Enjoy A Christmas Cocktail This Year

Christmas is such a special occassion that I think it deserves a special drink which is why I think Christmas Cocktails are fantastic! You can have non-alcholic Christmas cocktails as well if you can't or don't want to drink. Cocktails are supposed to be a feast for the eyes as well as the taste buds and as December is racing on it's time to make sure you have your Christmas stemware all ready to go.

There's something really special about serving even something as simple as water or orange juice in a Christmas themed glass. If for some reason you run out of time to get any Christmas glasses this year then pop out and get a supply of Christmas candy canes - these are fantastic to hang off of plain glasses to give a festive feel to your Christmas drinks.

Now there are lots of different Christmas cocktails to chose from, but if you can't think of any and someone pops in just mix a cocktail that you do know and give it a festive name.....if you don't tell no one will have to know! A Bloody Mary could become Santa's Cheer and a Japanese Slipper could become a Naked Christmas Treetini!

One very potent cocktail that tastes divine I'm calling a Merry Christmastini.

Merry Christmastini

1 oz tequila
1 oz vodka
1 oz rum
1 oz brandy
1 oz kahlua
1 sliced banana
single cream

Throw all of the ingredients (except the cream) into a blender along with half a cup of crushed ice and blend. Add cream to taste - I like it really creamy, but it's a personal choice. Once you've added the cream blitz it again, just to make sure the cream's well blended. Serve over ice in a highball glass.

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Christmas Cocktails

"Tis the season to be jolly tra la la la..."

Christmas time is a great time to get together with friends and family. Christmas is a time of over-indulging whether with food, drink or presents.

What better time is there to have a cocktail? Christmas cocktails are a wonderful thing to enjoy.

You can try Christmas themed cocktails or mix Christmas classics such as Egg Nog.  You can even put your own twist on the classic Egg Nog by adding berries for example.

If you want to be the Christmas host with the most then try customizing the cocktails. If your mum loves Turkish Delight then mix her a Turkish Delight Martini, if dad loves his Zabaglione then try a Zabaglione Martini.

I've compiled a great selection of festive cocktails which should see you enjoy the holiday season in festive cheer.

Egg Nog

A Classic Christmas Cocktail

Egg Nog

You simply cannot have Christmas without Egg Nog. Egg Nog has it's origins in Medieval England and yet it's America that has embraced a tradition of Egg Nog at Christmas.

You can buy Egg Nog in a carton, but why not make your own this Christmas?

Egg Nog

750ml Brandy
1 1/2 quarts milk
1 pint whipped heavy cream
1 cup bar sugar
dozen eggs
freshly grated nutmeg

Seperate the eggs and beat the yolks with the sugar in a large punch bowl. Put the egg whites to one side. Stir the milk and whipped cream into the punch bowl. Add the brandy and refrigerate for at least an hour. Before serving, whip the egg whites stiff and fold into the egg nog. Sprinkle with freshly grated nutmeg.

This recipe will fill your punch bowl and should serve about 25 people so is ideal for a party.

Christmas Pudding Inspired Cocktails

...and Cocktails Inspired By Other Christmas Desserts

Who doesn't love Chrissy pud? it's a wonderful tradition in our house. Another tradition is to have trifle on Boxing Day.

In New Zealand and Australia Christmas means pavlova whereas a friend of mine always has ginger snaps.

Let's look at cocktails that evoke our Christmas memories.

Christmas Pudding

1 oz Drambuie
5 oz Guiness
1 oz Southern Comfort

Mix all of the ingredients together and serve in a red wine glass.

Trifle Martini

2 1/2 shots blackcurrant vodka
2 shots Drambuie
1/2 shot chambord

Shake all of the ingredients together with ice in a cocktail shaker. Strain into a cocktail glass to serve.

Pavlova Cocktail

90ml passionfruit vodka
30ml creme de framboise
30ml alize gold
30ml egg white, whipped

Combine alcohol with ice in a cocktail shaker and shake well. Strain into a cocktail glass and top with the whipped egg white. Serve with a meringue kiss as a garnish.

