Tag Archives: Vodka

Dark Sumatra Martini

Posted on October 2, 2012 | Leave a comment

This variation of the Espresso Martini contains deep, rich coffee flavor. Irish Whiskey enhances the roast flavor. Terrific aroma. Lovely foam across top of cocktail. Not too sweet, but could reduce syrup to 1/2 ounce if a bit less sweet is desired. Could also be served in highball glass over fresh ice for alternative serve. Great for winter / fall, Christmas, Thanksgiving happy hour or as dessert style cocktail.

Dark Sumatra Martini – created by Cheri Loughlin

1-1/2 ounce Silver Rum

1/2 ounce Irish Whiskey

1/2 ounce Dark Sumatra Syrup

2 ounces Double Strong Brewed Coffee

Espresso Beans Garnish

Brew coffee using double the amount of dark roast coffee beans / ground coffee. Place all liquid ingredients in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with coffee beans on top.

Dark Sumatra Syrup / Coffee Syrup – created by Cheri Loughlin

1 cup Demera Cane Sugar

1/2 cup Double Strong Fresh Brewed Coffee

1 ounce Vodka – optional

Brew coffee using double the amount of dark roast coffee beans / ground coffee. Place sugar and coffee in sauce pan over low heat. Stir continuously until sugar is completely dissolved and mixture has come to a soft simmer. Remove from heat. Add in optional ounce of vodka as preservative. Allow to cool. Place in sealed container. Keep refrigerated.

*I used Sumatra coffee. Brown sugar could be used in place of Demera Cane Sugar. Demera Cane Sugar contains hint of molasses which works very well in this syrup. Demera Cane Sugar can be found at many corner grocery stores on the sugar / baking aisle.

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Posted in Cocktails, Whiskey Cocktails

Tagged Coffee, Coffee Syrup, Dark Sumatra Martini, Demera Cane Sugar, Espresso, Espresso Martini, Irish Whiskey, Rum, Sugar, Sumatra Syrup, Vodka

After Five

Posted on September 27, 2012 | Leave a comment

As the saying goes, “It’s five o’clock somewhere.” The expression could be heard early morning, mid day, holiday or weekend, but the implication sets the tone for thirst quenching sip start up. Knowing someone somewhere in the world sits lingering over cocktails during happy hour is all the justification some desire to catch the wave of liquid bliss a little earlier in the day in their little corner of the world. What time will your happiest hour begin?

After Five Shot

1/3 measure Coffee Liqueur

1/3 measure Irish Cream

1/3 measure Peppermint Schnapps

Carefully layer chilled liquids in shot glass in order given.

After Six Shot

1/4 measure Coffee Liqueur

1/4 measure Irish Cream

1/4 measure Peppermint Schnapps

1/4 measure Vodka

Carefully layer first three chilled liquids in shooter glass in order given. Float vodka on top.

After Dinner Shot

1 /2 measure Brandy

1/2 measure Cherry Brandy

Dash Lemon Juice

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

After Eight Shot

1/3 measure Irish Cream

1/3 measure Coffee Liqueur

1/3 measure White Crème de Menthe

Carefully layer chilled liquids in shot glass in order given.

No matter what time the cocktail hour bell rings, please sip responsibly.

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Posted in Cocktails

Tagged After Dinner Shot, After Eight Shot, After Five Shot, After Six Shot, Brandy, Cherry Brandy, Coffee Liqueur, Creme de Menthe, Fresh Lemon, Irish Cream, Peppermint Schnapps, Vodka

Platinum 7X

Posted on September 14, 2012 | Leave a comment

For recipes and additional product information, visit http://www.platinum7x.com. You can also follow Platinum 7X through its online community, which can be found at @Platinum7X on Twitter and http://www.facebook.com/Platinum7Xon Facebook.

Dubonnet Rouge: Classic & Contemporary

Posted on September 7, 2012 | Leave a comment

Dubonnet Rouge blends herbs, spices and fruit peels together with medicinal quinine and fortified wine. Although it was originally purposed to ward off disease by making the ingestion of quinine more pleasant just as other spirits of the past, Dubonnet Rouge’s use in cocktails has gone far beyond “medicinal use” and into the realm of modern mixology.

Just in time for Bourbon Heritage Month; The Dubonnet Mint Julep is an aperitif version of the classic bourbon Mint Julep. Each of the fresh herb additions pair wonderfully with the aromatics of Dubonnet Rouge. Get inspired to recreate a classic by sampling this classic variation.

Dubonnet Mint Julep – created by D. McKnight

2 ounces Dubonnet Rouge

3 ounces Bourbon

1 teaspoon sugar

Handful of mint

Place mint and sugar in mixing glass. Muddle briefly. Add remaining ingredients with ice. Shake or stir to mix completely. Strain into julep cup over fresh crushed ice.

