November 4, 2008

Election Party.

If I had been thinking like a normal, rational person at any time in the past few weeks I would have connected that today being my birthday as well as election day would have been perfect for a party. You’ll just have to trust that it would have been kickass and probably gone something like this.

Instead you’ll just have to take what you can from these election day cocktails.

Flag Salute (left)
Ingredients:
– 2 parts Stirrings Authentic Grenadine
– 2 parts Stirrings Blueberry Martini Mixer
– 3 parts Smirnoff Vodka

Layer this shot by adding grenadine first, followed by the cold vodka poured in slowly off the back of a spoon. With a steady hand, add the Blueberry Mixer on top by pouring it off the back of a spoon. Decorate with flag toothpick.

Vote on the Rocks (right)
Ingredients:
– 2 parts Stirrings Organic Classic Sour Cherry Mixer
– 1 part tequila
– Garnish: Cherry and “vote” pick (“vote” sticker or computer-printed design + blueberries)

In a cocktail shaker, combine Organic Classic Sour Cherry Mixer with tequila and plenty of ice. Cover and shake vigorously. Strain into glass and garnish with a cherry.

:: via Hostess with the Mostess via Real Simple

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October 29, 2008

On the Rocks: Pumpkin + Gingerbread Cocktail.

You might want to skip dessert the day you decide to indulge in this Pumpkin + Gingerbread cocktail. It’s like an adult dessert in a glass!

Ingredients:
– 2 oz Dark Rum
– 1 tbsp gingerbread essence
– 1 oz Pumpkin Molasses
– 1/2 oz chilled coffee
– Splash of Kahlua

Garnish: Ginger bread cookie

Shake all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain the mixture into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a ginger bread cookie.

:: cocktail recipe and photo via Fun & Food Cafe via Cocktail TImes

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October 22, 2008

On the Rocks: Spiced Apple Martini.

A Spiced Apple Martini that looks just like the real thing! Just add a crackling fire and you’re set.

Ingredients:
– 2 1/2 oz 10 Cane Rum
– 2 oz apple juice
– splash of amaretto
– 2 pinches ground cinnamon
– cinnamon/sugar mixture
Garnish: cinnamon stick

In a mixing glass, add rum, apple juice, Amaretto, ground cinnamon and ice cubes. Shake vigorously and strain into a superfine sugar and ground cinnamon rimmed chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with cinnamon stick.

:: cocktail recipe and photo via Cocktail Times

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1
October 15, 2008

On the Rocks: Pear Cardamom Flip.

The Pear Cardamom Flip is a little more involved that your average cocktail, but the outcome is well worth it.

Ingredients:
– 1 tsp Clear Creek Pear Brandy
– 1 ripe pear, divided
– 8 medium sized mint leaves
– 1 tsp huckleberry liqueur
– 2 dashes orange bitters
– 3/4 oz pear-cardamom syrup
– 11/2 oz light rum
– 3/4 oz fresh squeezed lemon juice
– 1/4 oz fresh ginger juice
– 1 large egg white

Dice 1/4 of the pear into 1/4″ cubes. Place in rocks glass with huckleberry liqueur, mint and brandy. Stir.

Cut another 1/4 of the pear into large chunks. Place in mixing tin. Add bitters and syrup. Muddle to completely break down pear. Add ice, rum, lemon juice, ginger juice and egg white. Shake for 30 seconds.

Add ice cubes to rocks glass. Strain cocktail into rocks glass. Garnish with a paper thin slice of pear atop froth.

Pear-Cardamom Syrup:
– 1 cup granulated sugar
– 1 cup water
– 1/2 USA Pear, shaved with vegetable peeler
– 1 tsp ground cardamom

Bring sugar and water to boil in small pot. Remove from heat and add pear and cardamom. Cover and let sit for 20 minutes. Strain and chill.

:: cocktail recipe and photo via Cocktail Times

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1
October 8, 2008

On the Rocks: Autumn Cocktail.

An autumn cocktail worthy enough to be called the Autumn Cocktail.