Ginger Snap

2oz advocaat
3oz ginger ale

Mix these two ingredients together in a mixing glass with ice cubes. Strain into a highball glass filled with ice to serve.

Christmas Nativity Inspired Cocktails

The Nativity always has angels, shepherds, Mary, Joseph, the baby Jesus and a donkey. There are also the Magi, the Three Wise Men.

The Three Wise Men is also the name of a shooter based around the "wise men" known to their friends as Jack, Jim and Johnnie.

Three Wise Men

1 part Jack Daniels
1 part Jim Beam
1 part Johnnie Walker

Mix the ingredients together and serve in a shot glass.

Christmas Decor Inspired Cocktails!

Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without Christmas Trees to decorate and leave gifts under. Then there are Christmas Stockings, although when I was younger we just used pillowcases!

Christmas Tree Shot

1 part vodka
1 part green creme de menthe
1 part cherry brandy

Pour the spirits carefully into a shot glass in the order above.

How did the gifts get under the tree or in our stockings to begin with? Why Santa brought them of course. Now we all know that Santa doesn't drink and drive, he prefers us to leave him milk to drink.

When he has finished work however Mrs Claus mixes him up a cocktail that she calls Santa's Sack because he only drinks it once he's emptied his sack.

Santa's Sack

1 oz Baileys
1/2 oz cognac
1/4 oz white creme de cacao
dollops of whipped cream
splash of Goldschlagger

Put the Baileys, cognac and creme de cacao into a cocktial shaker with ice and shake well. Strain into a cocktail glass and add a few dollops of whipped cream. Splash some Goldschlagger on the top and enjoy.

Christmas Martini

A Very Festive Holiday Martini

If a drink is called a Christmas Martini then as you can imagine it's a great drink for Martini lovers over the festive season. Combining the flavor of a gin martini with peppermint I find the flavor very unusual.

Christmas Martini

3 shots gin
1/2 shot dry vermouth
1/4 shot peppermint schnapps
mini candy cane

Shake all of the liquid ingredients in a cocktial shaker with ice. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with a mini candy cane for that festive feel.

Christmas Candy Cane Cocktails

Candy Canes have become a traditional part of Christmas in the US and other countries around the world. The tradition is believed to have actually started in Germany.

It is said that a choirmaster in Cologne, Germany took straight, white candy sticks and bent them to represent a shepherd's crook. He then handed them out to the children in his "flock."

In 1870s Indiana it is thought that a minister changed the shape slightly to more of a J to represent Jesus. The same person (who is un-named) is credited to adding the red stripes. Legend has it that the white represents purity and the red represents Jesus' blood.

Candy Cane Martini

1 1/2 oz vanilla vodka
1/2 oz peppermint schnapps
1 oz club soda
crushed candy canes

Rim a cocktail glass with crushed candy canes. Pour all of the liquids into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake well. Strain into the prepared cocktail glass to serve.

White Christmas Inspired Cocktails

Since living "down under" I have to say that Christmas just doesn't feel the same. The idea of a white Christmas is perpetuated in the movies and in the songs. Bing Crosby's iconic "White Christmas," and the video of Wham!'s "Last Christmas."

So to celebrate I have to turn to the cocktails!!

White Christmas

1 part creme de bananes
1 part white creme de cacao
1 part whiskey
1 part double cream

Put all of the ingredients into a cocktail shaker and shake. Strain into a cocktail glass and sprinkle grated chocolate on top.

Snowballs

1 part vodka
1 part advocaat
1 part cream
lemonade

Place vodka, advocaat & cream into a cocktail shaker, shake well and pour into a highball glass. Top up with lemonade slowly (the cream and lemonade cause the drink to froth)and gently stir.

Hot Chocolate Cocktails

Keep Warm At Christmas Time!

There's nothing better than curling up with a mug of hot chocolate in the middle of winter, or is there? These hot chocolate cocktails will make a fantastic addition to your Christmas Cocktail party.

Hot Chocolate Cocktails
There's nothing better in winter than to sit around a fire with a lovely mug of hot chocolate.....unless you count hot chocolate with extras! Yes, adult...