There are much more traditional style recipes such as the Dubonnet Cocktail; 1 measure Dubonnet Rouge, 1 measure Gin, Dash of Orange Bitters & Lemon Twist Garnish. Served Up. But there is still room for more creative offerings within the mixology field.

Summer Thyme, courtesy of Michael Green, plucks fresh thyme from the garden for an inspiring cocktail utilizing the unique flavor of Dubonnet Rouge.

Summer Thyme – created by Michael Green

1 ounce Dubonnet Rouge

2 ounces Vodka

1 sprig Fresh Thyme

Squeeze of Lemon Juice

Salt and Pepper to taste

Lemon Slice & Fresh Thyme Sprig Garnish

Place all ingredients except garnish into cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill, allowing the aromatics of the fresh thyme to permeate the drink. Strain into rocks glass over fresh crushed ice. Garnish with lemon slice and sprig of thyme.

Dubonnet Rouge is a stylish and affordable aperitif as it stands among much higher priced liqueurs and aperitifs on the liquor store shelf.

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Posted in Cocktails, Whiskey Cocktails

Tagged Bourbon, Bourbon Heritage Month, Dubonnet, Dubonnet Mint Julep, Fresh Lemon, Mint, Mint Julep, Sugar, Summer Cocktails, Summer Thyme, Thyme, Vodka

7 Two Ingredient Cocktails for Labor Day

Posted on August 31, 2012 | Leave a comment

Labor Day celebrates the hard working American laborer and is often observed as a day (or weekend) set aside for end of summer parties and celebrations. We could opt for high end, call out all the stops, seventeen ingredient cocktails to “Wow” and impress friends and guests, but why? There are many refreshingly satisfying two ingredient cocktails waiting in the wings. No muss, no fuss.

More Labor Day & two ingredient cocktails to enjoy.

The Highball is a basic recipe for many base spirits. The ratio of base spirit to choice of mixer evens out nicely giving you and guest options depending upon taste preference. A table or bar with selection of base spirits, variety of easy mixers and perhaps a few optional lemon, lime or orange slices allows your guests to prepare their own drinks, keeping your day labor free. Pick your poison…

Highball

2 ounces Base Spirit of Choice

3 ounces Mixer of Choice

Place base spirit (Whiskey, Vodka, Rum, etc…) in highball glass over fresh ice. Top with mixer (club soda, tonic, juice, etc…).

Cocktails in a beer crowd? No problem. These three two ingredient recipes offer alternatives for the combined beer and cocktail crowd.

Depth Charge

2 ounces Schnapps

1 pint Beer

Place schnapps flavor of your choice into chilled beer mug. Top with beer.

Shandy

7-UP

Beer

Place chilled 7-UP to the halfway point in a highball glass; no ice. Top with chilled beer.

Shandy Gaff

Ginger Ale

Beer

Place chilled ginger ale to the halfway point in a highball glass; no ice. Top with chilled beer.

Keeping it slow, comfortable and relaxed…

Comfortable Screw

1-1/2 ounce Southern Comfort

3-1/2 ounces Orange Juice

Orange Slice Garnish

Combine liquids in highball glass over fresh ice. Garnish with lime wedge.

Sloe Screw

2 ounces Sloe Gin

3 ounces Orange Juice

Place Sloe Gin in highball glass over fresh ice. Top with orange juice. Stir.

Since whiskey is king…

Kentucky Colonel Cocktail

3 ounces Bourbon

1 ounce Benedictine

Lemon Twist

Combine liquids in mixing glass with ice. Stir to chill. Strain into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with lemon twist.

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Posted in Labor Day

Tagged 2 Ingredient Drinks, Beer, Benedictine, Bourbon, Comfortable Screw, Depth Charge, Gin, Ginger Ale, Highball, Kentucky Colonel Cocktail, Labor Day, Lemon Lime Soda, Orange Juice, Rum, Schnapps, Shandy, Shandy Gaff, Sloe Gin, Sloe Screw, Southern Comfort, Tequila, Two Ingredient Cocktails, Vodka

Review: Absolut SF Limited Edition

Posted on August 17, 2012 | Leave a comment

Vodka with grape, dragon fruit and papaya flavors

80 Proof / 40% alcohol

Suggested Retail Price: Within the $20 to $25 range / 750ml bottle

Availability: Released in May 2011 with limited edition status.

Absolute SF Vodka Tasting Notes

Color: Clear

Aroma: No burn on the nose. Light citrus. Bit of grape (succulent rather than tartly sweet). Reminds of tart citrus wine. Peaches. Faintest hint of perfumed sweetness, most likely from the papaya inclusion.

