Yesterday, my niece said she loved martinis, so into my cupboard of things to make one, I thought of this. It isn’t difficult and tasted mighty fine, I might add.
- 1 shot whipped cream vodka
- 2 shots white chocolate liqueur
- 1 shot peppermint schnapps
Mix together in an ice filled shaker and shake for a couple of seconds. Strain into a martini glass and grate some chocolate Brix over the top.
Yummy, to say the least.
Watermelon Mojitos
The one constant about summer has to be the wonderful, juicy taste and texture of ice cold ripe watermelon. Here is another way to get that summer “comfort” food….okay, cocktail…whatever!
- 9 oz. tequila
- 3 tbsp. agave syrup (natural sweetner)
- 36 mint leaves
- 6 tbsp. freshly squeezed lime juice
- 4 cups cubed and seedless watermelon
- crushed ice and club soda
- thin watermelon wedges for garnish
- 6 x 12 oz. glasses
To each glass add 1 1/2 oz. tequila, 2 tsp. agave syrup and 6 mint leaves. Using the handle of a wooden spoon muddle the mixture for 20 seconds. Add 1 tbsp lime juice to each glass.
In a blender, puree the watermelon until smooth. Divide equally among the glasses. Top with ice and soda water and gently stir. Add a thin wedge of watermelon on edge of the glass and serve.
Ahhhh yes…watermelon. Yummy.
Triple Chocolate Milkshake
This is a nice way to calm the kids down and keep everyone cool at the same time.
- 1 x 500 ml bottle of “chillin’ chocolate’ milk
- 5 huge scoops of chocolate ice cream (Chapman’s is the best)
- 1 tbsp. chocolate syrup
- 1 frozen banana, sliced
- 1/2 cup whipping cream (36% if you can buy it)
- 2 tbsp. maple syrup
- 1 tbsp. chocolate sprinkles
In a blender, combine the milk, ice cream, syrup and frozen banana. Puree for a full 2 minutes until SMOOTH.
In a bowl, whip the cream with the maple syrup until stiff peaks form. Transfer to a piping bag with a rosette tip.
Divide the milkshake into 4 clear glasses (or 2 if really thirsty), and garnish each one with a whipped cream rosette and sprinkle of the chocolate.
Change it up:
If you like or prefer strawberries, change the ice cream to strawberry, the milk to strawberry, add fresh berries and continue on as with the chocolate one. Just garnish with a fanned out strawberry on top.
Spring In The Orchard Cocktail
Okay, the weather is improving and this would be an awesome drink to start off the new season and warmer weather. There are a few steps to take first.
1. Clean the deck/patio of all winter debris
2. Quickly wash it down and set out the furniture (hurry before a Spring snow-shower appears)
3. Go to the kitchen and begin:
- 1/4 cup Cognac
- 1/4 cup Calvados (yum)
- 2 tbsp. Grand Marnier
- 2 tbsp. Pear liqueur
- 4 tsp. fresh lime juice
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- crushed ice
- thinly sliced pear pieces
Pour the ingredients into a shaker filled with crushed ice. Shake vigorously for about 20-25 times. Strain into 2 martini glasses and top with a thin slice of pear.
Go out on the deck now and toast the new season. Yeah! Bring on the sun…this could be considered a ‘starter’ drink. Take that whichever way you wish…start of a headache ….start of a fun summer ahead…you silly, that is all I was thinking of.
Mango Sour For New Year’s Eve
What a neat cocktail this is to welcome in the New Year.
This will make 6 drinks…adjust to numbers in your home.
- 1 cup mango nectar
- 3/4 cup vodka
- 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
- 3 tbsp. berry sugar (superfine)
Stir together the nectar, vodka, lemon juice and sugar in a 1 qt. glass measure.
Pour half of this into a shaker filled with crushed ice and shake for 30 seconds, strain and pour into chilled old fashioned glasses. Repeat for the remaining nectar mixture.
Garnish each glass with a fresh mango spear. Serve…take a bow and from me to you, HAPPY NEW YEAR,
Special Blood Orange Cocktail
‘Tis the season to be jolly and when your company arrrives, what better way to welcome them with this special ‘signature drink’.
Each year, I tried to have a different special welcome to our home drink. This is easy, super tasty and such a pretty colour as well.
