CHOCOLATE MARGARITA Cocktail Recipe

You know eventually I had to do it. I am a serious chocoholic and I love margaritas and tequila. Yes, I finally had to do a chocolate margarita, if only so I could say I had a recipe for one when people asked.
I fell in love. I ended up making two more, one more than I should have, but they tasted so good! This is a beautifully complex, sophisticated take on a margarita.
The trick was in using Casa Noble Single Barrel Extra Añejo Tequila which has its own chocolate, nutty notes. I decided it would play better with the chocolate and orange liqueur combination than a blanco and I was correct. The Casa Noble was a perfect match for the rich chocolate flavors, the orange liqueur and the spiced rim. I'm very glad I splurged my sipping tequila on this particular cocktail.
The CHOCOLATE MARGARITA
INGREDIENTS 1-1/2 Oz. Casa Noble Single Barrel Extra Añejo Tequila 1/2 Oz. Torani Dark Chocolate Syrup 1/2 Oz. Dark Creme de Cacao 1/3 Oz. Fresh Lime Juice 1/3 Oz. Orange Liqueur Ice
Garnish: Cocktail rim: Torani syrup dipped into a mixture of 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon of dark cocoa powder, 1 tablespoon of Turbinado sugar, pinch of espresso powder and pinch of salt.

Glass: Rocks (Old Fashioned)
Tools: 2 small plates, cocktail shaker
DIRECTIONS Rim, then chill the glass in freezer. Combine the ingredients in a cocktail shaker and shake until well chilled. Strain into the chilled glass, garnish and serve.

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MARGHERITA PIZZA MARGARITAS

Margherita Pizza Margaritas. Why not? Think about it, it's basically a Bloody Maria with an Italian accent. It's booze fusion, a cocktail mash-up of Mexico and Italy.
It's also my little drink play on the popular tale of the origins of Pizza Margherita. The story claims that in 1889 pizza maker Raffaele Esposito created a fresh basil, mozzarella and tomato "Pizza Margherita" in the colors of the Italian flag to honor Margherita of Savoy, the Queen Consort of King Umberto I.

Margherita of Savoy
However, according to Italy Magazine, the recipe for this pizza combination "can be traced back to at least 1866 in  Francesco DeBouchard book “Customs and Traditions of Naples” -  (Vol II, p.. 124). There he describes the most popular pizza toppings of the time which included one with cheese and basil, often topped with slices of mozzarella."
Anyone really care where and when Pizza Margherita came from?  No? Me either, I just like that pizza, had some great heirloom cherry tomatoes to use up, and I had a craving for a margarita. Tequila, an Italian orange liqueur and pizza toppings. I had to do it, the word play was just too irresistible.
(P.S. I was also craving taquitos so I took my regular cheese taquitos and turned them into Margherita Taquitos. That recipe is just below the drink instructions.)
The MARGHERITA PIZZA MARGARITA
INGREDIENTS: 1-1/2 Oz Tequila Blanco 1/4 Oz. Aperol 10 - 15 Heirloom Cherry Tomatoes 4 Fresh Basil Leaves 2 Teaspoons Fresh Lime Juice Ice
GARNISH: Rim: 1 teaspoon fennel seed, 1 teaspoon of dried basil, sea salt for rim. Shredded Mozzarella, Basil Leaf.
TOOLS: Cocktail  Shaker, Muddler
GLASS: Old Fashioned
DIRECTIONS: Mix the fennel seed, sea salt and crushed basil leaves together in a small flat plate. Rub the rim of the glass with lime  dip in the fennel and basil salt mixture then chill the glass in freezer. Muddle the tomatoes, lime juice and a pinch of the salt mixture in the bottom of a cocktail shaker. Fill the shaker with ice, add the remaining ingredients then shake until chilled. Strain into an ice filled glass, garnish with a sprinkling of shredded mozzarella and a sprig of basil then serve.
If you like the idea of pizza as a drink check out my PIZZA COCKTAILS
MARGHERITA TAQUITOS 4 OZ. Shredded Mexican Blend Cheese 4 Oz. Shredded Mozzarella Thinly Sliced Cherry Tomatoes  12 Small Corn Tortillas 1/2 Cup of Fresh Basil Leaves, Julienned Cooking Oil Spray Sea Salt
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Soften the tortillas between moistened paper towels in the microwave for about 10 seconds. Sprinkle each taquito with equal parts of the Mexican blend cheese and the mozzarella. Don't get too enthusiastic, you want to be able to roll these tortillas tightly. Place a few slices of the cherry tomatoes atop the cheese. Sprinkle on a little bit of the basil. Roll the tortilla as tightly as possible then place seam side down on a parchment lined baking sheet. You can pierce each taquito with a couple of toothpicks to keep them rolled but I have never found the need to do this. Mist each taquito with a generous spray of the cooking oil. Sprinkle a touch of sea salt over the taquitos. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the taquitos are lightly browned and crispy. Serve with a fresh salsa garnished with the extra julienned basil.
National Cheese Pizza day is September 5th, National Pizza Day is February 9th and National Margarita Day is February 22nd.


