The Classic MONTE CARLO Cocktail Recipe

The Monte Carlo is basically a Manhattan that replaces the Manhattan's sweet vermouth with Bénédictine. Bénédictine* is a spiced herbal liqueur with additional flavor notes of honey and licorice. It's the big daddy to the more familiar B&B, a drier version mixed with brandy.
I usually make this with Rittenhouse 100. The nice thing about these classic whiskey cocktails is they can be easily tailored to personal tastes without sacrificing balanced flavor. I happen to enjoy a little spice in my cocktails and the spice notes of the Rittenhouse emphasize the spices of the Bénédictine.

TheMONTE CARLOCocktail 
Ingredients2 Oz. Rye Whiskey1/2 Oz. BénédictineDash Angostura BittersDash Peychaud's Bitters
GarnishCocktail Cherry
DirectionsAdd the ingredients to an Old Fashioned glass filled with ice.Stir for about 30 seconds until well-chilled.Garnish and serve.
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* INTERESTING HISTORICAL FACTOID:Simone Beck, who co-wrote Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Volumes I and II with Julia Child, was part of the Bénédictine family.
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CHERRY POPSICLE MARTINI COCKTAIL RECIPE - A Fairy Cocktale

"Once upon a time in the land of prickly plants and danger noodles the sun was so hot not even cherry boozesicles were safe . . ."
Just a little Fairy Cocktale to bring some fun to these hot and humid last days of summer. That's what happens out here in the desert where it's so hot your Cherry Boozesicles melt before you can enjoy them, you go a little crazy!

So I took that boozesicle recipe, changed it up a bit for giggles then threw it into a cocktail shaker with TONS of ice and served it in my insulated Bubba cups. Take that triple digits temperatures!

TheCHERRY POPSICLEMARTINI
INGREDIENTS2 Oz. Dark Rum3 Oz. Cherry Juice1 Tbsp. Lime JuiceTbsp. Orgeat Syrup1 Dash Mole Bitters
GARNISHCocktail Cherry,Lime Slice

DIRECTIONS

 Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, pour in the ingredients, shake until chilled, strain into a chilled cocktail glass, garnish and serve.

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 ". . . and then the mysterious stranger rode out of town to spread her cocktail magic to all the land."

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The BANANA SPLIT SHOT Cocktail Recipe

My favorite ice cream indulgence all wrapped up in 2 ounces of liquid. Less calories and you get a buzz.
Ah-mazing.

TheBANANA SPLITSHOT
INGREDIENTS1/2 Oz. Whipped Vodka1/2 Oz. Marshmallow Vodka1/2 Oz. Banana Liqueur1/2 Oz. Pineapple Juice
GarnishWhipped CreamChocolate SyrupCocktail CherryChopped Nuts
DIRECTIONSShake ingredients with ice.Pour into a shot glass.Top with whipped cream, chocolate syrup, a cocktail cherry, chopped nuts and serve.
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You might also like myBANANA SPLIT MARTINI
National Banana Day is April 20th, National Banana Split Day is August 25th and Banana Lovers Day is August 27th.
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RASPBERRY TART COCKTAIL Recipe

I made some Raspberry tarts for dessert and had pie crust trimmings left over and kept thinking "these tart ingredients would make for a pretty good cocktail." All I had to do was add some booze, so ....

TheRASPBERRY TARTCOCKTAIL
INGREDIENTS1 Oz. Citrus Vodka1 Oz. Raspberry Schnapps1 Oz. Fresh Lemon Juice1 Dash Lime Bitters1 Dash Orange Bitters
GarnishBaked Pie Crust & Sugar RimRaspberriesLemon Twist
DIRECTIONSRub glass rim with lime wedge then dip in crumbled pie crust and sugar mixture.Shake ingredients with ice.Strain into a chilled coupe.Garnish and serve.
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National Raspberry Tart Day is every August 11th.
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SPICY WATERMELON MARGARITA Cocktail Recipe

Watermelon is in season and this cocktail is my favorite way to use it with tequila. It's frozen and spicy at the same time and perfect for a hot summer happy hour.
I start in the morning by juicing two of those mini, seedless watermelons and those will provide enough juice for 4 drinks. Then I pickle the rinds for my garnish. At happy hour I'll sprinkle Tajin on the remaining pickled watermelon and serve it with the margarita and some guacamole and chips. Heaven.

TheSPICY WATERMELONMARGARITA 
Ingredients1-1/2 Oz. Tequila(I prefer Reposado for this margarita)1/4 Oz. Cointreau2 Oz. Fresh Watermelon Juice1 Oz. Fresh Lime Juice2 Dashes Hot SaucePinch of Sea Salt
GarnishTajin Powder & Sugar Rim,Pickled Watermelon Rind(Alton Brown's Recipe)
DirectionsJuice 2 mini watermelons, chill juice.Pickle the leftover rinds.Rub the rim of a cocktail glass with lime then dip in a combination of 1 teaspoon of Tajin and 1 tablespoon of sugar.Add ingredients to a blender with 1/2 cup of ice, blend until smooth then pour into a margarita glass, garnish and serve.
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P.S. How to pick a ripe, sweet watermelon

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PEACH MELBA MARTINI Cocktail Recipe

Peach Melba is a classic dessert created by August Escoffier for the Australian opera singer, Dame Nellie Melba. It's a combination of peaches on vanilla ice cream with a Raspberry Coulee (sauce) topped with slivered almonds.
Sadly, it has gone out of vogue as a preferred dessert and that's really a shame because it's absolutely delicious. It's even better as a cocktail. Tart raspberries and sweet, juicy peaches are a beautifully balanced combination complemented by creamy vanilla ice cream and the nutty crunch of toasted almonds and I've done just that below.

ThePEACH MELBAMARTINI
INGREDIENTS1 Oz. Peach Vodka1 Oz. Whipped Cream Vodka1/2 C. Peach Puree1 Oz. Half & Half1/2 Cup Ice
Garnish: Chopped Toasted Almonds on Rim, Whipped Cream, Chambord, Peach Slice, Fresh Raspberries
DIRECTIONSDip the glass rim in Chambord then into the chopped almonds. Chill glass in freezer.Shake the ingredients in a cocktail shaker until chilled.Pour into your chilled cocktail glass.Top with whipped cream.Add the peach slice and a few raspberries, drizzle on 1 ounce of Chambord and serve.
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National Peach Melba Day is January 13th and Peach Month is August.
YOU MIGHT ALSO ENJOY MYPEACH MELBA BEER FLOAT

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