Nibbles & Sips

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

Cocktail Advent 18: Warm and Toasty

Sips

Another cider drink perfect for chasing away the chill. If you don’t have access to The Perfect Puree-brand cranberry puree, I’m fairly certain you can come up with a substitute in a pinch. I think blended, frozen raspberries would work equally well if that’s what you happen to have closer to hand.

Warm and Toasty
Source: Manny Hinojosa

  • • 1 1/2 oz. Bourbon
  • • 1 1/2 oz. The Perfect Purée Cranberry Puree, thawed
  • • 5 oz. hot apple cider
  • • Whipped cream
  • • Dash of ground cinnamon
  • • Apple slice (for garnish)
  • • Orange wheel (for garnish)

In a coffee mug, combine apple cider, cranberry puree and bourbon. Stir and top with whipped cream and cinnamon. Garnish with apple slice & orange wheel.

***This recipe was submitted by a representative of The Perfect Puree. 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 17: Ol’ Fashioned Holiday Maple

Sips

The reason people are constantly creating new spins on the old classic cocktails is because those classics have stood the test of time.

Knob Creek® Ol’ Fashioned Holiday Maple
Created by Michael Symon

  • Pinch of Raw Sugar
  • Orange Peel
  • 3 Dashes Bitters
  • 1 ½ parts Knob Creek® Smoked Maple Bourbon
  • 1 part Calvados Boulard® Apple Brandy

1. Drop a pinch of raw sugar, orange peel, and 3 dashes bitters into a rocks glass and muddle.

2. Add Knob Creek® Smoked Maple Bourbon and Calvados Boulard® Apple Brandy and stir with ice.

As far as the parts go, I’d go with an ounce per part, and I can’t see why they didn’t just write it that way. *shrug* The featured spirit here, the Smoked Maple Bourbon, was released last fall (2013) and appears to still be available. It certainly sounds tasty enough to hunt down!

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

Cocktail Advent 16: 8th Night Toddy

Sips

Today’s drink is perfect for chasing the chills away–whether it’s the weather outside or the weather you’re under.

8th Night Toddy
Created by Luca Zanirato, Miami

Ingredients:
  • 2 parts Basil Hayden’s® Bourbon
  • ¼ part Honey
  • 1-2 Star Anise
  • 2 parts Hot Water
  • Orange Zest
  • Lemon Zest
  • 3 Cinnamon Sticks
Method:
1. Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker.
2. Shake and strain into a hot toddy glass and garnish with a cinnamon stick.
It is also, of course, created in honor of Hanukkah, which begins tonight according to my calendar.
***This recipe was submitted by a representative of Basil Hayden’s Bourbon. I am not affiliated with this brand nor was I compensated for this post, not even with review samples. As always, we believe in responsible refreshment and the use of the Designated Driver. No drunken monkeys, please!***

Cocktail Advent 15: Kitten’s Milk

Sips

I picked up a bottle of absinthe just before Halloween on a lark and I was surprised at how smooth it was, both with and without water. I haven’t tried it in a cocktail, yet, but this one sounds delectable.

Image via Lucid Absinthe

Image via Lucid Absinthe

Kitten’s Milk

  • 1 ½ oz. Lucid Absinthe
  • ½ oz. agave nectar or honey
  • 1 egg white
  • Dash of rose water
  • 2 oz. heavy cream

Add all ingredients to a shaker,  and shake dry (i.e. with no ice).  Next, fill shaker with ice and shake rigorously.  Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a rose petal.

I would imagine that coconut milk would work well in this in place of the heavy cream, if you were wanting or needing to reduce the dairy. The combination of the rose water and the anise flavor of the absinthe remind me of some French candies a friend gifted me in high school. I imagine this would take me right back.

***This recipe was submitted by a representative of Lucid Absinthe. I am neither affiliated with the brand, 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 14: Yuletide Martini

Sips

As we approach the middle of the month you’re either one of two things: rolling along the waves of holiday cheer or in need of a bit of a pick-me-up. For the latter, the cinnamon syrup in this next cocktail might be just the eye-opener you need!

Image via Bombay Sapphire Gin

Image via Bombay Sapphire Gin

‘Yuletide Martini’
– Created by Bombay Sapphire Denver’s Most Imaginative Bartender Winner, Tacy Rowland of Bol in Denver.

  •  2 oz Bombay Sapphire
  • 2 tsp Cranberry Sauce
  • .25 oz dry curaçao
  • .25 oz cinnamon syrup
  • 1 dash five spice bitters (Bar Keep)

“The Martini was called ‘the only American invention as perfect as the sonnet’ by H.L. Menken. and, although the classic recipe involves only gin and vermouth, in the American spirit of invention, the cocktail can be experimented with to no end. In light of the holidays, The Yuletide Martini takes inspiration from some of the brighter flavors of the holidays, and incorporates cranberry, orange and spices to evoke the feeling of holiday spirit. E.B. White called the martini the ‘elixir of quietude,’ and this martini is meant to be just that: a quiet moment to be found in the hectic rush of the holiday season. Cheers.”

As this one has a couple of non-spirit ingredients, I would suggest shaking over stirring, especially to get the cranberry sauce really mixed in well. You might also want to double-strain this one for maximum clarity.

***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!***