So "have yourself a very Merry Christmas....." and try a few of these delicious cocktails this holiday season.

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Halloween Cocktails

It's nearly that time again, so start thinking about what cocktails you want to serve at Halloween. There are plenty of Halloween cocktails to choose from, but you don't have to create these......I went to a caberet on the Gold Coast earlier this year at a place called Draculas and they had some really spooky sounding drinks. When I looked at what was in the drinks I realised that they were 'regular' cocktails that had been given dracula-style names.

If you don't want to learn new recipes just stick with the cocktails you like and serve them up with some creepy drinks decor or in some of this fantastic Halloween glasses and everyone will be impressed.

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Cocktail Infusions

Infusing your own spirits can really add a little extra to your cocktails and it’s actually really easy to do, but sometimes it can be a bit of a drag because it takes time for the flavors to infuse so why not use a prepared infusion?

A company called Tea Forte have introduced a collection of infusions that are designed to be steeped in alcohol. You can steep these infusions in vodka, gin, rum or tequila for different twists on the flavors. Lavender Citrus, Lemongrass Mint and Silkroad Chai are the three flavors that are available at the moment. Both the Lemongrass Mint and Silkroad Chai are great for the current trend of Asian Inspired cocktails that are available. Steep the Silkroad Chai in vodka and give a White Russian a new Asian Twist or steep the Lemongrass Mint in tequila and give a Margarita a Thai twist. The cocktails you could make are only limited by your imagination.



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Asian Inspired Cocktails

A Taste of Asia in a Cocktail

Well I’ve been looking at how cocktails have evolved over the years. Originally they were just alcohol combinations – think of the classic martini and the manhattan. Then as flavored vodkas evolved you saw a wider range of cocktails emerging and now the trend is to take flavors from the kitchen and combine them into cocktails. This has seen a rise in the number of different exotic cocktails on the market including very unique Asian inspired cocktails.

Twenty years ago we were all intrigued with Italian cooking, before that French, but in this millennium we seem to be entranced with Asian flavors more than ever.

Our kitchens contain ingredients such as lemongrass, lime juice, cardamom, coconut milk, yogurt and fish sauce so why not incorporate some of these flavors into cocktails?

For a truly East meets West experience these Asian inspired cocktails really hit the spot. Taking flavors from different Asian countries such as Japan or Vietnam and bringing them to a cocktail glass is fun and exciting. If you serve any of these Asian inspired cocktails to your friends and family then you can be sure they'll be talking about them for a long time to come.

So get your cocktail glasses out of the cupboard and prepare to board the mixologist's adventure into Asia!

Vietnamese Inspired Cocktails

Asian Inspired Cocktails

Starting off in Vietnam we embrace the flavors of Vietnam with this cocktail called A Fishy Surprise. Why such a name? Well it incorporates fish sauce which is something I would never have thought of adding to a cocktail if I hadn't come across this recipe. It also incorporates lemongrass and pomelo juice for more Vietnamese flavor.

Pomelo juice is used a lot in Vietnamese kitchen and comes from the pomelo fruit - no surprise there! The pomelo is a cousin to the grapefruit, but isn't as tart - more like a pink grapefruit than the white one.

A Fishy Surprise

45 ml whisky
30 ml drambuie
30 ml lemongrass juice
45 ml pomelo juice
½ tsp fish sauce
Worcestershire sauce.

Pour the whisky, drambuie, lemongrass and pomelo juice into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake until all of the ingredients are chilled. Add the fish sauce and a drop of Worcestershire sauce then strain into a cocktail glass to serve.

More Vietnamese Inspired Cocktails

• Vietnamese Inspired Cocktails
  Cocktails that invoke the flavors of Vietnam are certainly interesting considering that when you think of Vietnamese flavors you think of pomelo juice, lemongrass and fish sauce. Can you make a cocktail with these ingredients? The answer is yes!

Cocktail Shaker - A Tool of the Cocktail Trade

Trudeau Fusion Recipe 20-Ounce Cocktail Shaker, Green
A very stylish cocktail shaker is needed when you're making up your Asian inspired cocktails and this shaker is definitely stylish.

