An Adult Version of the S'MORES COCKTAIL

Everybody and their uncle has a S'Mores cocktail, it's one of those sweet drinks that appeals to the inner child in all of us. But sweet is kind of the whole flavor profile magilla in most recipes so today I'm going to create a s'mores cocktail recipe with the adult palate in mind.

Yes, I used chocolate liqueur and sweet marshmallow vodka, you kinda have to, but I'm using Pinnacle Vodka's Marshmallow Vodka which actually does have the flavor of marshmallows. I do have a chocolate coated graham cracker crust rim, but I mixed that with a bit of the Smoked Bourbon Salt that I used in the recipe which brings in that smoky campfire quality. Then I added a few dashes of The Bitter Truth's chocolate Xocolatl Mole Bitters to bring in a little spiciness that appeals to mature taste buds. Both can be found at Amazon (see links below).
It's time the S'More Cocktail grew up, right?

An Adult Version of the S'MORES COCKTAIL
INGREDIENTS 1 Oz. Pinnacle Marshmallow Vodka 1/2 Oz. Bourbon 1 Oz. Dark Cream de Cacao 1 Oz.  Half & Half Pinch of Bourbon Smoked Sea Salt (You can use Alderwood Smoked Sea Salt instead.) 2 Dashes The Bitter Truth's Xocolatl Mole Bitters  Ice
Garnish: Mini Marshmallows, Crushed Chocolate Covered Graham Crackers, Chocolate Syrup
Tools: Cocktail Shaker, 2 Small Plates for rimming
Optional Special Tools: Votive candle, Barbecue Skewers, Lighter
Glass: Old Fashioned
DIRECTIONS Skewer several mini marshmallows onto the skewers and set aside. Dip the rim of the glass in some chocolate syrup and then into the crushed graham crackers. Chill glass in the freezer. Shake ingredients with ice in a cocktail shaker, strain into an ice filled chilled glass. Garnish and serve.
VOICEOVER VIDEO WITH INGREDIENTS AND DIRECTIONS:

Fun Garnish Tips:Dip several of the mini marshmallows in chocolate syrup and then into the graham cracker and salt mixture.
Have your guests toast their own marshmallows over votive candles for their own drink. Make sure you are cautious when dealing with flames and alcohol!

If you want something swifter, simpler and sweeter try my

S'MORES SHOOTER

National  S'Mores Day is August 10th.

Updated 8-2021 PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY

GRILLED PINEAPPLE MEZCAL MARGARITA SLUSHY

It's hot here in Tucson. Hot and muggy from the monsoon season.  You know what that means?
Time for a
GRILLED PINEAPPLE MEZCAL MARGARITA SLUSHY

INGREDIENTS 1-1/2 Oz. El Buho Mezcal 1/2 C. Chopped, Grilled Pineapple 3/4 Oz. Fresh Lime Juice 3/4 Oz. Fresh Grilled Pineapple Juice 3/4 oz. Cilantro Syrup (Recipe below) 2 Dashes Cholula Chipotle Sauce 1 Cup Crushed Ice
Garnish: Pineapple Spear, Cilantro Sprig, Dusting of Smoked Paprika
Special Tools: Grill, Blender
DIRECTIONS Prep: Prepare the Cilantro Simple Syrup recipe below. Trim pineapple, remove core, slice into spears. Grease the grill then get the coals red hot. Grill pineapple slices until caramelized, about 5 minutes per side. Chill pineapple in the fridge. Juice enough of the pineapple spears for the juice (3/4 ounce) for each cocktail.
For the cocktail: Blend the ingredients until smooth, pour into a chilled glass, add a straw, garnish and serve up with some crispy beef and cheese taquitos!
CILANTRO SIMPLE SYRUP Note: I used the stems of the cilantro, not the leaves. Why? Because the stems have just as much flavor and most people throw them away and waste them. You're going to strain out the cilantro, so why waste the leaves that you can use for other recipes when the stems work just as well? (P.S. I also make cilantro oil and pestos with the stems!)