Ingredients:
– 2 oz Imported GranGala Triple Orange Liqueur
– 1 oz Flor de Cana Rum
– 1 oz Cranberry Syrup*
– 2 Pieces of Fresh Ruby Red Grapefruit (peel, no skin or white)
– Dash of Orange Bitters
– Drunken cranberries**

In a Boston glass add grapefruit and cranberry syrup. Muddle, add 1 ice scoop then GranGala, rum and bitters. Shake well and pour into a young wine glass. Garnish with drunken cranberries.

* To make the Cranberry Syrup you need 2 cups sugar, 1 cup water and 2 cups of cranberries (rinsed and de-stemmed). Add ingredients to a saucepan, adjust heat to medium-high. Allow to boil and then reduce to a simmer. The mixture is ready once the sugar has dissolved, the syrup is slightly thickened and has taken on the color and aroma of the berries, this should take about 5 minutes.

** To make the Drunken Cranberries you need 2 cups sugar, 1 cup dark rum, 1 cup fresh cranberries (rinsed and de-stemmed). Follow Cranberry Syrup directions, and pull out the cranberries and use for the garnish.

:: cocktail recipe and photo via Martini Groove

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2
October 1, 2008

On the Rocks: Tartini.

Have you ever sampled the Tartini? Introduced via Sex and the City, this cocktail takes components from both the martini and the flirtini and combines them all into a treat for your tastebuds.

Ingredients:
– fluid ounce berry vodka
– 1/2 fluid ounce orange liqueur
– 1/2 fluid ounce pineapple juice
– 1/2 fluid ounce cranberry juice
– juice from half a lime
– Champagne

Combine the raspberry vodka, cointreau, pineapple juice, cranberry juice, and lime juice in a shaker. Shake well for 45 seconds to form ice crystals. Strain into a glass and top with a splash of Champagne Makes 1 cocktail.

:: cocktail and photo via YumSugar

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September 24, 2008

On the Rocks: Corkscrew.

Decidedly un- fall, the Corkscrew is my personal shove off to summer.

Ingredients:
– 1 1/2 oz light rum
– 1/2 oz dry vermouth
– 1/2 oz peach liqueur
– Squeeze of lime juice

Combine all four ingredients in a cocktail shaker and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a twist of lime peel.

:: cocktail recipe and photo via yumsugar

Posted In cocktails
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September 17, 2008

On the Rocks: Blue Heaven.

A Blue Heaven cocktail is incredibly easy to mix up because you only use a few ingredients. It just looks so light and refreshing, dontcha think?

Ingredients:
– 1½ oz Alizé Bleu
– 5 oz lemonade
– fresh blueberries

Fill a tall glass with ice. Add Alizé Bleu and top with lemonade. Sprinkle with blueberries.

:: cocktail recipe and photo via LCBO

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1
September 9, 2008

On the Rocks: Citrus Ginger-Mint Lemonade.

Citrus Ginger-Mint Lemonade that’s sure to make the steamiest of days a little more bearable.

Ingredients:
– 2 oz Belvedere Cytrus (or citrus flavored vodka)
– 3/4 oz Mint infused simple syrup (or middle mint leaves with sugar)
– 1/2 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
– 1 tsp ginger juice
– Club Soda

Middle ginger and mint in a mixing glass and shake with ice. Strain over ice i a collins glass. Top with a splash of soda and garnish with a sprig of mint.

:: photo and cocktail recipe via Cocktail Times

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September 8, 2008

On the Rocks: Las Super Chevalas.

As a bonus this week, I’ll be posting two special editions of On the Rocks today and tomorrow afternoon. So yeah, maybe I’m feeling a little guilty and wanting to get a few extra posts in before I head out of town. And I’m figuring with my 10 year reunion being the reason for the trip I’ll need a little extra help digesting all those peeps from the past. Las Super Chevalas should do the trick very, very nicely.

Ingredients:
– 4 ice cold scooners or mugs, rimmed with salt
– 4 ice cold Modelo Negro
– 3 shots Jose Cuervo Tequilia
– ice cold juice of 2 lemons
– Lime wedge

In a pitcher, mix the beer, tequilia and lemon juice. Rim the scooner with salt. Pour in and squeeze a wedge of lime.

:: photo and cocktail recipe via exceeding the speed limit

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