Tagged Amaretto, Apple Vodka, Cherry Vodka, Citrus Vodka, Cranberry Juice, Creme de Cacao, Fresh Lemon, Ginger Ale, Girl's Night Out, Grape Vodka, Lemonade, O3 Premium Orange Liqueur, Orange Liqueur, Premium Orange Liqueur, Pucker Vodka, Vodka

5 o’clock Scholar

Posted on August 22, 2011 | Leave a comment

Sage gives this refreshing cocktail its fresh, summery feel. Great color, terrific aroma with light touch in flavor.

5 o’clock Scholar – created by Cheri Loughlin

4 Fresh Sage Leaves

2 measures Brandy

1/2 measure Premium Orange Liqueur

1/4 measure Lemon Juice

2 measures Peach Nectar

Sage Leaf Garnish

Combine liquids and 4 sage leaves in mixing glass with ice. Shake vigorously to bruise herbs and chill liquids. Double strain into chilled cocktail glass. Float sage leave on top of cocktail as garnish.

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Posted in Cocktails, Daily Holidays

Tagged Brandy, Eat a Peach Day, Fresh Lemon, Orange Liqueur, Peach Nectar, Premium Orange Liqueur, Sage

White Hot Chocolate Warmth

Posted on January 31, 2011 | 2 Comments

It’s difficult to resist the temptation of the sweetly satisfying taste of rich and luscious hot chocolate when Jack Frost comes knocking at the door. This childhood favorite winter treat gets an adult splash of spirited goodness for a toasty winter warm up.

White Hot Chocolate

3 pints Milk

6 ounces White Chocolate – broken

2 teaspoons Instant Coffee

6 tablespoons Premium Orange Liqueur

Whipped Cream & Ground Cinnamon Garnish

Heat milk in heavy saucepan to low simmer. Remove from heat. Add white chocolate, coffee powder and liqueur. Stir until chocolate is completely melted. Pour into heat proof mugs. Top with dollop of whipped cream. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Serves four. Notation: Instant coffees such as Maxwell House International Café flavored coffee powders make an excellent choice for the instant coffee use in this recipe. This allows a bit more play in flavoring the drink.

The spirited cocktail calendar mentions January 31 as National Hot Chocolate Day.

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Posted in Barista Cafe, Daily Holidays

Tagged Coffee, Hot Chocolate, Milk, National Hot Chocolate Day, Premium Orange Liqueur, Whipped Cream, White Chocolate, White Hot Chocolate, Winter Warmer

Make Mine a Manhattan Holiday

Posted on December 10, 2010 | 3 Comments

If you can’t make it to Manhattan for the holidays, bring Manhattan to a glass near you. Who would have thought there could be more than a handful of variations on the classic Manhattan recipe? This tried and true favorite has been tweaked, pinched, played with and adapted in so many ways it becomes difficult to decipher where the classic begins and ends. With so many degrees in flavor preference and style, the base recipe sees adjustment with flavored liqueurs, juices and additional spirits.

The variations of Manhattan recipes below bring a wide variety of contrasting styles to the forefront while keeping to the thread of at least one thing in common; bourbon. The first few closely match the classic Manhattan with call brands. After that the Manhattan gets a little more interesting.

The Woodford Manhattan

2 ounces Woodford Reserve Bourbon

1 ounce Sweet Vermouth

1 dash Angostura Bitters

1 dash Peychaud’s Bitters

Splash of Cherry Juice

Bourbon Infused Cherry Garnish

Place liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Stir or shake according to preference until completely chilled. Strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with bourbon infused cherry.

Wild Turkey Manhattan

2 ounces Wild Turkey Bourbon

1 ounce Sweet Vermouth

1 dash Angostura Bitters

Maraschino Cherry Garnish

Place liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Stir or shake according to preference until completely chilled. Strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with maraschino cherry.

Knob Creek Manhattan

2-1/2 ounces Knob Creek Bourbon

3/4 ounce Sweet Vermouth

Dash Angostura Bitters

Maraschino Cherry Garnish

Place liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Stir or shake according to preference until completely chilled. Strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with maraschino cherry.