The fresh green color looks superb with the stainless steel and the comfortable grip makes it very practical as well as gorgeous!

You can't make cocktails without the tools of the trade and I think if they can look good too then why not!

Chinese Inspired Cocktails

More Asian Inspired Cocktails

Now flying off to China one of the more popular ingredients that they use is sesame seeds and now there is a sesame cocktail to try - Sesame Delight. This cocktail is absolutely delicious with a real sesame flavor.

Sesame Delight

1 ½ oz light rum
½ oz lime juice
1 tsp tahini
2 tsp honey

Stir together the tahina, honey and lime juice in a cocktail shaker before adding rum and ice and shaking. Pour into a cocktail glass to serve - yum!

Of course you can't think of Chinese cocktails without asking for a Lychee Martini, it would just be plain rude not to offer a recipe for one as they are a very trendy drink in some circles these days.

Lychee Martini

1 oz lychee liquour
1 oz vodka
1/3 oz cherry liquour
½ oz pineapple juice

Pour all of the ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake well. Strain into a martini glass to serve. A nice touch is to pop a lychee into the glass before you pour the liquid over it.

More Chinese Inspired Cocktails

A much wider selection of Chinese inspired cocktails can be found on this webpage including yet another version of the popular Lychee Martini.

• Chinese Inspired Cocktails
  There is a trend towards cocktails that use Asian flavors instead of just straight alcohol concoctions. This trend has seen a rise in Japanese Inspired Cocktails, Vietnamese Inspired Cocktails and also Chinese Inspired Cocktails.......

Thai Inspired Cocktails

Unique Asian Inspired Cocktails

There are a number of Thai inspired cocktails, but I've chosen to feature the aptly named Thai Martini which combines the flavors of lemongrass, ginger and lime. This recipe will make four martini's so don't think you have to drink it all yourself!!

Thai Martini

10 ounces of (preferably Kaffir) Lime vodka
4 ounces of chilled lemon grass tea
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 small chunk of fresh ginger, peeled
4 sprigs of fresh lemon grass
4 thinly sliced, small pieces of fresh ginger

The first step is to pour the lime vodka, lemongrass tea and lime juice into a cocktail shaker with ice, shake for about a minute and then let it stand for another minute to allow the flavors to seep together.

Take the piece of ginger and rub it around the bowls of your four martini glasses and then strain the martini into the glasses. Use the sprigs of lemongrass and the thinly sliced pieces of ginger as garnish.

Serve Your Asian Cocktails in Style

Orrefors Intermezzo Blue Martini Glass
Part of the reason I love cocktails is because they're something special, I love how some of them look, heck I'll be honest I even like the little umbrellas on the holiday inspired cocktails like the Blue Hawaiian.

Other cocktails like the martini just have an air of sophistication that a vodka and orange just doesn't really have!

You can bring a touch of elegance to these unique Asian inspired cocktails with these beautiful Erika Lagerbielke designed martini glasses.

Japanese Inspired Cocktails

Cool & Unique Cocktails

Now let's wing our way to the land of the rising sun in search of a Japanese inspired cocktail. Most Japanese inspired cocktails used to involve Sake, but another liquour is being used more and more and it's called Shochu. Shochu is a Japanese liquour made from distilled barley, sweet potatoes or rice. It has quite an earthy taste and can be used in a range of Japanese inspired cocktails including the Shocutini which also has the ever popular Sake in it's ingredients.

Shocutini

3 ounces shochu
2 ounces sake
1-1/2 ounces vodka
Juice of 2 lime wedges (about 1 ounce)
1/2 ounce simple syrup

This is a really quick and easy cocktail because you simply put all of the ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice, shake and then strain into a cocktail glass to serve.

More Japanese Inspired Cocktails

Now that I've whetted your appetite for Japanese cocktails you may wish to check this site out for sake and shochu based Japanese cocktails and more ...

• Japanese Inspired Cocktails Japanese inspired cocktails are experiencing a surge in popularity, rather than just drinking sake with their sushi people are looking for a little more soph...