Tasted Neat: Compared with the aroma, there is barely any sweetness carrying through in the taste. Grape definitely comes through first, but muted rather than like a grape flavored vodka. Bit of burn. Metallic. Hint of bitterness. Bit of floral. Hints of apple come to the forefront once the spirit is chilled with ice. Flavor is nice, subtle.

Mouth Feel: Thin

Comparable Spirit: None come to mind off the top of my head. Keep in mind the Cities Editions are often unique with flavors, history and thoughts of the specific city they are designed with in mind.

Possible Uses, Pairings and / or Cocktails:

Might try with ginger ale for a bit of crispness. Simple syrup with splash of club soda or bubbly. Peach schnapps and cranberry. Possibly tonic or splash of lemon lime soda as topper would also be refreshing.

Absolut Wild Parrot

1-1/2 ounce Absolut SF Vodka

1/2 ounce Lychee Liqueur

1/2 ounce Fresh Lime Juice

1/4 ounce Simple Syrup

2 ounces Cranberry Juice

Club Soda

Mint Leaves & Lime Slice Garnish

Combine liquids except club soda in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend. Strain into highball glass over fresh ice. Garnish with mint sprig and lime slice.

Review sample courtesy representatives of Pernod-Ricard

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Posted in Reviews

Tagged Absolut Cities Edition, Absolut SF Vodka, Absolut Vodka, Absolut Wild Parrot, Club Soda, Cranberry Juice, Fresh Lime, Lychee Liqueur, Mint Leaves, Simple Syrup, Vodka

Review: ULuvka Vodka

Posted on August 14, 2012 | Leave a comment

Made with Polish Rye, Wheat and Barley

80Proof / 40% alcohol

Suggested Retail Price: $45 to $65 range / 750ml bottle

Availability: New York and in the UK. Can also be found online at DrinkUpNY.

ULuvka Vodka Tasting Notes

Color: Clear

Aroma: Shale or limestone. No burn on the nose.

Tasted Neat: Roundness. Burn. Limestone. Faintly sweet notes. Vanilla. Mineral notes.

Mouth Feel: Medium viscosity with medium fullness in the mouth.

Comparable Spirit: Take your pick of high end premium vodka within your price comfort zone. The most intriguing quality about this vodka is its bottle. It might spark interest or make a great eye catching conversation starter. I like vodka, but wouldn’t go out of my way to seek out this particular brand over a few others that I find equally satisfying. I would place ULuvka by quality within the range of Chopin, Belvedere or Grey Goose among many others.

Possible Uses, Pairings and / or Cocktails:

There is definite flavor in the profile in the same way Reyka Vodka contains notes of natural mineral. This leads me to choose something like the 801 Martini for martini style consumption. Could also be enjoyed on the rocks with simple lime twist.

801 Martini: 1 part Gin, 1 part Vodka. Chilled over ice. Strained into martini glass. Garnish with gorgonzola stuffed olives

Review sample provided by representatives of ULuvka Vodka

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Posted in Reviews

Tagged DrinkUpNY, Reyka Vodka, ULuvka Vodka, Vodka

Bellini-Tini

Posted on July 20, 2012 | Leave a comment

The classic Bellini cocktail is most closely associated with Sunday Brunch, but Happy Hour deserves its full share of weekend flavor. Bellini-Tini offers a taste of weekend relaxation in a full service cocktail glass.

Bellini-Tini

2 ounces Vodka

1/4 to 1/2 ounce Peach Schnapps

1/4 ounce Raspberry Liqueur

1/2 ounce White Peach Puree

Peach Slice Garnish

Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled cocktail glass. Float raspberry liqueur on top. Garnish with peach slice.

Recipe provided by representatives of Finlandia Vodka.

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Posted in Cocktails

Tagged Bellini-Tini, Brunch, Finlandia Vodka, Peach Schnapps, Peaches, Raspberry Liqueur, Vodka, White Peach Puree

Homemade Grenadine

Posted on July 12, 2012 | 2 Comments

Many recipes call for a splash, dash or float of grenadine. Purchased grenadine is easy to come by, but doesn’t quite carry the same fresh flavor feel of homemade grenadine. Making this little bar staple is a breeze with just a few simple ingredients.

Find a few recipes of interest containing Grenadine by following the highlighted link. Play with a few more easy bar staple recipes in the Bar Basics section.

Homemade Grenadine – Cheri Loughlin variation

2 cups Pomegranate Juice

1 cup Sugar

1 ounce Vodka

Place pomegranate juice and sugar in saucepan over low heat. Heat until sugar is completely dissolved and mixture just begins to simmer. Remove from heat. Add vodka for preservative purposes if desired. Allow mixture to cool completely. Place in container with lid. Refrigerate.