The Maker’s Mark Manhattan

1-1/2 ounces Maker’s Mark Bourbon

1/2 ounce Carpano Antica Formula

1 teaspoon Maraschino Cherry Juice

Maraschino Cherry Garnish

Place liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Stir or shake according to preference until completely chilled. Strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with maraschino cherry.

Buffalo in Manhattan

1-1/2 ounce Buffalo Trace Bourbon

1/4 ounce Sweet Vermouth or Dry Vermouth

Dash of Bitters

Maraschino Cherry Garnish

Place liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Stir or shake according to preference until completely chilled. Strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with maraschino cherry.

The Woodford Mediterranean Manhattan

2 ounces Woodford Reserve Bourbon

1 ounce Tuaca Liqueur

1/4 ounce Fresh Lemon Juice

1/2 ounce Simple Syrup

Lemon Twist

Place liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until completely chilled. Strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with lemon twist.

Italian Manhattan

1-1/2 ounce Maker’s Mark Bourbon

1/2 ounce Amaretto

1/4 ounce Maraschino Cherry Juice

Cherry & Orange Slice Garnish

Place liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Stir or shake according to preference until completely chilled. Strain into chilled martini glass or serve over fresh ice in rocks glass. Garnish with skewered cherry and orange slice.

Preakness Manhattan

1-1/2 ounce Bourbon

1/4 ounce Brandy

1/2 ounce Benedictine

1/2 ounce Sweet Vermouth

3 dashes Angostura Bitters

Lemon Twist Garnish

Place liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Stir or shake according to preference until completely chilled. Strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with lemon twist.

Myong’s Manhattan – created by Myong Park

2 ounces Evan Williams Bourbon

1/2 ounce Lillet Rouge

1/2 ounce Sweet Vermouth

1/2 ounce Aperol

Orange Twist Garnish

Place liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Stir or shake according to preference until completely chilled. Strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with orange twist.

Sainted Manhattan

3 ounces Eagle Rare Bourbon

3/4 ounce St-Germain

3/4 ounce Noilly Prat Dry Vermouth

Dash Angostura Bitters

Place liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Stir or shake according to preference until completely chilled. Strain into chilled martini glass.

Esquire Manhattan

2 ounces Woodford Reserve bourbon

1 ounce Cinzano Red Vermouth

2 dashes Angostura Bitters

1 dash Pernod 68 Absinthe

Lemon Peel Garnish

Place liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Stir until completely chilled. Strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with thin cut lemon peel over the top.

Rat Pack Manhattan

2 ounces Elmer T Lee Bourbon

1/2 ounce Sweet Vermouth

1/2 ounce Dry Vermouth

Splash Grand Marnier

Maraschino Cherry & Orange Zest Garnish

Place ice in martini glass. Add Grand Marnier. Swirl liqueur in glass to rinse and throw out. Place bourbon and vermouths in mixing glass with ice. Place liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Stir or shake according to preference until completely chilled. Strain into prepared martini glass. Garnish with maraschino cherry and fresh orange zest.

Rat Pack Manhattan

1-1/2 ounce Makers Mark Bourbon

1/2 ounce Sweet Vermouth

2 dashes of Bitters

Cherry Garnish

Place liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Stir or shake according to preference until completely chilled. Strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with cherry.

New Orleans Manhattan

1-1/2 ounce Bourbon

1/2 ounce Sweet Vermouth

1/2 ounce Frangelico

Cherry Garnish

Place ice in martini glass. Add Frangelico. Swirl liqueur in glass to rinse and throw out. Place bourbon and vermouth in mixing glass with ice. Place liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Stir or shake according to preference until completely chilled. Strain into prepared martini glass. Garnish with cherry.

Chambord Manhattan

2 ounces Bourbon

1 ounce Chambord

Dash of Bitters

Cherry Garnish

Place liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Stir or shake according to preference until completely chilled. Strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with cherry.

