Nibbles & Sips

Fun with food and beverages: recipes and opinions about what, how, and why we eat.

Cocktail Advent 23: Good Memories

Sips

As the holiday season wears on, it’s a good time to think back to friends far away or family antics relegated to memory. Today’s cocktail sounds like a soothing accompaniment to long sessions spent reliving the “old” days–be they twenty or two years passed.

Image via Bombay Sapphire Gin

Image via Bombay Sapphire Gin

Good Memories
– Created by Bombay Sapphire New York’s Most Imaginative Bartender Winner, Vincenzo Cangemi of Ovest Pizzoteca and Bar in NYC

  • 1.75oz Bombay Sapphire Gin
  • 1 oz spiced rum
  • 1 scoop Hazelnut ice cream
  • 0.5oz cherry liquor
  • Jerry Thomas bitter
  • Cinnamon

Method: Pour all the ingredients into a shaker except the bitter and cinnamon, then shake with no ice, just with a strainer cord, the ice cream will melt into the drink chilling it out perfectly, getting creamy and ready for some cinnamon grated on top and Jerry Thomas bitter.

“It’s a delicious martini-style cocktail perfect for Christmas, with hazelnut notes and cloves, all surrounded with cinnamon aroma, cherries, and vanilla from the rum. It’s a cold blend that has a floral body from the Bombay Sapphire Gin, that warms you up in the cold. It is also perfect for a summery Christmas on a fantastic tropical island. Enjoy responsibly! Salute!”

I’m going to guess that, if you cannot find Hazelnut ice cream in your market and do not feel like whipping up a batch yourself, a splash of hazelnut liqueur and some quality vanilla bean ice cream would do the trick. As for the “strainer cord” your guess is as good as mine–the only reference I could find to that was that some bartenders keep their strainers close at hand by hanging them from a retractable cord.

***This recipe was provided by a representative of Bombay Sapphire Gin. I am not affiliated with this brand nor was compensated to post this recipe, not even with review samples. As always, we encourage responsible refreshment and the use of the Designated Driver. No drunken monkeys, please!***

Cocktail Advent 22: Cali Midnight

Sips

As dark as a long winter’s night, this stunner would probably work slightly warmed, too!

Image via Caliche Rum

Image via Caliche Rum

Cali Midnight

  • 1 1/2 oz Caliche Rum
  • 3/4 oz Port Wine
  • 1/2 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
  • 1/2 oz Triple Sec
  • Cinnamon stick for garnish

 

Only, do yourself a favor and buy a bottle of Cointreau instead of using Triple Sec. Your taste buds will thank you!

I’d say (since they didn’t) stir this up. Either increase it to pitcher proportions over ice or put it in a slow-cooker on low or warm and serve as mulled wine.

***This recipe was submitted by a representative of Caliche Rum. I am not affiliated with the brand nor have I received any compensation for this post, not even review samples. As always, we encourage responsible refreshment and the use of a Designated Driver. No drunken monkeys, please!***

Cocktail Advent 21: Mistletoe Martini

Sips

I say you make this next one a double, serve the second to your significant other, and not worry about where the mistletoe is!

Image via Devotion Vodka

Image via Devotion Vodka

Mistletoe Martini

  • 1.5 oz. Devotion Vodka Black & Blue
  • 1 oz. Kahlua
  • 1 oz. Bailey’s Irish Cream
  • 1 oz. White Crème de Cocoa

Pour all ingredients into a martini shaker filled with ice. Shake and strain mixture into a martini glass, and garnish with chocolate shavings.

Devotion Black and Blue is a blackberry and blueberry flavored vodka. Interesting to pair it with the coffee and cream elements. I’d still be tempted to put this together in a blender with a scoop or two of vanilla ice cream for a… (I’m trying to come up with a portmanteau of alcohol(ic) and smoothie and nothing’s sounding right–smoothahol(ic), alcosmooth, smocohoolie, it’s just not happening, is it?) something tasty! Maybe.

***This recipe was submitted by a representative of Devotion Vodka. I am not affiliated with the brand nor was I compensated for posting this recipe, not even with review samples. As always, we encourage responsible refreshment and the use of the Designated Driver. No drunken monkeys, please!***

Cocktail Advent 20: Almond Eggnog

Sips

I debated including this one, but decided to after all. First, because I didn’t have a true eggnog (I keep typing eggnot, which is probably telling) and, perhaps, still don’t. Second, because it’s good to let the non-dairy milks have a chance. Third, if you’re feeling a little overdone from the rest of this month’s cocktail suggestions, this might create a tiny oasis of dubious healthfulness.

Today’s recipe also contains absolutely no alcohol, so if you wanted this to be your breakfast for a last round of Christmas shopping, it’s a much better option than the high-octane options previously presented!

Image via USANA Health Sciences

Image via USANA Health Sciences

Almond Eggnog
(serves one…two if you feel like sharing, but you won’t)

  • 1 cup vanilla-flavored unsweetened almond milk
  • 3 tablespoons French Vanilla Nutrimeal
  • 1 tablespoon 100 percent pure maple syrup
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon nutmeg
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 cup ice

Place all ingredients into a blender. Blend until smooth. Serve immediately. And enjoy staying healthy this season!

The meal replacement shake ingredient provides protein and fiber, and I would imagine your preferred version of it would be fine. (Nutrimeal, for what it’s worth, has several High-FODMAP ingredients so I won’t be giving it a try.) Leaving it out is a possibility, but probably would make the smoothie feel a bit thin.

***This recipe was submitted by a representative of USANA Health Sciences. I am not affiliated with the company nor was I compensated for this post, not even with review samples. As always, we encourage responsible refreshment and the use of the Designated Driver. No drunken monkeys, please!***

Cocktail Advent 19: Lady in the Garden

Sips

Here’s another cocktail idea courtesy of North Hollywood’s Bow & Truss Restaurant and Bar. They propose this as an alternative to eggnog.

Image via Bow & Truss

Image via Bow & Truss

Again, no measurements given, but we’re dealing with a twist on the classic Pisco Sour, so it’s not hard to figure out.

Lady in the Garden

  • 3 oz Pisco
  • 3 Basil leaves
  • 1 oz Simple Syrup
  • 1 oz Orange Juice
  • 1 Egg White
  • Orange Blossom Water and a small Basil sprig for garnish

In the bottom of a mixing glass, muddle the basil in the pisco just enough to release some of the oils. Add in the orange juice, and the egg white and dry-shake (meaning, use no ice) for about 15 seconds or so. Then add ice to your cocktail shaker and shake again to chill. Strain into a prepared cocktail coupe and top with a few drops of orange blossom water and a pretty basil sprig.

If you’ve never tried Pisco before, it reminds me of tequila–they both have that innate warmth and rich mouth-feel to me. While I think it’s a stretch to call this an egg-nog substitute, I certainly wouldn’t turn one down if it were offered to me!

***This “recipe” was provided by a representative of Bow & Truss Restaurant and Bar. I am not affiliated with the establishment nor have I been compensated for the sharing of this recipe or image. As always, we encourage responsible refreshment and the use of the Designated Driver. No drunken monkeys, please!***