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KILLER BRUNCH COCKTAILS

"Brunch is cheerful, sociable and inciting. It is talk-compelling. It puts you in a good temper, it makes you satisfied with yourself and your fellow beings, it sweeps away the worries and cobwebs of the week." ~ Guy Beringer
BRUNCH: n. A late morning meal eaten instead of breakfast and lunch.
The word "brunch" is a portmanteau of the words breakfast and lunch. According to The Smithsonian, the term was coined in an article in Britain in 1895 to describe a Sunday meal for "Saturday-night carousers".*
I love Brunch, it's the ultimate indulgence on lazy weekends. What's better than sleeping in late then heading out to a meal that satisfies both breakfast and lunch ... and has booze?

With all these cocktail options you have no reason to ever have a sad, late breakfast again.
BRUNCH COCKTAILS
The Classics A BLOODY LOT OF BLOODY MARYS CHAMPAGNE COCKTAILS
Pre-Brunch COFFEE COCKTAILS ESPRESSO COCKTAILS
Drink your Brunch!EGG COCKTAILS 
Btw, here's a great brunch recipe: BUTTER POACHED EGGS ROSEMARY

* Brunch: A Plea" in Hunter's Weekly' written by Guy Beringer.
PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLYUpdated 7-6-2025

EDIBLE COCKTAILS - Jello Shots for Grown Ups

 MOLECULAR GASTRONOMY & MIXOLOGY MEETS GELATIN DESSERTS
These are not the jello shots of frat party fame where cheap booze and gelatin grope each other in a dark Dixie cup, these are sophisticated, adult, Edible Cocktails where designer liquor power dates intense flavor. It's what happens when booze grows up and gets married to haute cuisine.

EDIBLE COCKTAILS
 BERRY SANGRIA BERRY SHORTCAKE
BLOODY MARY TAPAS
BOOZE INFUSED CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES
CARAMEL CUSTARD
CHAMPAGNE WISHES & CAVIAR DREAMS
CHOCOLATE CHOCOLATE CHIP
CHOCOLATE ECLAIR
GUMMY WORMS IN PRIMORDIAL BOOZE
MOCHA ESPRESSO
PINA COLADAS ON THE BEACH
PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE
RED, WHITE & BLUEBERRY
SPOONFUL OF COSMO
WHITE RUSSIAN TRUFFLE CUPS (WITH ESPRESSO CAVIAR