Singapore Cocktails

Some More Asian Inspired Cocktails

Popping onto the plane once again we visit the melting pot of Asia - Singapore. Of course there's only one cocktail that you MUST drink in Singapore and that's the Singapore Sling! One day I will go to Raffles Hotel and drink the Singapore Sling there :)

Singapore Sling

30ml Gin,
15ml Cherry Brandy
120ml Pineapple Juice
15ml Lime Juice
7.5ml Cointreau
7.5ml Dom Benedictine
10ml Grenadine
A dash of Angostura Bitters
Garnish with a slice of Pineapple & a Cherry.

Combine all the ingredients with ice in a shaker and shake until well blended, then strain into a highball glass, garnishing with a slice of Pineapple and a Cherry.

Indian Inspired Cocktails

Asian Spice Cocktails

Now we fly over to the Indian sub-continent to try some Indian inspired cocktails and the one I've chosen is based around the spice cardamom which I think is quite an unusual ingredient for a cocktail (although not as unusual as the fish sauce!) and to that is added orange marmalade which I think can be representative of the British rule of the last century. The cocktail is called the Bitter Orange and Cardamon Martini, this recipe makes 6 martinis so it's ideal for a dinner party. Unlike most cocktails, this one can be made ahead of time and kept in the fridge.

Bitter Orange and Cardamon Martini

12 cardamon pods
6 tbsp orange marmalade
400 ml vodka
125 ml cointreau
4 tbsp lemon juice
Place 6 of the cardamom pods into a pestle and mortar and bash them until they split

Melt the marmalade in a pot and then whisk in the vodka.

Add the split cardamom pods to the pot for a few minutes so that the flavors can infuse, do not allow to boil just warm through the mix.

Leave off of the heat for 20 minutes so that the flavors can continue to mingle together.

Add the cointreau and lemon juice to the mixture and chill.

To serve place a little marmalade in the bottom of a martini glass, add ice and then the martini and float a cardamom pod on the top.

Which Asian Inspired Cocktail Do You Fancy?

I think I’ll have a Sesame Delight, but what would you like me to mix for you?

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Parfait Amour

Parfait Amour is a beautiful colored liqueur - it's a lovely shade of purple! I saw some in our liquor store just yesterday and thought I really must get some.....I didn't but paydays only 2 weeks away!!

What can you make with parfait amour? Well I have recipes for two shooters one is called Perfect Love and really plays on the purple color and the other is called Capucine and is mixed with blue curacao producing a beautiful deep blue color.

Perfect Love

1 measure vodka
1/2 measure parfait amour
1/2 measure maraschino
scoop crushed ice

Shake the liquid ingredients together in a shaker with ice and then pour over crushed ice that it is a shot glass.

Capucine

1 measure blue curacao
1 measure parfait amour
crushed ice

Pack a shot glass with crushed ice and pour the curacao in to the glass. Carefully top the drink up with the parfait amour.

Enjoy :)

Want more cocktail recipes? Drop in to Lou's Cocktail Lounge.

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St Patrick’s Day Cocktails

Well St Patrick’s Day is just around the corner and it’s time to think about how you’re going to celebrate and most importantly what are you going to be drinking?

Now some people just think that St Patrick’s Day means Guinness, but we know that it is a great opportunity to drink a range of different St Patrick’s Day Cocktails or St Patrick’s Day Shots.

A new cocktail (to me anyway) that I was told about recently was The Ugly Leprechaun. Now I haven’t tried this yet, but the recipe came into my inbox and I thought I would share it with you.

1.5 oz Vodka
0.5 oz Irish Whiskey
0.5 oz Melon Liqueur
0.25 oz fresh lime juice
0.5 oz simple syrup
2 oz Kiwi puree

Now to make this ‘interesting’ sounding cocktail you simply place all of the ingredients into a shaker with ice, shake well and then strain into a cocktail glass. This cocktail certainly sounds great – I’ll let you know after I’ve sampled it.

If the Ugly Leprechaun doesn't sound like your type of cocktail then let's have a look at a few more.


