cranberry juice

Cocktail Advent 31: Holiday Sparkler

Sips

We made it! It’s the end of 2014 and, frankly, it couldn’t come soon enough.

Now, don’t get me wrong, there were a lot of good things that happened in 2014 and I don’t want to dismiss them but there were also a lot of sucky things that happened, friends we lost, and the struggles that went into making the good things happen. It’s been a rough year not just for me but for many of my friends and, well, we’re all hoping for a better time of things in 2015!

So with that in mind, I present to you the final cocktail in our Advent series…

Image via Ruffino Prosecco

Image via Ruffino Prosecco

Ruffino Holiday Sparkler

Gather together to celebrate tradition and the holiday season with the Ruffino Holiday Sparker. This cocktail includes autumn flavors of apple cider, cranberry, citrus and maple syrup, making it an easy-to-make, but still complex cocktail for your festive fete.

  • 3 oz. Ruffino Prosecco DOC
  • 3/4 oz. apple cider
  • 3/4 oz. cranberry juice
  • 1 tsp. maple syrup
  • Squeeze of 1 lemon wedge

Add ingredients directly to a mixing glass with ice and stir briefly.  Strain into a chilled champagne flute that has been rimmed w/ cinnamon sugar. Garnish with a mint leaf floating on top.

As we raise our glasses tonight and watch the ball drop, or otherwise count down the seconds until the new year begins, I wish you all well. I thank you for being a part of my 2014 (even the sucky parts) as it all combines to make us stronger and better for the future. May you have a brilliant 2015 and seize every moment of promise for the gift it is!

Cheers!

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

Cocktail Advent 24: Santa’s Surprise

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Milk and cookies are so last year. Why not leave Santa something a little more special this year (but make sure he’s got the sleigh on auto-pilot first!).

Image via Flor de Cana

Image via Flor de Cana

Santa’s Surprise

  • 1.5 oz Flor de Caña 7 Year Rum
  • 0.5 oz Lemon Juice
  • 0.5 oz Cranberry Juice
  • 0.75 oz Vanilla Syrup
  • 2 Dashes Orange Bitters

Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with a lemon, strawberry, and sprig of mint.

Ho ho ho, Merry Christmas!

***This recipe was submitted by a representative of Flor de Caña. 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 9: Plum Tart

Sips

I tried to make a plum pudding–the steamed variety–one Christmas several years back. I’m still not 100% sure that I did it correctly or that that was how it was supposed to taste, but it was a fun experiment all the same. This cocktail might be a bit simpler to execute.

Image via Bombay Sapphire Gin

Image via Bombay Sapphire Gin

Plum Tart
— Created by Bombay Sapphire Miami’s Most Imaginative Bartender Winner, Philip Khandehrish of The Setai Bar in Miami.

  • 2 oz plum wine
  • 1 oz Bombay Sapphire Gin
  • .75 oz cranberry juice
  • 3 drops of orange bitters
  • 3 lime wedges
  • 2 bar spoons of Demerrara sugar

Directions
Muddle lime and sugar in glass.
Add rest of ingredients.  Shake well and strain into Martini Glass
Top with lime wheel with dried cranberries

Plum wine can often be found in the sake section of your local wine shop.

***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 6: Wild Cherry Peppermint Cosmo

Sips

There’s something about a Cosmo that makes it a great holiday drink. I think it might be the great color from the cranberry juice that makes you think festive.

Image via Devotion Vodka

Image via Devotion Vodka

Devotion Wild Cherry Peppermint Cosmo

  • 2.5 ounces of Devotion Wild Cherry Vodka
  • Dash of Peppermint Schnapps
  • 1.5 ounces of Diet Cranberry Juice

Combine over ice and shake until chilled. Strain into cocktail glass.

Now, I do have an issue with this particular recipe. It’s been shown in at least one study that the artificial sweeteners in diet drinks, when combined with alcohol, effectively get you drunk faster. Basically, the sugar in the regular mixers ‘gets in the way of’ the alcohol entering the bloodstream more than the artificial sweeteners. You still get the same amount of alcohol, you just feel the effects sooner.

There have been very few times I’ve wanted to be intoxicated faster versus enjoying a drink and keeping my faculties fully functioning, so this isn’t a plus, to me. Also, this recipe is being shopped around as a low-cal cocktail (read as: healthier) and, folks, alcohol is brimming with calories. If you want low-cal, drink water. Otherwise, pick a drink that’s worth the calories and enjoy the party.

Do with the information what you will.

***This recipe was provided by a representative of Devotion Vodka. I am not affiliate 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!***

AlcoHOLidays | 4th of July | Patriot Punch

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KB_StrokeOfMidnight2_Bowl

As promised, here is the second part of our 2-week Independence Day extravaganza!

This week’s cocktail comes to us courtesy of Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey (which we reviewed last month) and they are doing their level best to show us all the ways to include darker spirits in our summer entertaining. By combining the whiskey with juice and champagne is really a great way to lighten up a traditionally winter liquor.

Kilbeggan Patriot Punch

2 parts Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey
1 part DeKuyper Apricot Brandy
1 part Cranberry Juice
2 parts Champagne
Lemon Wheel (thinly sliced)

To Serve As A Cocktail: Build all ingredients over ice in a stemless red wine glass. Garnish with a lemon wheel.

To Serve As A Punch: Double the recipe and multiply by the number of guests you plan to serve. Add Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey, DeKuyper Apricot Brandy and cranberry juice to a punch bowl, stir and refrigerate. When guests arrive, add champagne and lemon wheels. Serve over ice in stemless red wine glasses.

Just do me one favor, okay? Promise you won’t mix cocktails and fireworks–designated drivers and designated lighters, too! Have a safe and festive 4th!

Cheers!