Category Archives: Drinks with Alcohol
A Gingerbread Cocktail
I LOVE Christmas. It’s the time of year for everything FESTIVE! This is a new cocktail I found in SELF magazine. I modified the original recipe quite a bit. The nice thing is that it’s not very strong and it has a very holidayish flavor. If you are looking for something that fits the holiday spirit, I know you’ll love this one.
There’s more to come! I’m hoping that the closer we get to Christmas Andy and I will renew our “mulled wine quest.” Or wassail! Same difference. We have some new ideas for this holiday season – so, get ready. AND… We’re also getting ready to test some hot toddy recipes with various teas; should be interesting. Meanwhile, fire up this fun sipper!
Makes about 4 servings.
Ingredients:
Syrup
1 cup of water
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1-inch piece of fresh ginger, thinly sliced
3 cinnamon sticks (and additional sticks to garnish)
3 whole cloves
Espresso Liqueur
1 cup boiling water
2 tbsp instant espresso powder
3-4 tbsp hazelnut liqueur
1/2 cup of Kahlua
Directions:
For the Syrup
1. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine water, sugar, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves.
2. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until sugar dissolves.
3. Remove the pan from the heat and allow syrup to cool, about 20 minutes.
4. Using tongs, remove and discard the ginger, cloves, and cinnamon.
For the Espresso Liqueur
1. In a glass measuring cup, whisk together boiling water, espresso powder, and liqueur until powder is dissolved.
2. Set aside to cool.
Making the Cocktail
1. Take out 4 martini glasses and add a couple cubes to each glass
2. Add a cup of syrup to an ice filled martini shaker
3. Shake for a couple seconds and strain into a glass until the glass is just over half full
4. Fill the remainder of the glass by pouring the espresso liqueur into the middle of the syrup
5. Repeat for the other servings
6. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and enjoy!
What’s your favorite holiday cocktail??
Maple Syrup and Calvados Cocktail
Andy’s absolute favorite thing is maple syrup. Anytime I come across a recipe having to do with maple syrup, I feel like I need to give it a whirl. You never know how things are gonna turn out, after all. In this circumstance, I was also experimenting with brandy; something new for me. Did you know that brandy comes in almost every flavor imaginable? Neither did I. Seems there is more room for experimentation than I thought. This cocktail is easy and not at all time consuming. It has a refreshing and unique flavor. We also tried different grades of maple syrup and found that Grade B (darker) was better. It has a much stronger taste and is good for cooking. Do you have a favorite maple syrup recipe? (psst- don’t say a maple salmon glaze, seems everyone has that)
Ingredients:
(a shot glass is about an ounce)
1 1/2 oz calvados (or apple brandy)
1 oz maple syrup (grade A)
1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
ice cubes
slices of green apple for garnish
Directions:
1. In a cocktail shaker, combine the calvados, maple syrup, lemon juice and ice.
2 Shake for 10-15 seconds.
3. Strain into a glass filled with ice.
4. Garnish with green apple slices.
Enjoy responsibly!
Recipe from The Framed Table.
