Holiday in a Glass: Fall to Thanksgiving Cocktails, Martinis & Drink Recipes

The whisper of winter’s arrival surrounds us with wisps of wind, sprinklings of snowflakes and the smoky aroma of toasted firewood rising from neighborhood chimneys.  Though fall has not officially passed us by, Thanksgiving gives way to the last rich tastes of the season and glorious opening to celebrations that continue ahead.  Embrace the season and all its sipping delights.

Autumn Wind

2 parts Gekkeikan Haiku Sake

1/2 part Gekkeikan Plum Wine

3/4 part Honey

2 parts Pomegranate Juice

1/2 part Fresh Lemon Juice

Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a highball glass filled with ice. Garnish with an orange twist and green apple slice.

Haiku Jasmine Green Tea Saketini

3 parts Gekkeikan Haiku

2 parts Jasmine Green Tea or regular green tea

Splash of sour mix

Garnish with lime or lemon

Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.  Shake to blend and chill.  Strain into a martini glass.  Garnish with lime or lemon wedge.

Baileys Cherry Cafe

2 ounces Baileys with a hint of Coffee

1/2 ounce Captain Morgan Rum

1 dash Maraschino cherry juice

Rim a martini glass with cinnamon and sugar. Then drizzle cherry juice in the glass to layer. Shake Baileys and Captain Morgan with ice, strain and enjoy.

Amor de Cosmos

1-1/2 ounce Canadian Club Whisky

1 Tablespoon Grenadine Syrup

1 ounce Cranberry Juice

Splash Ginger Ale

Splash Club Soda

Maraschino Cherry Garnish

Combine whisky, syrup and juice in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to chill. Strain into chilled cocktail glass. Add splash each of ginger ale and club soda. Garnish with maraschino cherry

Chocolate Banana Cream Pie

2 ounces Van Gogh Dutch Chocolate Vodka

1/2 ounce Crème de Banana

1/2 ounce Chocolate Liqueur

1 ounce Eggnog

Cinnamon Stick Garnish

Shaved Chocolate Garnish

Place all ingredients in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into rocks glass. Garnish with cinnamon stick and shaved chocolate.

Amaretto Crème Brulee

1-1/2 ounce Van Gogh Vanilla Vodka

1 ounce Licor 43

1/2 ounce Amaretto

1 splash Cream

Brown Sugar & Lemon Wedge Garnish

Rim lip of glass with lemon wedge and dip into brown sugar. Set aside to dry. Chill glass. Pour all liquid ingredients in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled martini glass.

Mon Cheri

2 ounces Blanche Armagnac Laubade

3/4 ounce Cherry Liqueur

1-1/4 ounce White Crème de Cacao

1/2 ounce Dark Crème de Cacao

Maraschino Cherry Garnish

Place Armagnac, cherry liqueur and white crème de cacao in cocktail shaker with ice. Stir to chill. Strain into cocktail glass. Carefully drizzle outer edges of cocktail with 1/2 ounce of dark crème de cacao. Drop maraschino cherry in center of cocktail for garnish.

Chocolate Espresso

1/4 ounce Vanilla Vodka

1/4 ounce Amaretto Almond Liqueur

1/4 ounce Godiva Chocolate Liqueur

1/4 ounce Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur

1/4 ounce Frangelico Hazelnut Liqueur

1/4 ounce Baileys Irish Cream

1/2 ounce Espresso

2 dashes Chocolate Syrup

Swirl chocolate syrup around inside of martini glass. Chill. Place remaining liquid ingredients in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled martini glass.

Drambuie Espresso Martini

1-1/2 ounce Drambuie

1 ounce Creme de Cacao

1 ounce Espresso

Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to chill. Strain into chilled cocktail glass.

All content ©2009 Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist. All Rights Reserved. Chat with Cheri @Intoxicologist on Twitter and facebook.com/Intoxicologist or str8upcocktails@gmail.com