Baltimore Beverages for Super Bowl XLVII

As you may have read in some of my earlier posts on Cocktail Culture, I am a NY Giants fan. While I am, of course, deeply saddened by their inability to make the Super Bowl (let alone the playoffs) I am excited that the Baltimore Ravens will have a chance at winning it all! This may seem unorthodox for a Giants fan, but I went to college in Baltimore and after living there for four years, I love Charm City, and I will be rooting for Baltimore this Sunday!

Since I unfortunately can’t be in Baltimore for the Super Bowl (don’t feel too bad, I was in Baltimore when the Ravens beat the Patriots last Sunday and it was fabulous) I’m going to try to bring Baltimore to me.  In one of my previous posts from this summer: “Crab cakes and football”…and Crushes, I wrote about a trip to Baltimore that involved lots of Orange (and other flavored) Crushes. Both crab cakes and Crushes will definitely be making an appearance at my Super Bowl gathering this Sunday, along with Old Bay to season my fries and wings, and of course some Berger Cookies for dessert.

Here’s a recipe for an Orange Crush:

• 1 part Absolut Mandarin
• 1 part Hiram Walker Triple Sec
• 1 part Fresh squeezed Orange Juice
• Splash of Lemon-Lime Soda
• Orange slice garnish

Enjoy and Go Baltimore!

Downtown Baltimore after winning the AFC Championship! Photo courtesy of D. Zanzero!

-KJ

Friday Feature Cocktail: Lovely Lychee

My wonderful coworker informed me that tomorrow is Australia Day! While I (unfortunately) have never been to Australia, I have many friends who have visited and fell in love with it down there, which makes me an Aussie fan by default. Because of their trips I have also heard countless stories and seen enough sky diving videos and kangaroo photos to feel like I’ve been there myself.

In honor of Australia day I’m featuring a Jacob’s Creek cocktail, the Lovely Lychee.

Lovely Lychee:

• 1 1/2 oz. Lychee juice, nectar, or puree
• 1 oz. fresh orange juice
• 3 oz. Jacob’s Creek Moscato

Directions: In a wine glass, add all ingredients over ice, and stir. Garnish with an orange slice and floating blueberries

Happy Australia Day!

Cheers Mates 🙂

KJ

Winter Warmers (Part II)

Early on in the Cocktail Culture archives you will find a lovely post of a Winter Warmer recipe. With the zero degree weather settling in and the cold wind howling outside, I thought it necessary to dig up some more winter cocktails to warm me up until the cold finally passes…only two more months until the first day of spring!

Warm drinks like tea, hot chocolate and hot apple cider all work wonders at warming me up during the winter months, and they work even better when spiked with your favorite booze!

Cinnful Apple

• 2 parts Hiram Walker® Original Cinn Cinnamon Schnapps
• 5 parts hot apple cider

Whiskey is also a go-to choice of mine when looking for a cocktail to help me fend off Old Man Winter.

Cheri Loughlin’s Winter Slumber creation

Winter slumber – Recipe and photo courtesy of Cheri Loughlin, Intoxicoligist

• 1 part Jameson Whiskey
• 1/2 part Hiram Walker Pumpkin Spice Liqueur
• 1/4 part Chai
• 1-1/2 part Heavy Whipping Cream
• Cinnamon & Sugar for Rim Garnish

Place liquids in a cocktail shaker with ice.  Shake to blend and chill.  Strain into a cocktail glass rimmed with cinnamon and sugar. 

Try to stay warm everyone and enjoy!

-KJ

Midnight Madness

In November 2012 Kahlua introduced its newest innovation, Kahlua Midnight. Kahlua Midnight is a 70 proof mix of rum and black coffee liqueur intended to be served chilled as a shot for a night out on the town or at home with friends. I’ve been known to be somewhat of a night owl, I have been for as long as I can remember, but everyone has been in that position before when you’re out at a bar or club and the night is starting off a little slow (if you say you’ve never been there before, I’d like to come to your next party). With its sweet smooth taste, and a little jolt from the coffee, Kahlua Midnight is the perfect choice to take your party or night out to the next level, and celebrate what night owls like myself love: midnight!