INGREDIENTS 1 C. Sugar 3/4 C. Water 1/2 Cup Fresh Cilantro Stems
Tools: Small saucepan, medium strainer
DIRECTIONS In a small saucepan, add the sugar and water and heat until the sugar is dissolved. When the sugar is dissolved, remove your pan from the heat and add the chopped cilantro stems. I like to gently muddle them with a wooden spoon to sqeeze out more of the oils.
Cool the syrup then strain through a fine-mesh strainer. Discard the stems. The syrup will keep for up to 2 weeks in the fridge.

Updated 6-2018 PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY

ROOT BEER FLOAT COCKTAILS

Thanks to the onset of root beer flavored ales, there are several ways of making an easy root beer float cocktail. You can simply add a scoop of vanilla ice cream to any root beer flavored beer. Not complicated but not all that interesting either.   Another option? Back in the seventies we used to drop a jigger of root beer schnapps right into a pint of regular beer for an alcoholic root beer treat and all you'd have to do is add a scoop of ice cream to that. Pretty darn sweet, but it works as well.   However, my favorite root beer cocktail is this version. Thanks to the addition of some bitters it is less sweet and has way more depth of flavor.  

The ROOT BEER FLOAT MARTINI
Ingredients: 1-1/2 Oz. Vodka 1 Oz. Root Beer Schnapps 1 Scoop Vanilla Ice Cream 2 Dashes Chocolate Bitters   Directions: Shake the vodka, root beer schnapps and bitters with ice until chilled. Add the scoop of ice cream to your chilled glass. Strain the chilled vodka and root beer vodka over the ice cream. Add a spoon and straw then serve.   TheROOT BEET FLOATCOCKTAIL: Simply switch to a highball or Collins glass, fill with ice and top the chilled vodka, root beer schnapps and chocolate bitters with some actual root beer just before adding the ice cream.(I prefer to add the ice cream at the end because adding it before the root beer creates too much soda foam.)
VOICEOVER VIDEO WITH INGREDIENTS AND DIRECTIONS:

  National Root Beer Float Day is August 6th.  
Updated 8-2021 PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY  

RASPBERRY CAKE COCKTAIL

It's been a while since I have done a cake inspired cocktail, but National Raspberry Cake Day has come around again and I figured it was about time to give it a cocktail nod.
Having Driscoll's wonderful raspberries on sale this week didn't hurt either. I'm very partial to Driscoll's berries and scoop them up every time I get a chance. I love putting berries in salads, I love them as snacks and in smoothies but I did manage to save a few for this cocktail.

RASPBERRY CAKE COCKTAIL
INGREDIENTS 1 Oz. Raspberry Vodka 1 Oz. Chambord 1/2 Oz. Cake Vodka 1/4 Oz. Fresh Lemon Juice 1 Dash of Bitter Truth Lemon Bitters Ice
Garnish: Fresh Raspberries
Tools: Cocktail Shaker, Strainer
Glass: Cocktail (Martini) or Coupe
DIRECTIONS Chill the glass in the freezer. Combine the ingredients in a cocktail shaker, shake until chilled. Strain into the chilled glass, garnish and serve.
VOICEOVER VIDEO WITH INGREDIENTS AND DIRECTIONS:

July 31st is National Raspberry Cake Day.

Updated 7-2021 PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY

JUNK (aka FAST) FOOD INSPIRED COCKTAILS

JUNK FOOD: Food containing low nutritional value, high levels of calories, sugar, fat, salt and chemical food additives.

FAST FOOD: Food that can be prepared quickly and easily and is sold in drive through restaurants and snack bars as a quick meal or to be taken out.

