Tag Archives: Velvet Falernum

Mai Tai Drink Mixes Up Sweet Heat

Posted on May 16, 2013 | Leave a comment

Mai Tai Me Up is a spiced up version of the classic Mai Tai – recipe and photo by Mixologist Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist

The classic Mai Tai drink recipe is commonly known to include Orgeat, almond syrup. I created this variation of the Mai Tai drink while reviewing Blackheart Spiced Rum. I found this particular rum worked well in tropical drink recipes and cocktails that leaned more toward warmer tones. That’s one of the reasons I chose to work with Falernum rather than Orgeat in this variation of the Mai Tai drink recipe. Blackheart Spiced Rum already contains a significant amount of vanilla with almond tones. It just made sense to incorporate more Tiki spice into the drink.

Mai Tai Me Up Drink Recipe

Mai Tai Me Up – recipe by Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist

2 ounces Blackheart Spiced Rum

1/2 ounce Triple Sec

3/4 ounce Velvet Falernum

3/4 ounce Fresh Lime Juice

Mint Leaf Garnish

Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend. Strain into highball glass over fresh ice. Garnish with mint leaf.

More Mai Tai Drink Recipes

Mai Tai Teenie is the low calorie version of the classic Mai Tai – photo and recipe by Mixologist Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist

Falernum is sometimes difficult to find locally, so make your own with the easy Homemade Falernum recipe found in the link.

Another Mai Tai variation can be found in the popular 21 Must Try Classic Cocktails post. By the way, if you think of a classic cocktail that should be added to that that post, please mention the cocktail recipe in the comments section. I would love to add your suggestions!

Figure friendly cocktails that are truly fresh tasting and flavorful are difficult to come by. Rest assured the Mai Tai Teenie will keep your taste buds happy with only 127 calories in the glass. This low calorie Mai Tai uses fresh pineapple and orange juice rather than orange liqueur for wonderful fresh flavor.

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Posted in Long Drinks

Tagged Blackheart Spiced Rum, Falernum, Fresh Lime, Mai Tai, Mai Tai Me Up, Mai Tai Teenie, Mint Leaves, Rum, Spiced Rum, Triple Sec, Velvet Falernum

Homemade Falernum

Posted on January 29, 2013 | Leave a comment

A good homemade falernum recipe is good to keep on hand. It’s sometimes difficult to find in stores, but is a necessary component in some Tiki style cocktails. It’s also growing in popularity in many other contempory mixed drink recipes such as sangrias and punches.

So, what is falernum? Falernum is simply delicious. It is a bit of spice, bit of sweet and ever so warming. There are almonds, cloves and sometimes ginger. The texture is smooth with lingering silky spice that mellows over the tongue. Falernum is a simple, yet beautiful flavor. It warms cool weather cocktails and brightens warm weather drinks. I think it’s simply divine. Every bar should stock this amazing bottled treat!

Try your hand at making Falernum at home with this easy homemade falernum recipe. Your taste buds will thank you!

Falernum

10 Medium Limes – peeled

10 Whole Cloves

5 Whole Raw Almonds

1 teaspoon Sugar

1 – 750ml Bottle White Rum

Peel limes, removing all white pith. Cut limes in half. Place cut and peeled limes in large glass container with lid. Add cloves, raw almonds, sugar and white rum. Save the rum bottle. Cover. Store in sunny window for approximately three days. Taste for desired flavor. When satisfied with flavor, double strain mixture into cleaned rum bottle. Store at room temperature or in the refrigerator if desired.

Try your homemade concoction in any of the Falernum cocktail recipes found on the site.

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Posted in Mixers & Garnishes

Tagged Almonds, Basics, Cloves, Falernum, Limes, Mixer, Rum, Sugar, Velvet Falernum

Spiced Guava Punch

Posted on December 15, 2012 | Comments Off

Holiday parties, open house events and spur of the moment informal gatherings call for quantity and quality cocktails for guests. Be prepared for the unexpected impromptu gathering by keeping a make ahead party punch chilled and ready to pour.

Spiced Guava Punch – created by Cheri Loughlin

1-750ml bottle Guava Rum

6 ounces Spiced Rum

12 ounces Lemon Juice

8 ounces Velvet Falernum

8 ounces Brown Sugar Syrup

3 ounces Orgeat (Almond Syrup)

15 ounces Water

Brut Champagne

Orange Twist Garnish

Place all ingredients except champagne in large container. Stir. Refrigerate several hours until ready to serve. Serve from punch bowl or pitcher in rocks glass over fresh ice. Top with champagne. Garnish with orange twist. Spiced Guava Punch can be topped with Club Soda rather than champagne. – This recipe will fit into 3 empty standard size 750ml bottles which takes up less space than most pitchers. Save empty liquor bottles. Strip off labeling. Use the bottle for an easy pour and serve option for your next gathering.

I used Cruzan Rum since it was already in my liquor cabinet. Use whichever brand you usually purchase or have on hand.

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Posted in Christmas Cocktails, Fall & Thanksgiving, Halloween Cocktails

Tagged Almond Syrup, Brown Sugar Syrup, Champagne, Club Soda, Fresh Lemon, Guava Rum, Holiday, Orgeat, Punch, Spiced Guava Punch, Spiced Rum, Velvet Falernum

Satin Sheet

Posted on May 2, 2012 | 1 Comment

Hump Day Happy Hour ~ Slip into something comfortable… What sip will you slip into?

Satin Sheet – adapted by Cheri Loughlin

2 measures Reposado Tequila

1 measure Fresh Lime Juice

1/2 measure Falernum

1/4 measure Simple Syrup

Lime Slice Garnish

Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend & chill. Strain into martini glass. Garnish with lime slice.

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 Fresh Lime, Satin Sheet, Simple Syrup, Tequila, Velvet Falernum

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.