Drink of the Moment, 4th of July Edition: Melted Bomb Pop

It's Independence Day this week for the old US of A, and that means drinks all around!!  What says summertime and America (and on sooo many levels) more than the traditional stand-by at swimming pools and ice cream stands all over this nation - the 'Bomb Pop'?  Who can forget eating them as a kid and winding up with that classic blue mouth afterwards?  So, I figured why not work up a nifty adult version to celebrate the season with all of the fun, flavor, and nostalgic fondness with a little more 'pop', if you will, and a little less of the blue mouth aftermath.  Ready to accompany all of your grilling and fireworks festivities, I present to you 'The Melted Bomb Pop'.  

The Melted Bomb Pop

Splash of Rose's Grenadine
1 part Stolichnaya Wild Cherri Vodka  

2 parts UV Blue, Raspberry Flavored Vodka

3 parts Sparkling Lemonade (I used 'Sparkling Ice' Lemonade)
Popsicle stick

Start by ensuring that all items have been chilled for at least 24 hours.  (I keep my vodkas in the freezer, and my mixers in the fridge).  Once chilled thoroughly, put a generous splash of Rose's Grenadine Syrup into a champagne flute, or similarly shaped glass.  Add 1 part (1 oz for a single cocktail) Stoli Wild Cherri vodka, and let settle.  Once settled, slowly add 1 1/2 parts UV Blue vodka, pouring over the back of a spoon to layer the liquor; let settle.  Once settled, slowly pour 3 parts of your sparkling lemonade over the back of a spoon to layer; let settle.  At this point, your lemonade should have fallen to the middle of the glass, separating the red and blue.  Once stable, slowly add the extra 1/2 part of UV Blue to the top, using the spoon method to layer, to ensure you have a strong blue finish to your beverage.  Garnish with a plain popsicle stick if you have one handy.  Enjoy!!

**Note: If the 'melted' aspect of the cocktail doesn't have you super excited, you can also whip this up as a frozen 'Deconstructed Bomb Pop', if you will, by adding shaved ice with each layer.  If you give this method a try, be sure that you layer your ice with each layer of the drink so you maintain the color separation.



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Drink of the Moment, Birthday Edition: Mint Chocolate Chip Cake

Batter up!  Next in this special birthday edition series 'Drink of the Moment' is chocolate-y, mint-y, and so so yummy.  For the love of all things good, you are going to want to try this cake-tail.  It has been my birthday boy's favorite so far.  If you've missed the first two, you can find them by clicking here, and here.  :) 

Mint Chocolate Chip Cake-tail

2oz Three Olives Cake Vodka

1oz Chocolate Liquer

1oz Creme de Menthe

Chocolate Whip-a-hol

Chocolate shavings, sprinkles, etc

Place first three ingredients in a shaker over ice.  Shake vigorously, and pour into glass.  Top with whipped cream or whip-a-hol, and garnish with chocolate, or use crushed cookies to rim the glass prior to filling.  Enjoy!


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Drink of the Moment, Birthday Edition: Cherry Cheesecake

Let the birthday cake-tails continue!  Second in the lineup packs the punch of a cheesecake without all of the calories and just as much (if not more) of the fun.

Cherry Cheesecake-tail

1oz Three Olives Cake vodka

1oz Stoli Wild Cherri

Splash of Butterscotch Schnapps

1/2oz White Cranberry Juice

Maraschino Cherries

Whipped Topping

Place first four ingredients in a shaker filled with ice.  Shake vigorously, and pour into glass.  Place maraschino cherry or two into glass and top with whipped topping.  Dig in!

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Drink of the Moment, Birthday Edition: Jay's Birthday Chocolate Cake Martini

Yay, it's Jay's birthday this week(end), and that means cake for everyone!  There isn't much that I like more than cake, though a good soup runs a close second.  Cake and soup, soup and cake ... it makes me smile just thinking about them.  Not everyone has the same affinity for a hearty slice of cake though, even if it is their birthday.  It is in this area that I suppose Jay and I balance each other out a bit- otherwise I might have a fairly poor diet going on.  So, what do you do when the birthday boy isn't anxiously looking forward to acquiring a whole cake of his own?  Well, I say you build an idea on a tried and true favorite and turn that into the best hybrid birthday cake a guy (or girl) could ask for.  In the past I have used things like stacked brownies, etc, but this year it's all about the birthday cake cocktail.  I know Jay is already a convert, and I don't think any guests joining in the celebration will miss the traditional cake one bit either.  Even better, since there isn't just one big cake to share, everyone gets a say in what kind of cake they want to drink and I'll be sharing a few of varieties with you over the next day or so.  On a side note, all of these are made with Three Olives 'Cake' vodka, which I highly recommend acquiring if it's not already in your arsenal.  Seriously, you are missing out on life if you don't try it.  So on that note, cake for everyone - starting with Jay's first chocolate cake martini.  In his own words, after finishing in record speed  ... "It's tasty!"