Although Michael Jacobson, co-founder of the Centre for Science in the Public Interest which was founded in the early 1970's, is most often the person credited with the term "junk food", an article in the Ogden, Utah, Standard-Examiner headlined, "Dr. Brady’s Health Column: More Junk Than Food" appeared in 1948. Either way, this puts the proliferation of junk food smack dab in the middle of the 20th century when "convenience" and "fast" food made it's debut.
I'm not one to judge, but let's face it, if it's wrapped in a greasy bag with a cartoon or logo on it or you drove up to a window to get it, it's probably junk food. I was not immune to the siren call of addictive, quick foods that came in greasy bags. I confess, during the eighties, when I was working 18 hour days, my dog, Shadow, actually thought she was going to get a french fry when I drove up to the bank window to make a deposit.
I have so many junk food inspired cocktails I'm a little embarrassed. My only excuse is I grew up in the era that introduced America to fast/junk food. Before my life time there was no such thing as TV dinners, McDonald's, Taco Bell, pizza chains,  nachos, instant noodles or sour gummy candies. For some reason, after World War II, America became obsessed with instant gratification, and that included instant aka "fast" aka "junk" food. Baby boomers wanted it all and wanted it now. All those food holidays are children of the baby boom as well.
Mea culpa for my era. But if it's any consolation, my entire generation is also obsessed with dieting, blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease. These days both myself and my little furry wingmen are on healthier diets, with only occasional forays into the Dark World of Drive-up Fries & Donuts.
I make my concessions, and confessions, at happy hour. I believe on moderation in all things, including junk food.
JUNK FOOD (Fast food Inspired) COCKTAILS BOOZY SLUSHIES, SHAKES, FLOATS BROWNIE MARTINI CAKE COCKTAILS CANDY COCKTAILS CHEESECAKE COCKTAILS CHEESY DOODLE MARTINI CHERRY COLA MARTINI COOKIE COCKTAILS HOT BUTTERED POPCORN SHOOTER ICE CREAM COCKTAILS JELLY FILLED DONUT MARTINI ORANGE JULIUS MARTINI PIE COCKTAILS  PIZZA COCKTAILS
No, you're not getting a link to my Chocolate Cocktails here. I have never, and never will, consider chocolate junk food.

Updated 7-2018

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EDIBLE CHAMPAGNE CAVIAR COCKTAILS aka Caviar Jello Shots

CHAMPAGNE & CAVIAR EDIBLE COCKTAILS Champagne Wishes & Caviar Dreams in One Bite of Booze
This CHAMPAGNE AND CAVIAR EDIBLE COCKTAIL GEL was inspired by the 1980's Robin Leach program "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" where he always signed off with the catchphrase "Champagne Wishes and Caviar Dreams". It was program filled with the uber-wealthy and the excesses of the filthy rich. Yes, the eighties were a decade of decadence and flash and "greed is good".
Greed is not so good and decadence is reserved for a very lucky few these days, but that's no reason not to visit luxury every once in a while. These little savory bites of Champagne infused caviar can transport you to a lifestyle of the rich and famous, if only for a short period of time.

Both Champagne and caviar can be bought in a wide range of prices but in this case I used American Sturgeon Caviar which retails at about $60 an ounce and a nice bottle of Iron Horse Brut which ran me about $40. Keep in mind that the Iron Horse is not technically a Champagne as it is not from the Champagne region of France, but it is a lovely sparkling wine that pairs very well with caviar.
It's nice to go with higher end caviar if you have the funds, but stay away from the bargain basement varieties. If you can't afford at least a medium quality Champagne and caviar then you aren't going to be enjoying anything close to "Champagne Wishes and Caviar Dreams" in your edible cocktail gel.
I like to serve these with a flute of the Champagne and a side plate of blinis topped with some creme fraiche and more caviar.
I also have a drinkable Caviar Martini just in case you'd rather lift a martini glass.

