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: Snowy Cranberry Martini

I don't know about you, but I can't keep up this holiday season!  Decking the halls, buying, wrapping, visiting, and this marathon cold I can't shake ... it can all get so overwhelming (and cause serious lapses between blog posts).  Thank goodness for good friends and good booze to help take that edge off all of that, as well as helping manage the added face-time with family too!  This week, my stunningly handsome and fabulously gifted friend Jeff has provided the inspiration for the 'Drink of the Moment'; one gift that will keep on giving.  I hope you enjoy!

Snowy Cranberry Martini   
2oz of your favorite vodka (I used Stoli) 
1 1/2 oz white cranberry juice
Splash of club soda or Perrier 
Lime wedge, fresh cranberries, & powdered sugar for garnish


Vigorously shake vodka and cranberry juice with ice in a shaker.  Pour into a glass rimmed with lime juice & powdered sugar (unless you have a better way to achieve the look of snow); top with a splash of club soda or Perrier.  Garnish with fresh cranberries and lime wedge.  Festive!


And for those of you who like a little variation on a theme ...

The Yellow Snowy Cranberry Martini
2oz of your favorite vodka (I used Stoli)
1oz white cranberry juice 
1/2 oz fresh lime juice
Splash of club soda or Perrier
Lime wedge, fresh cranberries, & powdered sugar for garnish


Vigorously shake vodka, cranberry juice, and lime juice with ice in a shaker.  Pour into a glass rimmed with lime juice & powdered sugar; top with a splash of club soda or Perrier.  Garnish with fresh cranberries and lime wedge.

If you like what you see, let me know!  Just click the 'Join This Site' button at the top right of the homepage to make sure you have a drink for every moment.

Drink of the Moment: In a Pickle

This week, I had been working on a lovely little spiced pear beverage for the 'Drink of the Moment' to kick off the fall season.  As life would have it though, I couldn't seem to get the pear drink tweaked *just* right, and found myself in a bit of a pickle.  Musing on what direction I should go in next, I ended up hitting that proverbial wall.  Of course, what's the best thing to do when you hit a wall like this?  Hit the liquor store, of course!

Although I'm unfortunately still on a quest to find the whole pear thing I was looking for at the store, I did find something else that certainly caught my eye.  As things would have it, there was a tasting in the good ole Va ABC this evening, and thanks to this good fortune, I am able to share with you the 'Naked Jay Dirty Pickle Martini'.  Yes folks, you heard me.  There is now a dill pickle flavored vodka, and not only is it great for all of your double entendre needs, but it is made right up the road  from me in Reston, VA, and is SHOCKINGLY good.  As in, I can actually drink it straight.  (Hey, don't judge).  On top of that, it's exceptionally well priced at $14.95/750mL bottle compared to the Stoli Gold that is my go-to, and it seems that even those that are less than thrilled to try it (namely Jay, who I think only gave it a go based on the name of the brand) turn out to like it.  So, what are you waiting for?  Go grab yourself some of this most fantastic pickle flavored vodka, and make yourself a drink out of what is sure to the the next 'BIG DILL'!! (I really kill myself sometimes).

'The Dirty Pickle Martini'

2 oz Naked Jay Dill Pickle vodka

1/2 oz dry vermouth (I used my gold standard 'Noilly Pratt')

1/4 oz olive juice

Combine in a shaker with ice, shake vigorously.  Pour into glass and garnish with a dill pickle slice.

Can't find this vodka in your local store?  Check out the website by clicking here to find out where to buy, or let them know that your regular store is sorely lacking!

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If you like what you see, let me know!  Just click the 'Join This Site' button at the top right of the homepage to make sure you have a drink for every moment.

Drink of the Moment: Stoli Doli

Monument Avenue

One of the things I like most about living in Richmond VA is the Easter Parade that occurs every year on Monument Avenue.  A large stretch of the historic street is closed down, the median is filled with vendors and exhibits.  There are parties at all of the grand historic homes, and there is a parade of people going up and down both sides of the street in their Easter best.  It's all so traditionally southern with the massive houses, civil war monuments, and Sunday hats; and yet slightly hokey with the outrageously decorated dogs and Easter bonnet contests that it's absolutely amazing.  Everyone that lives nearby either has an Easter brunch party to attend, or is holding one themselves, and of course has a tasty spring beverage in hand.  My personal standby for the last decade has been 'The Stoli Doli'.

Before vodka came in the myriad of flavors that are readily available today, one was left to their own devices to mix things up a bit.  Even today with flavored vodkas on shelves everywhere, there is still something that makes it way more special and just seems a little better when done yourself.  In this case, not only are you getting your own 'personally crafted' vodka, but its super easy too.

Stoli Doli

1 750ml bottle Stolichnaya vodka         

1 whole Dole pineapple

Fruit punch or fruit juice (optional)

Cut and core your pineapple (into cubes if you're so inclined), and place it in a large jar or covered pitcher.  Pour the entire bottle of vodka over the pineapple, seal, and let it sit for at least 24 hours and up to 4 days.  Serve up with a splash of pineapple juice, or mix with fruit punch or your favorite fruit juice.