One Ireland

With a name like One Ireland this cocktail has to be at the top of the list. It uses creme de menthe to add the green element and Irish Whiskey for the Celtic twist.
One Ireland
4 parts Irish whiskey
1 part green creme de menthe
small scoop vanilla ice cream
Put all of the ingredients into a blender, blend until smooth then serve in a Martini glass.


Baby Guinness

I love drinking Baileys any day of the year, but it seems almost compulsory to drink it on St Patrick's Day. Baileys combines the cream from Irish cows fed on the luscious green, green grass of Eire and Irish whiskey - what better tribute to Ireland is there?
A delicious Baileys shot is the Baby Guinness, made with Baileys Irish Cream and named after another Irish icon, this has got to be on your list of St Patrick's Day cocktails.
Baby Guinness
¾ shot Kahlua
¼ shot Baileys
Fill a shot glass ¾ way full with Kahlua and then gently layer the Baileys on top.
and here's one I prepared earlier!


Black Velvet

It is compulsory in our house for my husband to have a pint of Guinness on St Patricks Day. He toasts an Irish friend of his every year, despite the fact that we haven’t seen him for over 15 years. Although he drinks it neat there are some delicious and some not quite as delicious Guinness cocktails. A classic Guinness cocktail is the Black Velvet.
Black Velvet
1 part Guinness
2 parts Champagne
Pour Guinness into a chilled Champagne flute. Next add the Champagne carefully - it should not mix with the Guinness, and serve.


Tipperary

With a name like Tipperary it’s already made the list, add to the fact that it’s made with Irish whiskey and we have our fourth member of our St Patrick’s Day Cocktail list.
Tipperary
2 parts. Irish whiskey
1 part. sweet vermouth
Green Chartreuse
Rinse a chilled cocktail glass with green Chartreuse and pour out the excess. Stir whiskey and vermouth with ice, and strain into the coated glass.


Irish Flag Shooter

Over the years some cocktails have become synonymous with St Patrick's Day and one of these cocktails is actually a shooter - the Irish Flag Shooter. A rather acquired taste, but the shooter looks great bearing the colors of the Irish flag.
Irish Flag Shooter
1 part crème de menthe
1 part Baileys
1 part Grand Marnier
Pour the crème de menthe into a shot glass first, float the Baileys on the top, let settle and then float the Grand Marnier on top.

More St Patrick's Day Cocktails to Enjoy

Irish Cow

You'll need a mug instead of a cocktail glass for this St Patricks Day drink. Containing Irish whiskey and warm milk it's guaranteed to warm you up!
Irish Cow
2 oz. Irish Whisky
8 oz. Hot milk
Dash sugar
Pour the milk into a coffee mug. Add the whisky and sugar and stir well.


Leprechaun

I always think of this cocktail as the Irish version of Englands G&T!
Leprechaun
2 oz Irish Whiskey
Tonic Water
Lemon Twist
Put some ice into a collins glass and pour the Whiskey in, top up with tonic water. Give the drink a gentle stir and pop in the lemon twist.


Paddy's Girl

"I wish I was Paddy's Girl...." (sung to the tune of Jessie's Girl).
This cocktail not only has an Irish monicker, but it is absolutely D E L I C I O U S ! What else would you expect when you take Baileys, Kahlua and coffee???
Paddy's Girl
1 shot of Irish Whiskey
1 shot of Baileys Irish cream
1 shot of Kahlua
1 shot of espresso
Pour all the ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth and creamy. Next pour into a margarita glass and top with chocolate shavings to serve.


The Fruity Irishman

Now this cockail sounds a little strange, but trust with me it will be a hit. Why serve it on St Patrick's Day? It has Irishman in the title; it contains Baileys & it is green - definately worthy on our list of St Patrick's Day Cocktails.
The Fruity Irishman
2 Parts Baileys Irish Cream
1 Part Midori
Simply pour over ice and enjoy - too easy!


Irish Eyes

Irish Eyes is an absolutely classic St Patrick's Day Cocktail and one that could not be left off the list...........there's nothing else to say.
Irish Eyes
1 oz Irish whiskey
¼ oz Crème de menthe, green
2 oz cream
Maraschino cherry for garnish
Pour the ingredients into a shaker along with ice and shake well. Strain into an old-fashioned glass to serve and garnish with the maraschino cherry.