RECIPE FOR CHAMPAGNE WISHES & CAVIAR DREAMS EDIBLE COCKTAIL GELS
INGREDIENTS Caviar Layer 1 Ounce of Black Caviar 1/2 Cup of Champagne 1.5 Pkg. Gelatin Powder
Champagne Layer 1 Cup of Champagne or Sparkling Wine 1.5 Pkg. Gelatin Powder
Optional Blinis A little creme fraiche to dip the cocktail gel in
GARNISH & PRESENTATION Two Cocktail Picks or Skewers Cyprus Black Lava Mediterranean Sea Salt Flakes Serving Platter(s)
TOOLS Measuring Cups Small Microwaveable Bowl(s) Small Mixing Bowl(s) Non-stick spoon Silicon Candy Molds Non-stick Vegetable Spray Oval Mini Cookie Cutter
CHAMPAGNE & CAVIAR COCKTAIL GEL DIRECTIONS These directions work for both the caviar layer and the Champagne layer, which you will do separately. Do one layer at a time so the Champagne doesn't go flat while you're waiting for the other layer to set! Spray all your molds with cooking spray and set aside. Put the caviar/Champagne or the cup of Champagne in a small mixing bowl and set aside. In a small microwaveable bowl, add the gelatin powder to 2 tablespoons of water. Give this a quick stir and allow to sit for a couple of minutes. Warm this mixture in the microwave for about 25 seconds or so, long enough for the gelatin to completely dissolve, then stir well. Pour the gelatin water into the caviar/champagne (or the champagne) and stir well until the gelatin is completely incorporated in. You can now pour this into your (sprayed) mold or a small pan and place in the fridge to set up. It takes a good hour minimum but 2 hours or longer is better. Once both layers are set you can then pop the gels out of your candy molds or cut out your shapes with the mini cookie cutter and layer them onto your cocktail pick for serving.
GENERAL SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS & TIPS If you find the cocktail gel a little too gummy candy in texture, you can decrease the gelatin packets to only 1 package instead of 1 and 1/2.
Most cocktail gels can be frozen, depending on the ingredients however due to the delicate caviar I do not recommend freezing this cocktail gel.
National Caviar Day is July18th.


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WISH UPON A STARFRUIT COCKTAIL

I had to do a special for Wish Upon a Star Day, held every July 17th, because my favorite song in the world is "When You Wish Upon A Star" from Walt Disney's Pinnochio. I would make free cocktails forever for Jiminy Cricket.
Why is July 17th Wish Upon a Star Day? Because it's the birthday of the original Disneyland, in Aneheim, which opened July 17th, 1955. I would also make free cocktails for Walt Disney, who happens to be one of the top inspirations for my interest in art.
WISH UPON A STAR(FRUIT) MARTINI Your Dreams Come True in a Cocktail Glass
Ingredients:  1 Fresh Star Fruit 1-1/2 Oz. White Rum 1/2 Oz. Cointreau 2 Oz. Orange Juice Ice
Garnish: Sugared Rim, Starfruit slice, Orange Twist
Tools: Blender
Glass: Cocktail or Coupe
Directions:Slice off sections of the starfruit to get star shaped slices for your garnish.Rub the rim of your cocktail glass with one slice of starfruit then dip in cocktail sugar and chill glass in the freezer. Peel, deseed then puree the remainder and add it to your cocktail shaker with the rest of the ingredients. Blend until smooth, pour into the chilled glass garnish and serve.
A Little About Star Fruits:
Star fruits, also known as Carambola, are native to Asia but are now being cultivated in many tropical locations. The whole fruit can be eaten, including the skin though the ribs are usually tough and better cut away. They are tart, sweet and very juicy and taste a little like apples and pears with an overtone of citrus. They are high in anti-oxidants, vitamin C and even have some antimicrobial benefits.
WARNING:If you cannot have grapefruit because of certain medications, star fruit may also be counter-indicated for you as it has some of the same enzymes. Also star fruit contains oxalic acid which can be harmful for anyone with kidney disorders!

Updated 7-2025

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