Chocolate Cake Martini

1oz Three Olive Cake Vodka

1oz Godiva Chocolate liquer

1oz Bailey's

German Chocolate Whipahol

Godiva Hot Chocolate Mix

Place first 3 ingredients in shaker filled with ice.  Shake vigorously.  Pour into glass, and top with German Chocolate Whipahol; sprinkle with hot chocolate mix. Enjoy!

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Drink of the Moment: Rumchata Colada

No one ever said that drinking will make you skinny, so my cocktail better be worth it if it's going to have the potential to make me go up a size.  This especially holds true for the standard Pina Colada.  Once upon a summer, in a galaxy far far away - I'll call it my youth - I may have had a fair sprinkling of this fair frozen creamy pineapple-y coconut-y drink during the warmer months, but these days the harsh reality of the calorie has set in, and I usually only splurge on one of these fat floats once a year.  This year, that special moment happened to come early for me with the first really warm snap we had.   


You may remember that I LOATHE pre-fabbed mixers where you just add the alcohol, and will usually not even waste my efforts in that direction.  The Pina Colada is no exception -- well, unless maybe I'm sitting at the infinity pool bar in a wonderfully tropical location.  Anyway, I digress.  When Jay wanted whip up some Pina Coladas from scratch (which is really a lot easier than it may sound ... and yummier too), I was only luke-warm to the idea with it being so early in the season.  I mean, did I really want to blow my single Pina Pass this early this year?  And then, something magical happened that changed my perspective.  I realized I could try making it this way ... sans pineapple!

THE RUMCHATA COLADA

Ice Cubes

1/2 cup light rum (I used Bacardi)

1/2 cup Rumchata

1/2 cup coconut cream

1/4 cup coconut milk

Fresh pineapple & maraschino cherries for garnish

Fill blender with ice cubes.  Add rum, Rumchata, coconut cream, and coconut milk.  Blend until smooth.  Pour into your glass, and garnish with fruit.

YUMM-tastic I tell you.  It really was all that even without the pineapple (well, except for the garnish), and who doesn't love having a whole pitcher of happy sitting right in your fridge - even if it does mean you have to eat nothing but lettuce for a day or two.  If you don't have Rumchata in your local market, try picking up some horchata and adding a little more rum, or maybe finding a recipe for it ... like this one here.  Totally.  Worth.  It.  The best part about all of this though; I am technically still holding on to that annual 'Pina Pass' if I do find myself at some fabulous infinity pool bar in a tropical vacation spot feeling mighty thirsty.  Splurge on!     

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Drink of the Moment: Honey DO!

It's Memorial Day weekend, and we all know what that means!  Good times, good friends, and  ... good grief it's been a long time since I've done a Drink of the Moment!  For those of you that thought I had fallen ON the wagon (you know who you are), NEVER FEAR for I am back with a fantastic beverage for whatever upcoming weekend fete you might be gearing up for.  I call it the 'Honey Do' since it's sweet, melony, and easy enough for your someone else to whip up for you all afternoon so you don't have to lift a finger.  Sounds perfect, no?  Oh, and let me not forget to mention that it is neon green.  Who doesn't have fun drinking a glowy green drink - a total DO .  Give it a chug (or three) and let me know what you think!

The Honey Do

3/4-1oz Stoli Sticki honey flavored vodka

2oz Midori melon liquer

1/2 oz lime juice

1/2 oz simple syrup

Club Soda

Lime &/or blackberry for garnish

Mix first 4 ingredients in a shaker filled with ice and shake vigorously.  Pour into your glass, top with club soda, and garnish with fruit.  Easy peasy.

You can also do this one up instead of on the rocks if it tickles your fancy.  Just be sure to reduce the lime and simple syrup slightly so they don't overpower the flavor of the melon, or maybe add some more Midori if you go this route.  Either way, your own fate lies in the balance here, and the last thing anyone wants is to taste something gone horribly awry called a 'Honey Don't'.