I have written other posts on cocktails that are perfect for St Paddy's Day so be sure to check them out - Green St Patrick's Day Cocktails, Guinness Cocktails and Bailey's Cocktails.

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Hot Chocolate Cocktails

Yesterday after school I made my daughter ‘proper’ hot chocolate, not a packet or tin in sight. I heated up the milk and added in a generous number of chocolate and stirred until it melted. She was really impressed, but then I went even further and popped a scoop of ice cream on top – a hot chocolate float. I got the look that tells a mom you’re amazing and the biggest grin all week :)

I started thinking about how it really is the simple things in life that bring us the most comfort and then I started thinking about how much I enjoy ‘adult’ hot chocolates. My favorite hot chocolate cocktail is The Snuggler, probably because I’m lazy and all it involves is making a mug of hot chocolate (I just use whatever’s in my cupboard which is usually cadbury’s) and adding a shot and a half of peppermint schnapps into it. Words can’t really express how delicious this cocktail is, the comforting feeling of the hot chocolate, the great combination of chocolate and mint all accompanied by that warmth that spreads through your body when you drink schnapps :)

If the Snuggler doesn’t appeal to you then check out more hot chocolate cocktails from using Kahlua to rum there’s bound to be one that you like to try.

These cocktails don’t require beautiful glassware, just a simple mug like this one –

Love is...., chocolate by lou165
Browse Love Mugs

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Cupid Loves Chocolate

Cupid is getting closer and you know how he loves his arrows, well he also loves chocolate…….we actually he may not, but I do and I think chocolate and Valentine’s Day belong together!

Introducing today’s cocktail –

Chocolate Full Moon

2 shots Tequila
1 shot Crème de Cacao – brown
1 shot cream

Pour all of the ingredients into a shaker with ice and shake. Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with chocolate shavings. Be careful how many of these you have, they have a powerful kick.

Chocolate …. Cream….what more could you want in a cocktail, I mean really? You don’t like tequila? Well I must admit at my last girl’s cocktail night the one request from ¾ of my guests was NO TEQUILA! It seems that everyone has a story where they’ve overdone it on the tequila and now can’t stand to look at it :D

Anyway if you want a different chocolate cocktail you will find a delicious array of them at Chocolate Cocktails. Now I know just what I feel like and it’s not a Shirley Temple so until next time – cheers!

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February Means Valentines Day

Well it’s February which means that Valentines Day will soon be here – are you planning on having a Valentines Day Party this year? If you are start thinking about food, drinks and décor. As this is a cocktail blog we’ll just look at the drinks side of it today!

Whatever drinks you chose to serve it’s important to make sure you have some ice, a great idea is to use heart shaped ice molds. Now that seems simple, but do you want to take the idea up a notch? Buy some red food coloring and add a little to the water before you make the ice – red love hearts what could be better???? A great effect for such a little outlay.

What drinks are you going to have on hand? Champagne or a nice sparkling wine seems to always be a good choice and when it comes to cocktails I always find that chocolate ones are popular on Valentines so make sure you purchase some crème de cacao.

I have a selection of Valentines Day Cocktails for you to check out, but if you’re after something a little different than the norm then the Strawberry and Balsamic Martini is a great idea. Strawberries are the food of love after all and adding them with Balsamic vinegar gives a really unique flavor that is, in a word, delicious.

Strawberry and Balsamic Martini

4 fresh strawberries
2 shots vodka
¾ shot strawberry liqueur
¾ shot balsamic vinegar

Muddle the strawberries and vodka together in the base of the shaker. Next add the strawberry liqueur, balsamic vinegar and ice. Shake well before straining into a martini glass to serve. Be prepared for compliments :)

Another important thing to have on hand at any Valentines Day party is non-alcoholic alternatives. I really appreciate a host that offers mocktails when I have to drive because I don’t feel like I’m missing out then. I have a few mocktail ideas here.

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