Fresh pomegranate juice may be substituted for good quality bottled pomegranate juice. Get even more creative with grenadine by adding spices such as cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, etc.

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Posted in Mixers & Garnishes

Tagged Basics, Grenadine, Grenadine Syrup, Mixer, Pomegranate Juice, Simple Syrup, Sugar, Vodka

Happy Hour Is Like a Box of Chocolate Cocktails

Posted on July 6, 2012 | Leave a comment

When the movie Forrest Gump comes to mind one line rings a bell; “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” The same holds true with most cocktail listings at restaurants and bars. Descriptions can be vague or over the top flowery. The first drink poured might taste phenomenal, but the second could be vastly different depending upon the bartender mixing the drink, free pour versus measuring and whether an exact recipe is actually followed.

Interesting to note: Forrest Gump opened in theaters today, July 6, 1994. Tom Hanks starred, winning his second Oscar. The movie received thirteen Academy Award nominations and took home six Oscars. Find more about Forrest Gump at History.com.

The book series, Food & Wine Cocktails, published yearly opens the proverbial cocktail menu box of chocolates so to speak. This handy little book offers amazing cocktail drinks from bars and restaurants across the nation with little tidbits of trivia about each recipe or venue. While the recipes below only feature chocolate cocktails, Food & Wine Cocktails bring all manner of drink recipes to the bar including classic cocktails, seasonal drinks, non-alcoholic mocktails, frozen drinks and even party food recipes.

Babylon Sister

Absinthe Brasserie & Bar, San Francisco

1 ounce Kirsch (Cherry Eau-de-Vie)

1/2 ounce Maraschino Liqueur

1/4 ounce White Crème de Cacao

1/2 ounce Heavy Cream

1/4 ounce Simple Syrup

3 Skewered Brandied Cherries

Lemon Wedge & Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

Moisten half of outer rim of martini glass with lemon wedge. Dip martini rim in unsweetened cocoa powder. Set aside. Place all liquid ingredients in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to chill and blend thoroughly. Strain into prepared martini glass. Garnish with skewered brandied cherries. Notation: Cocktail trivia for this particular recipe note that this cocktail name and ingredients were inspired by the Steely Dan tune “Babylon Sisters” which include the line “drink kirschwasser from a shell.”

Mayan Mocha Martini

West End Tavern, Boulder, CO

1-1/2 ounces Blanco Tequila

1/2 ounce Coffee Liqueur

1/2 ounce Dark Crème de Cacao

3/4 ounce Half & Half

Pinch Ground Cinnamon & Cayenne Pepper

Place liquid ingredients in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well to blend and chill completely. Strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with pinch of each spice; cinnamon and cayenne pepper.

Butter Pecan

Poole’s Diner, Raleigh

1 cup Butter Pecan Ice Cream

1 ounce Bourbon

1/2 ounce Chocolate Syrup

1-1/2 teaspoons Milk

Pinch Malt Powder – optional

3 Candied Pecans – optional garnish

Place all ingredients except pecans in a blender. Blend well. Once thoroughly combined, pour into chilled highball glass. Garnish with candied pecans

Evil Twin Martini

The Oakroom, Louisville

1/2 ounce Vodka

1/2 ounce White Chocolate Liqueur

1/2 ounce Dark Chocolate Liqueur

1/2 ounce Raspberry Liqueur

Raspberry Garnish

Place liquid ingredients in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with fresh raspberry.

Pisco Alexander

La Duni Latin Café, Dallas

2 ounces Pisco

1/4 ounce Dark Crème de Cacao

1 ounce Sweetened Condensed Milk

1 ounce Evaporated Milk

1 ounce Heavy Cream

Cinnamon Stick Garnish

Place liquid ingredients in blender on pulse for thirty seconds. Transfer liquid to cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well to completely chill. Strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with cinnamon stick.

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Posted in Cocktails

Tagged Babylon Sister, Bourbon, Butter Pecan, Chocolate Liqueur, Coffee Liqueur, Creme de Cacao, Evil Twin Martini, Ice Cream, Kirsch, Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur, Mayan Mocha Martini, Pisco, Pisco Alexander, Raspberry Liqueur, Tequila, Vodka

Tag Archives: Vodka

Dark Sumatra Martini

After Five

Platinum 7X

Dubonnet Rouge: Classic & Contemporary

7 Two Ingredient Cocktails for Labor Day

Review: Absolut SF Limited Edition

Review: ULuvka Vodka

Bellini-Tini

Homemade Grenadine

Happy Hour Is Like a Box of Chocolate Cocktails

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