Cheers!

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Drink of the Moment: Oatmeal Cookies and Cream

Not so long ago, I was 'challenged' to take a shooter that sounded pretty yummy, but honestly looked like it could have been day old puke, and turn it into something pretty and girly.  Never one to back down from a challenge in the drink department, I took to work and tried out a few different variations on the theme.  So, to my boozy buddy out there (you know who you are) looking for a tiny corner of soothing girly solace from this big, bad, ugly world; THIS is for you.

• Oatmeal Cookies and Cream
• 
  
• 1 ounce Buttershots butterscotch schnapps
• 1 ounce Bailey's Irish Cream 
• 1 ounce Jagermeister 
• 1 ounce Goldschlager
• 1/2 - 1 ounce warm milk or heavy cream
• Dash of cinnamon

Warm milk or heavy cream and froth with an milk frother.  Pour first four ingredients at room temperature in a glass or mug of your choice, mix slightly with a spoon or stirrer.  Top with frothed milk/heavy cream, and a dash of cinnamon.

Note:  You can use more or less of the milk/cream, but I found that the more milk/cream used, the more it diluted the oatmeal cookie taste.  Also, the heavy cream (though caloric) was, of course, way better and kept the oatmeal flavor better than my skim milk.  If you're counting calories, maybe a half and half or 2 percent milk would be a good option.       

On a side note, if you're looking for something a little less warm and fuzzy, but still think the whole oatmeal idea sounds like a winner (in which case, you'd be correct), then maybe you'll feel a little more at home with my alternate version of this dreamy drink.

Basically you just take all of the ingredients except for the milk, and stir them in a shaker over ice  .. or not (you can actually just pour them directly into the glass over ice if you get lazier by the drink like I do), and top or rim the glass with the cinnamon.  I also played around a little with the flavors, going a little heavier on a flavor or two that I'm particularly fond of (which I'd highly recommend, especially if you're a fan of Buttershots).  I've decided to call it the 'Lazy Oatmeal Cookie'.  Enjoy!! 

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ABSOLUT Folly - Holiday Series - Absolut Vitamin C

So I have outdone myself.  I know, I know - I am just a guest on this blog.  I know that you think the Absolut Holiday Series would come to a close after Christmas.  But NO!  Delicious Absolut Vodka cocktails will continue through New Year's and we don't have any time to waste.  No we don't.  Not a minute.

I woke up this morning and said to myself, I am thirsty.  But I also felt that some of my nutrients and vitamin levels were a bit low.  Thirst + Low Vitamins + After Holiday Need For A Pick-Me-Up equals only one thing to resolve that:  Absolut Vitamin C.  This is a really refreshing, with the kick of a natural energy drink that will have you sailing through the Boxing Day sales with ease and patience.  (Wait, do you guys even know what Boxing Day is?  Hmmm how should I explain this.  OK, got it!   It is Black Friday without the violence with everyone speaking French in Québec!  FUN!  Plus, you get to use your gift cards that you received for Christmas.  Smart, right?  I know, I know!)  While I would love to continue to enhance your culture, you need to get your Fannie Mae in gear and make this spectacular cocktail that will really surprise you!

Absolut Vitamin C
Find yourself a sassy, spunky glass that is 8 oz and fill it with ice.  (For some reason, this holiday I am stuck on these cocktails in white wine glasses filled with ice.   Don't know why, but it works!)
Add 2 oz of Absolut Ruby Red
Fill almost to the top with fresh squeezed orange juice.  (You can substitute with fake, concentrate, but you will really be missing out...)
1-2 splashes of Perrier or Club Soda
Garnish with a lime if you would like.

I am telling you .. I am on FIRE!  You will LOVE LOVE IT!   Happy Boxing!  Joyeuses Fêtes à vous tous!!!

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ABSOLUT Folly - Holiday Series - (cheat) Absolut Holiday S'mores Delight

So have you liked what the Absolut Secret Santa has been throwing your way?  The holidays have been filled with lots of new recipes and chocolate seems to be where it is at this Christmas.  What is great about making vodka cocktails with chocolate liqueurs is that they are chocolatey and refreshing without hitting you over the head with sweet!  I know we have indulged in caramels and truffles and cakes and pies and .... (let the belt out) ... puddings and mousses and ... (let the belt out more) ... Hershey's kisses!