Dubonnet Manhattan

3/4 ounce Dubonnet Rouge

1-3/4 ounce Evan Williams Bourbon

1/4 ounce Dry Vermouth

3 dashes Angostura Bitters

Lemon Twist & Cherry Garnish

Place liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Stir or shake according to preference until completely chilled. Strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with lemon twist and cherry.

Beam Black Cherry Manhattan

2 ounces Jim Beam Bourbon

1 ounce Sweet Vermouth

1 ounce Dry Vermouth

Splash Grenadine

Cherry & Stuffed Olive Garnish

Fusion Manhattan

2 ounces X-Rated Fusion Liqueur

1 ounce Maker’s Mark Bourbon

2 dashes Bitters

Squeezed Cherry Garnish

Place liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until completely chilled. Strain into chilled martini glass. Squeeze cherry and drop into cocktail.

Knob Creek Cherry-infused Manhattan

Cherry-infused Knob Creek Bourbon

1/2 – 3/4 bottle Knob Creek Bourbon

1/2 quart jar Maraschino Cherries

Drain 3/4 of the maraschino cherry juice from the jar of cherries. Pour enough Knob Creek Bourbon into the jar to refill the jar. Put the lid on the jar and allow to set for two days.

Cherry-infused Knob Creek Bourbon Manhattan

1-1/4 ounce Cherry-infused Knob Creek Bourbon

1/4 ounce Sweet Vermouth

2 dashes Bitters

Cherry Garnish

Place liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Stir or shake according to preference until completely chilled. Strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with cherry.

Biscayne Manhattan

1-1/2 ounce Bourbon

1/2 ounce Sweet Vermouth

2 ounces Orange Juice

Several Dashes Yellow Chartreuse

Orange Slice Garnish

Place liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Stir or shake according to preference until completely chilled. Strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with orange slice.

Blue Grass Blues Manhattan

1-1/2 ounce Bourbon

1/2 ounce Dry Vermouth

3 dashes Blue Curacao

3 dashes Angostura Bitters

Lemon or Orange Twist

Place liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Stir or shake according to preference until completely chilled. Strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with lemon or orange twist according to preference

Wild Turkey Rare Manhattan

2 ounces Wild Turkey Rare Breed

3/4 ounce Sweet Vermouth

1/2 ounce Sherry

3 dashes Angostura Bitters

Lemon Twist

Place liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Stir or shake according to preference until completely chilled. Strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with lemon twist.

The Woodford French Manhattan

2 ounces Woodford Reserve Bourbon

1 ounce Chambord

Dash of Bitters

Cherry or Lemon Twist Garnish

Place liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Stir or shake according to preference until completely chilled. Strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with cherry or lemon twist according to preference

Satin Manhattan

1-1/2 ounce Bourbon

1/2 ounce Grand Marnier

1/2 ounce Sweet Vermouth

Lemon Twist

Place liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Stir or shake according to preference until completely chilled. Strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with lemon twist.

Blood Orange Manhattan

1-1/2 ounce Bulleit Bourbon

1/4 ounce Sweet Vermouth

1-1/2 ounce Blood Orange Mixer

Dash Blood Orange Bitters

Cherry Garnish

Place liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Stir or shake according to preference until completely chilled. Strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with cherry.

Red Manhattan

2 ounces Red Stag by Jim Beam Infused Bourbon

1/2 ounce Dry Vermouth

1/2 ounce Sweet Vermouth

Black Cherry Garnish

Place liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Stir or shake according to preference until completely chilled. Strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with cherry.

Boulevard Manhattan

1-1/2 ounce Bourbon

1/4 ounce Grand Marnier

1/4 ounce Dry Vermouth

3 dashes Orange Bitters

Cherry & Orange Twist Garnish

Place liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Stir or shake according to preference until completely chilled. Strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with cherry and orange twist.