- 1 cup blood orange juice
- 1 cup Grand Marnier
- 1 750 ml bottle of sparkling wine
Stir the juice and liqueur together in a pitcher, cover with plastic wrap and keep in the refrigerator until well chilled.
Divide among some chilled martini glasses. Toast the New Year and the conversation will start.
In case I didn’t mention it…….yummy!
Limeade Syrup Base
To make a lovely limeade drink with lots of ice or a base for an alcoholic drink using a simple syrup. This will do the trick. Great flavour.
- 3 tsp. grated lime zest
- 1 1/2 cups berry sugar
- 1/2 cup boiling water
- 1 1/2 cups fresh lime juice
In a sealable jar, combine the lime zest, sugar and boiling water. Cover tightly and shake until the sugar has completely dissolved. Add the lime juice and store in the refrigerator until ready to use. This make about 2 2/3 cups syrup base.
To make a glass: pour 1/2 cup syrup into a tall glass, add ice and 3/4 cup of cold water. Stir quickly to mix well.
To make a pitcher: Use all the syrup with 5 cups ice cold water in a large pitcher. Add ice cubes and stir. This make about 8 cups of limeade.
Enjoy!
Vodka Infusions
These are easy to make and can be used so many different ways to suit your tastes.
These are based on using 1 1/2 cups vodka for each flavour. This saves you money from going out and buying it at the liquor store. I know, I have done this. Besides, it’s fun to do.
- 1/2 cups vodka
- 1 star anise
- 1 dried red chile
- 2 cardamom pods
Place in a jar with airtight seal and store in a dark, cool place for 1 day. Strain into chilled glasses and enjoy. This is a little fiery. Just add a touch of gingerale and crushed ice.
Store in a sealable jar. Store in a cool, dark place for 2 days. Strain into chilled glasses and enjoy. To raise the bar, add a touch of tonic and a wedge of lime and some crushed ice. So refreshing.
- 1 1/2 cups vodka
- 4 coffee beans
- 2 tbsp. toasted hazelnuts
Store in a airtight sealable jar in a cool dark place for 3 days. Strain and pour into chilled glasses.
To up the ante on this one, add a splash of heavy cream, a little simple syrup and some crushed ice. Wow!
Remember, you made it and now you can let your imagination take over. Come up with some that you might like. Enjoy!
Faux Caesartini
You are putting on a party, serving Caesars or martinis… you have someone coming who isn’t drinking and you don’t want to make it too obvious to the rest of the gang. Make this, serve it, and you will be a hero.
- 5 parts Clamato juice
- 1 part lemon juice
- 1 splash lime juice
- 1 dash Worchestershire sauce
- 1 dash Tabasco sauce
Rim chilled martini glasses with celery salt. Pour all ingredients into a shaker with cracked ice and shake really well. Strain into prepared martini glasses and garnish with a thin celery stalk.
Winter’s Martini
What a great signature drink to serve your guests as they enter your home for an evening of great food, great conversation , great friends.
- 1 part lemon vodka
- 1 part triple sec
- 1 part lemoncella
- 1 part peach shnapps
- splash of mango nectar
Pour all the ingredients into a crushed ice filled shaker and shake really well for about 5-6 seconds. Strain into well chilled martini glasses that have been rimmed with Triple Sec and sugar.
You will get lots of ooohs and ahhs with this one. Serve only 1 – that is what makes it a signature drink.
Win The Gold Mocktinis
For those of you who do not inbibe for whatever reason, or you have guests coming who won’t be drinking, make this one up and all will be well.
- 6 parts pineapple juice
- 2 parts coconut cream (not milk)
- 2 parts fresh half and half cream
- 1 part white cranberry juice
Pour all the ingredients into a shaker filled with cracked ice and shake well. Strain into a chilled martini glass and add a wedge of fresh pineapple for garnish.
Trevor-tini
My husband’s son, Trevor, thinks I can’t make a good classic martini (I prefer the sweeter kind). Well, Trev, this is one for you. Try it out and tell me what you think. It is a classic.
- 1 part lemon vodka
- 1/4 tsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 4-5 drops dry vermouth
- lemon twist
Pour the ingredients into a shaker filled with cracked ice and shake well. Strain into chilled martini glasses and garnish with a lemon twist.