I usually cube my pineapple (to make it easy to use as garnish later) and mix with a fruit punch just because I like a pink drink on Easter, but this is absolutely amazing just by itself.  Keep in mind that the longer that pineapple soaks, the more infused the vodka will become so you can really make it to taste.  Just be careful with your consumption, as they do pack a bit of a punch.  We wouldn't want any kids to find you in the bushes instead of the the easter eggs they're looking for!

HAPPY EASTER!!!

Drink of the Moment: Dirty Vodka Martini, My Dirty Little Secret

What day isn't a dirty martini kind of day?  Well in my opinion, not many, but I knew today had far surpassed the beer threshold by 9am, and I was going to need my comfort cocktail (or more) before all was said and done.  The winter-like temps over the weekend make this even more appealing to curl up with like a warm blanket.  Not sure exactly why I enjoy this drink so much - I'd say it's my signature cocktail, maybe it's because of it's nice savory flavor (like an olive tapas plate or something), or maybe it's quick to make the worries melt away.  Who knows, but whatever magic it is that makes this my happy drink, I'm about to share my 'dirty little secret' with you now.

My (Favorite)Dirty Martini
(courtesy of John Barrar)


2 oz Stolichnaya Gold vodka
1 oz olive brine (preferably from a jar of olives)
1/2 oz Noilly Pratt dry vermouth
Whole olives (I prefer the extra large ones, or even stuffed ones sometimes for an added depth of flavor)

Shake extremely vigorously for about 30 seconds with ice, and pour into your favorite martini glass.  Garnish with olives, and let the day melt away.

Pretty low maintenance, huh?  I've had martinis in all sorts of places, made all sorts of ways (believe it or not, there is a lot that can go wrong with just 3 ingredients), and after actual taste tests between them, this one is the champ.  So what makes this one so different from the others?  Because there are so few flavors, it really boils down to the quality and specifics of those that are actually there.  There are 3 things to note in this recipe.  1) I am very specific about the types of ingredients that go into this cocktail - I know everyone has their favorite brands, but these are the ones that I've found combine together for my most optimal beverage experience.  I have even had die-hard fans of other vodkas (quite nice ones too) cave to the smoothness that you get with the Stoli Gold in this particular drink.  It really does make that much difference.  2) I use vermouth - I know you can make a pretty bang on dirty martini without the vermouth, and for years that was my preference as I had only tried using extra dry vermouth and found it to be horrible.  There is something about the dry vermouth that works amazingly well though, and actually compliments the cocktail instead of killing it.  I still drink martinis without it no problem; this is just my favorite way to drink them.  3) Shaking the drink hard enough is very important - no one likes a warm drink unless it's supposed to be warm.  Since this drink is served up, it's best when shaken hard enough so you get the little ice chips floating in the top of the glass. That keeps it much colder and crisper while you sip and proceed to get warmer and fuzzier. 

So, that's more than enough writing for now.  I've got places to go, people to see, and cocktails to consume!

Cheers!

Drink(s) of the Moment

Ask anyone that knows me, in a certain setting, what I'm having to drink, and without hesitation they will tell you that it's either an extra dirty Stoli martini served up, or a pint of Guinness (if I'm feeling like something a little more subtle).  Recently though, I've been getting an itch to find some new and more interesting alternatives to mix things up a bit, which brings me to what I'll call my 'Drink(s) of the Moment.'

I suppose if this were a few years ago, I could do something exciting like a 'You Buy It, I'll Try It' thing, where I would probably end up with some seriously interesting bar stories that I wouldn't even be able to relay in full due to brief blackouts from what I'm sure some of those drinks might contain.  Since this is not a few years ago though, and I do truly enjoy having Jay in my life, I've been doing a little experimenting for myself with our own personal 'bar'.  While this may seem a little less exciting than a story about some random night out ending with me asleep on the floor somewhere; it should actually be more exciting for you because I remember everything I need to relay here (at least for the most part), AND I can share the recipes!

Here are my current 'drinks of the moment' worth sharing:

The Rumchata Black Russian

You may remember that Rumchata was one of my Favorite Five this month, and if you typically like a White Russian, then you'll love the twist the Rumchata gives this 'Black' Russian.  It will knock your socks off in more ways than one.

Ingredients (Serves: 1)

1 part Rumchata

1 part Kahlua

1 part Vodka (I used Stoli Gold)

Mix

Shake and pour into a rocks glass over ice.

Have a sip, and smile.  :)

The Tomato-Politan Martini

A yummy savory martini that I think would be fabulous at brunch, or you could throw caution to the wind and bring a whole new meaning to the term ' ladies who lunch.'  The pickle juice surprisingly gave a wonderful dimension to the drink. 

Ingredients 

(Serves: 2)

8 ounces of your favorite vodka (again, I used Stoli Gold) 

4 Tablespoons of tomato juice 

1 teaspoon of green hot sauce (like Tabasco Jalapeno)

Juice of one medium lemon

2 Tablespoons of pickle juice

Pickles for garnish.

Mix

Pour the vodka into a shaker 1/2 full of ice.

Add the hot sauce and shake for a bit.

Let the shaker rest for a moment, and then add the tomato and lemon juices.

Give it another few shakes and then strain into a well chilled glass

Top each drink with 1 Tablespoon of pickle juice, garnish with a slice of pickle, and enjoy!

Let me know what you think, and if you have any new ideas you'd like to have 'tested', by all means send them in!