Westchester Manhattan

2 ounces Bourbon

1/4 ounce Dry Vermouth

1/4 ounce Rose’s Lime Juice

3 dashes Angostura Bitters

Cherry or Lemon Twist Garnish

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Posted in Christmas Cocktails, Classic Cocktails, Whiskey Cocktails

Tagged Absinthe, Amaretto, Aperol, Benedictine, Blue Curacao, Bourbon, Brandy, Carpano Antica Formula, Chartreuse, Cherry Juice, Classic Bitters, Dry Vermouth, Dubonnet, Frangelico, Fresh Lemon, Grenadine, Hazelnut Liqueur, Lillet Rouge, Lime Cordial, Orange Juice, Premium Orange Liqueur, Raspberry Liqueur, Red Stag by Jim Beam, Sherry, Shery, Simple Syrup, St-Germain, Sweet Vermouth, Tuaca, Whiskey, X-Rated Fusion

Eye Opening Hot Holiday Coffees, Ciders & Tea Recipes

Posted on November 22, 2010 | 1 Comment

There is no rest for the weary on Thanksgiving morning. Cooks across the country will rise early and be thankful for the eye opening warmth of caffeine in their cups as baking and basting begin for Turkey Day. Find a few coffee, cider and tea recipes to warm your holiday spirit throughout the early morning hours or save these temptingly delicious treats for after dinner dessert by the fire.

Castries Coffee

2 ounces Castries Peanut Rum Creme

4 ounces Fresh Brewed Coffee

Nutmeg and/or Chocolate Shavings Garnish

Combine ingredients in a pre-heated mug, sprinkle with nutmeg or garnish with chocolate biscotti.

Official Site Tasting Notes: Warm, robust coffee flavor with a creamy peanut finish. Enjoy anytime, anywhere.

Mexican Coffee

1 ounce Agavero

Cup of fresh brewed coffee

Dollop of fresh cream

Place Agavero in heat resistant mug. Add fresh brewed coffee. Garnish with fresh cream.

Café Pacifico

1-1/2 ounce Partida Blanco Tequila

1/2 ounce Coffee Liqueur

4 ounces Freshly Brewed Hot Coffee

3 Bar Spoons Cinnamon & Sugar Mix

Heavy Cream

Prepare small warm wine glass. Add Tequila and Coffee. Mix in the cinnamon sugar. Float heavy cream on top of the coffee. Garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar mix on top and a cinnamon stick. Note: The cinnamon sugar mix is 4 parts granulated white sugar to 1 part ground cinnamon. Mix them together in a bowl.

Kentucky Coffee

1 part Maker’s Mark Bourbon

1 part Starbucks Cream Liqueur

1/4 part Frangelico

Fresh Brewed Coffee

Whipped Cream Garnish

Place spirits in large heat proof mug. Top with fresh brewed coffee. Top with dollop of whipped cream if desired.

Enjoy this classic winter warmer at just 96 calories by following the recipe below.

Irish Coffee

1-1/2 ounce Jameson Irish Whiskey

Fresh Brewed Black Coffee

Splenda (to sweeten if you feel you need it)

Stir ingredients in a preheated mug and enjoy! Notation: Irish Coffee is a weekend staple in my home. After the first pot of coffee is gone, the second pot is for sipping with Jameson Irish Whiskey; no sugar needed.

Hard Rocker Cider – makes 6 servings

1 cup Cabo Wabo Reposado Tequila

4 cups Apple Cider

1 cup Cranberry Juice Cocktail

1/4 cup Triple Sec

1 teaspoon Nutmeg

Cinnamon Sticks, for garnish

Heat cider, stirring continually. Add cranberry juice cocktail and nutmeg. If using a crock pot, simmer on low just until hot for 2 hours. Do not boil. When ready to serve, turn on high for 10 minutes and stir in tequila and liqueur. Serve in heat proof mugs. Garnish with a cinnamon stick. For quick serve, this may be prepared in the microwave.

King’s Cider

1-1/2 ounce Crown Royal

2 ounce Heated Cider

1/4 ounce Honey

1/2 ounce Fresh Lemon Juice

Cinnamon Sprinkle Garnish

Place all liquid ingredients in heat proof mug. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Stir with cinnamon stick. Serve.