Midnight Birthday Party

• 1 Part Kahlua Midnight
• 1 Part Hiram Walker Whipped
• Whipped Cream & Sprinkles

Shake with ice and strain into shot glass. Top with Whipped Cream and Sprinkles.

Enjoy!

-KJ

Friday Feature Cocktail: Jameson Whirlaway

The first full week of work after the holidays is finally over, and I’m ready to relax and unwind from the busy work week with a nice refreshing cocktail. With the icy cold temperatures outside, and the chilly winter breeze, I’m in the mood for a nice whiskey drink to warm me up.

The inclusion of club soda and White Peach Schnapps in the Jameson Whirlaway makes for a light and refreshing addition to the classic taste of Jameson Irish Whiskey.

Jameson Whirlaway

• 2 parts Jameson® Irish Whiskey
• 1 part Hiram Walker® White Peach Schnapps
• Dash Bitters
• Splash of Club Soda

Mix all ingredients except Club Soda in a shaker with cracked ice. Pour into a tumbler and top with club soda.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Enjoy

-KJ

A Bubbly Cocktail for National Bubble Bath Day

So I just found out today that yesterday was National Bubble Bath Day! Since I love bubble baths, I decided I want to celebrate this wonderful holiday, even if I am a day late. Bubble baths (to me) are the definition of relaxation: light some candles, get some tunes playing, grab a great book, and of course enjoy a nice cocktail. It doesn’t get much better than that folks!

I found in our lovely Cocktail Culture archives a recipe for a Sparkling Original Cinn Punch. This sweet and sparkling creation will warm you up on a cold winter night, but is also refreshing enough to enjoy when soaking in a hot bath. The recipe creates multiple servings, but I plan on scaling down the recipe so the punch can be a single serve cocktail!

Sparkling Original Cinn Punch

• 1 (750 ml) bottle Hiram Walker Original Cinn cinnamon schnapps
• 2 (750 ml) bottles of sparkling apple cider
• 1/2 (1L) bottle of spiced rum

Add all ingredients to a punch bowl with large ice block, adding sparkling apple cider just before serving. Garnish punch bowl with sliced apples. Sprinkle ground cinnamon on top of each individiual glass.

Happy belated Bubble Bath Day and enjoy some relaxation 🙂

-KJ

Friday Feature Cocktail: Hot Toddy

Hiram Walker Hot Cinn Apple Toddy

It is now 2013 and so far all the New Year has brought me is a new pesky cold that does not want to leave me alone. Luckily, it’s Friday and I plan to enjoy some rest and relaxation all weekend long. I also plan to enjoy a nice Hot Toddy to soothe my throat from the lovely coughing that won’t seem to stop. My grandmother always suggested drinking a Hot Toddy as a cure for the cold, and right now I’m willing to try anything, especially if it’s a cocktail!

For a traditional Hot Toddy here is a Jameson Hot Toddy recipe, courtesy of JamesonWhisky.com

• 3 parts Jameson
• 2 parts lemon juice
• 1 part honey
• 4 parts hot water
• 2-3 cloves
• Lemon slice

Method: Pour all ingredients into a mug or glass with a handle, stir until the honey is dissolved, drop in the cloves and garnish with a thin slice of lemon.

For a sweeter spin on the classic Hot Toddy you can try out a Hot Cinn Apple Toddy:

• 1 ½ parts Bourbon
• 1 ½ parts Hiram Walker Original Cinn Schnapps
• 1.2 oz fresh squeezed lemon juice
• 1 tsp agave nectar
• Hot apple cider
• Green apple slice dipped in hot caramel or cinnamon stick for garnish

Pour the bourbon, schnapps and lemon juice into an Irish coffee glass or mug. Stir well. Fill with hot apple cider. Garnish with the green apple or a cinnamon stick.  

As a disclaimer I would like to point out to you all that I am not doctor (nor am I even close to being a doctor) and if you really are sick I always recommend seeking professional advice. Also, if you are already taking any cold medicine to remedy your cold, I do not recommend mixing those cold medicines with alcohol!!!

Hope you have a happy and healthy weekend!

Enjoy 🙂

-KJ