So I cheated with this one.  I had to do it!  I went to the ABC store in Virginia and discovered quite a few new vodkas out on the market.  Smirnoff just released a Fluffy Marshmallow and a Whipped Cream (à la Pinacle Whipped Cream) so I had to try it.  It tasted like a S'mores Delight so I knew that I had to share it with you.  Such a great surprise .. and when you taste it ... it will make you say POW-WOW!  You might even bark ... but then that would be, BOW-WOW.  So scratch that.  It's simple and easy .. so try it!

S'mores Delight
Fill a wine glass with ice
Fill half the glass with Smirnoff Fluffy Marshmallow vodka
2 splashes of Crème de Cacao liqueur
Finish it off with Perrier or Club Soda
Mix and ... WOW!

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Drink of the Moment: The Pah-Rum-Pah-Pum-POW

Don't you just love my Secret Santa and all of his to-die-for holiday beverages?!?  I know it really made my Christmas that much more spirited and magical to have all of those little gifties sprinkled throughout the past few days.  If you missed any of them, you can check them out (or re-visit them) by clicking here, here, and here.


Because I couldn't let the holidays pass without sharing one last Drink of the Moment with you for the year, I came up with an extra special one to send us into 2012.  Except to say that this isn't technically a drink, but instead a layered spirited trifle kind of dessert shooter, the name really does all the rest of the talking.  Now you can't say that I had no gift to give.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

The Pah-Rum-Pah-Pum-POW   
Poundcake
Gingerbread (Cookie) Ice Cream
Kahlua, regular or cinnamon and spice
Bailey's Irish Cream
German Chocolate Whip-a-hol, or Chocolate Cool-Whip
Ground Cinnamon
Ginger Crisp Cookie

Cube pound cake to fit into the bottom of your serving dish.  

Scoop Gingerbread ice cream on top of pound cake.  (I used Homestead Creamery Gingerbread Cookie ice cream ... yum). 

Pour Kahlua (I used Cinnamon Spice Kahlua) & Bailey's Irish Cream over your ice cream topped pound cake.

Top with German Chocolate Whip-a-hol (obviously my choice), or chocolate Cool-Whip, and sprinkle with cinnamon.  Garnish with Ginger Crisp cookie as seen in picture above.

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ABSOLUT Folly - Holiday Series - Absolut Christmas Chocolate Truffle

YUM YUM YUM!  Those Absolut Caesars were delicious this morning, but now it is time for some lighter Absolut cocktails as we move into the afternoon hours.  Absolut Christmas Chocolate Truflle is a spectacular cocktail that my niece fell in love with after I created it.  We've have 2-3 already, and I am LOVING IT!  Nothing like unwrapping gifts with an Absolut buzz.  So simple.  So refreshing.  So Absolut!  Bottoms up (hahahaha)!

Absolut Christmas Chocolate Truffle
2 ounces Absolut Vanilia
2 splashes of Crème de Cacao (colorless)
1 white wine glass filled with ice
Fill the rest of the glass with ginger ale

Mix lightly .. and it is going to knock your Christmas slippers off!!  Keep unwrapping!!!!

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ABSOLUT Folly - Holiday Series - Absolut Caesar

Good Morning and Merry Christmas to all of you from the Secret Santa guest cocktail-er!  Traveling internationally has limited the time I have had to check in with delicious Absolut holiday cocktails, but it is not for naught:  I promise to spoil you silly!  It is important not to mistake my busy travels with neglect of Absolut.  No, no, no!  So with whom should you be spending your day today?  With Absolut, of course!  I have my favorite holiday cocktails coming up throughout the day - so lets's get started!

Ever heard of an Absolut Bloody Caesar?  Well, I have adapted it for the United States, which is where most of you probably reside.  Usually, this cocktail is made with Clamato, but we are going to change this up a bit.  If you like Bloody Marys, you'll love the Absolut Bloody Caesar.  Enjoy!

Absolut Bloody Caesar

Fill a 16oz red cup (or equivalent) to the rim with ice.  Very important!
2 oz of Absolut Vodka
4 dashes of Worcestershire sauce
2 dashes of Pete's Hot Sauce
1/4 teaspoon of ground horseradish
1 -2 teaspoons of pickle juice
salt and pepper
Finish filling the cup with Sting Ray Bloody Mary mix!

Stir or roll from glass to glass lightly and garnish with a lemon wedge and celery stalk!  Oh que c'est délicieux!  Bonne journée!

Wait until you see this afternoon's Absolut Cocktails!  OH WOW!   Amazing!

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