Raspberry Lemon Drop

Last night, I was kicking around ideas for a new drink. I really enjoy Lemon Drops, and I really enjoy raspberry lemonade, so I thought it might be good to mix the flavors.

This is what I came up with.

Raspberry Lemon Drop
3/4 oz Absolut Citron Vodka
3/4 oz Effen Raspberry Vodka
3/4 oz Simple Syrup
1/2 oz Cointreau Orange Liqueur
1 lemon

Combine all ingredients in a stainless cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously until shaker is frosty. Strain into martini glass.

The Lemon Drop

Any bartender can combine cheap ingredients and pre-made mixes. But if you want to make incredible drinks people really enjoy, you need to start with good quality ingredients.

A little high school chemistry never hurt, either.

The Lemon Drop is a drink that is routinely desecrated with bottom-shelf vodka and sour mix. If you've spent any time on my drinks blog posts, you'll find that I favor drinkability and flavor over just about everything else.

This is no different.

Lemon Drop
1 1/2 oz Belvedere Vodka
3/4 oz Caravella Limoncello
-or-
2 oz Absolut Citron Vodka
1/4 oz Caravella Limoncello

3/4 oz simple syrup
1/2 oz Cointreau Orange Liqueur
1 fresh-squeezed lemon

Rim either an old-fashioned or martini glass with the squeezed lemon and dip in sugar. Combine the spirits and fresh-squeezed lemon in a metal shaker full of ice. Shake until the canister is frosty and strain into the glass. Garnish with a lemon wedge.

If the drink is too strong, you can add a splash of club soda without affecting the flavor.

Best Damn White Russian. Ever.

A few months ago, I posted this most excellent recipe for a White Russian.

This one is even better.

The Dude would be proud.

Best Damn White Russian
2 oz Kahlua Coffee Liqueur
1 oz Stoli Vanil (vanilla Vodka)
2 oz Bailey's Irish Cream
1 oz milk or cream

Add all ingredients to a double-old fashioned glass with ice. Stir gently and enjoy.

Fuzzy Navels for All

Here's a drink that's a crowd pleaser at just about any get-together. In fact, here's the same drink three different ways.

Fuzzy Navel - Original Recipe
1 1/2 oz DeKuyper Peach Tree Schnapps
Pulp-free orange juice

Add ice to a collins or highball glass. Pour in peach schnapps. Top off with orange juice and stir.

Since most schnapps aren't very high proof, this drink isn't very strong. It does have a good flavor, though, which counts for something.

Fuzzy Navel - Bar Recipe
1 1/2 oz DeKuyper Peach Tree Schnapps
1/2 oz vodka
Pulp-free orange juice

Add ice to a collins or highball glass. Pour in peach schnapps and vodka. Top off with orange juice and stir.

This is the typical recipe that you'll get at a bar. It's got a little more kick to it, but depending on the vodka used, sometimes comes off a little sharp.

Fuzzy Navel - Top Shelf
1 1/2 oz DeKuyper Peach Tree Schnapps
1/2 oz Cointreau orange liqueur
1/2 oz vodka
Pulp-free orange juice

Add ice to a collins or highball glass. Pour in peach schnapps, Cointreau, and vodka. Top off with orange juice and stir.

This is my own recipe. It's packs even more punch, but since Cointreua is such an easy sipper, it's much more subtle. The Cointreau really blends well with the schnapps and creates a most excellent drink, in my opinion.

Mix and enjoy.

Chocolate Martini

A great meal is in need of a great dessert drink.

This is that drink.

Chocolate Martini
2 1/2 oz Bailey's Irish Cream
1 1/2 oz Stolichnya Vanilla Vodka
1 oz Godiva Chocolate Liqueur or Crème de Cacao
Splash of milk or half and half

Rim a chilled martini glass with milk and then roll the rim in a good powdered hot chocolate. Tip the glass up and drizzle chocolate syrup on the inside. Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously 10-12 times and strain into glass. Garnish with a shaved piece of chocolate.

New White Russian on the Block

It's been a while since I've posted a new recipe (or a twist on an old one). Out of one the normal ingredients (whole milk or cream), I substituted and came up with this delightful blend:

New White Russian
2 oz Kahlua Coffee Liqueur
1/2 oz vodka
1 oz Bailey's Irish Cream
2 oz Silk Soy Milk

Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake a couple of times, but not too much; it's not supposed to be a frothy drink. Strain into a double old-fashioned glass with a few cracked ice cubes.

It's creamy, coffee goodness. And, with Silk, it's a little less of a calorie hit than cream or whole milk. ;-)

Because you know me. Concerned about health and all.

Cosmopolitans

After a long day, a good drink is a great way to unwind. Traditional Cosmos are pretty stout drinks. I'm more of a lover of flavor over potency, so I make mine a smidgen different, but it results in a much more palatable drink that you can sip all night long.

Classy Cosmopolitan
1 oz Cointreau orange liqueur
1 oz Belvedere vodka
1/2 oz fresh-squeezed lime
2 oz cranberry juice

Combine all ingredients with ice. Shake and strain into a martini glass.

For those of you looking for a more "standard" or "traditional" cosmopolitian, here's a good recipe. A cosmopolitian is actually a pink-ish drink. Less red means more alcohol, so a real cosmopolitian will sit you down in a hurry.

Cosmopolitan
3 oz Absolut Citron
1 oz Cointreau orange liqueur
1 oz cranberry juice
Splash of lime juice

Combine all ingredients with ice. Shake and strain into a martini glass.

Make it "your own" by adding or subtracting ingredients. As always, let me know what you've tried and how it's worked.