As we launch ‘Christmas Cheer’, our new holiday-themed version of MixMentor, I decided to throw a wee little party of my own (any excuse for a party)!! Come along and cozy up with some of the drinks that are in ‘MixMentor Christmas Cheer’ and then download it (link at bottom of post)!
The holidays always provide the perfect excuse for overeating and overimbibing and this holiday season, I do not plan to disappoint!
Firstly, ‘The Grinch’! I actually had this recipe in my Dr. Seuss birthday newsletter, but most likely few of you saw that so here it is again!!
The Grinch
2 oz melon liqueur
1/2 oz lemon juice
1 tsp simple syrup
Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice, shake well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Garnish with a maraschino cherry if desired.
Comments: We served this at a dinner party and the results were split between those who thought it was perfect and those who thought it was a bit too sweet. I quite like the flavour of this drink and find the almost neon colour gives it a quirky, somewhat fanciful quality. Dr. Seuss would have certainly considered this one ‘fun’.
Tasting Notes: lemon juice does a very good job of tempering the sweetness from the liqueur; not actually that sweet (certainly not cloying, by any means)
Secondly, ‘White Christmas Dream’, an absolutely gorgeous martini cocktail!!
White Christmas Dream
1 oz amaretto
1 oz heavy cream
1 oz vodka
Add all ingredients into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with freshly grated nutmeg, if desired.
Comments: It would make for a perfect dessert substitute, but if you don’t like sweet and creamy ice cream style flavours, this isn’t the drink for you. I however, loved the pants off it :).
Tasting Notes: very rich, creamy and smooth, ‘like a melted boozy vanilla ice cream’
Lastly, one cannot celebrate Christmas without a Christmas shooter, so here is the ‘Candy Cane Shooter’!!
Candy Cane Shooter
1/2 oz grenadine
1/2 oz crème de menthe
1/2 oz peppermint schnapps
Layer the ingredients in the order as listed, using a spoon to slowly add each ingredient.
Comments: You absolutely, absolutely, absolutely have to shoot this drink as otherwise you are left with a mouthful of pure grenadine at the end (ick). I speak from experience!
Tasting Notes: aptly named, as tastes like a candy cane and looks like a candy cane