Cozy PAMA Cider

2 ounces PAMA

3 ounces Hot Mulled Apple Cider

Cinnamon

Super Fine Sugar

Orange Spiral

Heat white wine glass with hot water. Empty. Rim with Cinnamon and Super Fine Sugar. Add PAMA and Hot Mulled Apple Cider. Garnish with Orange Spiral.

Heated Affair

2 ounces Partida Anejo Tequila

6 ounces Hot Spiced Apple Cider

Heavy Cream

In a small warm wine glass add Tequila and hot apple cider. Float heavy cream. Garnish: Grate fresh Nutmeg over cream.

Apple Cider Preparation:In a pot add Organic Apple Juice. Add winter spices like cloves, cinnamon stick, all spice and orange peel. Start off by adding a few cloves, one cinnamon stick, etc… so as to find the right spiced apple cider flavor. You can always add more spice later. Bring everything to a low heat for about 15 minutes. Taste for flavor. When the desired flavor is reached then take off stove. Strain out all the spices and orange peel. Serve warm and enjoy!

Basil Hayden Spice

1-1/2 ounce Basil Hayden’s Bourbon

1-1/2 ounce Apple Juice

1-1/2 ounce Cranberry Juice

Steaming Hot Water

Pour all ingredients in a pre-heated* glass coffee mug. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.

*To pre-heat a glass or mug, simply fill with hot water and empty just prior to filling with ingredients.

Passion Tea

1-1/2 ounce Leblon Cachaça

1/2 ounce Cointreau

1/2 ounce Monin Red Passion Fruit Syrup

5 ounces Hot Black Tea

Brew the black tea. Pour Leblon into heat proof cup followed by Cointreau and Monin Red Passion Fruit Syrup. Top with hot tea. Stir thoroughly.

The recipe below serves chilled, but opens the door to the holiday season ahead. Cheers!

Maker’s Mark’s Holiday Eggnog

1 liter Maker’s Mark

1 quart milk

1 quart heavy cream

2 dozen eggs

1 1/2 cups sugar

Nutmeg for garnish

Separate eggs and beat yolks until creamy. Whip sugar into yolks. Beat whites until they stand in peaks, adding 1/2 cup additional sugar, if desired. Beat yolks and Maker’s Mark together, add whites. Beat cream. Add cream and milk to mixture. Add nutmeg to taste and garnish each cup with nutmeg. Makes 2 1/2 gallons.

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Tagged Agavero, Apple Juice, Bourbon, Cachaca, Canadian Whiskey, Castries Peanut Rum Creme, Cider, Coffee, Coffee Cream Liqueur, Coffee Liqueur, Cranberry Juice, Eggnog, Fresh Lemon, Hazelnut Liqueur, Heavy Cream, Honey, Irish Whiskey, Passion Fruit Syrup, Pomegranate Liqueur, Premium Orange Liqueur, Tea, Tequila, Tequila Liqueur, Triple Sec, Whipped Cream, Winter Warmer

Burgundy & Gold Cocktails Rally Washington Team Spirit

Posted on November 15, 2010 | 1 Comment

Washington, D.C., is home to seven professional sports teams which include men and women athletes who work and play hard. Though basketball, soccer, hockey and baseball rank high in the world of professional sports, there is nothing like the excitement of Monday Night Football to keep the chill of fall at bay when winter’s frost waits eagerly in the shadows. Tonight enjoy a few colorful burgundy and gold cocktails for spirited football fun while watching the Washington Redskins take on the Philadelphia Eagles.

Gold Rushing Shot – adaption by Cheri Loughlin

1 part Goldschlager

1 part Tequila

Chill spirits. Combine in shot glass.

Burgundy & Gold Margarita – created by Cheri Loughlin

2 ounces Reposado Tequila

3/4 ounce Premium Orange Liqueur

1/2 ounce Agave Syrup

1 ounce Lime Juice

1/4 ounce Blackberry Brandy

Lime Wedge Garnish

Salt

Rim chilled cocktail glass with salt if desired. Set aside. Place tequila, Cointreau, agave syrup and lime juice in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill thoroughly. Strain into prepared cocktail glass over fresh ice. Float blackberry brandy over top.