   
Updated 6-2018 PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY

HONEY COCKTAILS

 
Honey is one of my favorite sweeteners. If it's possible to replace simple syrup, sugar or any other sweetener with honey in a cocktail I will do it. It's all natural and it keeps literally forever. As a healthy cocktail sweetener it's second to none for adding that essential balance for any spicy, sour, and bitter elements. If you can get lovely flavored honeys like those I've been kindly gifted from Honey Ridge Farms, it adds additional flavor as well. You can even buy honey wine, called Mead, very popular back in the good old Medieval days and making a huge comeback in today's craft cocktail scene.
I always keep a jar of local honey for allergy season but I end up using it more for cocktails then for sneezing. Because honey is so healthy I have created so many cocktails using it that I'll probably miss some on this list, so feel free to use my search option to find them all and don't be afraid to replace other sweeteners with honey in your favorite cocktails. By thinning it with warm water you can create a very healthy alternative to most simple syrups, just remember that any honey brings it's own distinctive flavor to the cocktail profile.
COCKTAILS WITH HONEY AGAVECILLIN BEE'S KNEES
BLACK EYED SUSAN
BLACKBERRY JAM BOURBON SOUR
BLACKBERRY MOJITO
BLUEBERRY JULEP & BLUEBERRY MINT BOURBON BUTTERFLY PEA FLOWER & ELDERFLOWER GIN & TONIC
BLUSHING ROSE CHAMPAGNE COCKTAIL BUNNY TRAP COCKTAIL
CARROT CAKE COCKTAIL CANTALOUPE MARTINI
CASABRANCA COCKTAIL
CHEAP THRILLS COCKTAIL
CITRUS SPICED HOT TODDY CLOCKWORK ORANGE CRUSTA
(The) COCKTAIL PURPLE
CUCUMBER PEA SHOOT MOJITO
DRUNK BUNNY CARROT COCKTAIL DRUNK SKELETONS IN THE CLOSET
DRUNKEN ASTRONAUT ELDER FASHIONED COCKTAIL ELDERFLOWER SALTY DOG 
ENCHANTED FAERIE
GRILLED PEACH RUM MIMOSAS
HONEY FITZ SPRITZ HONEY OLD FASHIONED
HONEYDEW MELON MARTINI HOT, SPICED, SPIKED CRANBERRY ORANGE TEA PUNCH
HUMBLEBERRY PIE COCKTAIL KOSHER CALVADOS COCKTAIL LUCKY CHARM COCKTAIL MELON CUCUMBER MARTINI  MIDSUMMER'S NIGHT COCKTAIL  MIND YOUR Ps & Qs CUCUMBER PEA SHOOT MOJITO MINT GREEN TEA GIN & TONIC PARTRIDGE IN A PEAR MARTINI RAINS OF CASTAMERE - RED WEDDING SOUR SPARKLING SKELETON SANGRIA SPICED BANANA DAIQUIRI STORMBORN COCKTAIL VEGAN NEW YORK SOUR WATERMELON ROSEMARY GIN SOUR WHISKEY BERRY SMASH WILD BERRY POP TART MARTINI     I have also used honey as a sweetener in my homemade ROASTED HATCH CHILE CILANTRO TEQUILA LIQUEUR    National Honey Bee Day is August 20th, National I Love Honey Day is December 18th and National Honey Month is September.

Updated 11-2019 PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY
 

PINEAPPLE COCKTAILS

Pineapple is a predominant flavor in the cocktail world. Falling behind only orange and lemon, pineapple is one of the necessary juices to keep on hand for making cocktails. It's such a popular flavor that there are now several branded pineapple vodkas and pineapple rums on the market. There's even pineapple whiskey and tequila out there.

Pineapple is a main flavor in most Tiki drinks and it's an absolute necessity for Pina Coladas, but Pina Coladas are not the only way to enjoy pineapple in a cocktail. Rum is, of course, the first thing most people think of when mixing up pineapple cocktails, but it also stands up to beautiful whiskies and aged tequilas, not to mention how nicely it plays with vodka and gin.

If you're looking to finally branch out from that o.j. drenched drink, here's a great list of pineapple cocktails to help lead you astray.

PINEAPPLE COCKTAILS

ALIEN INVASION COCKTAIL
BEACH BUM BERRY PINA COLADA
BLACK EYED SUSAN COBBLER COCKTAIL
BLUE HAWAII MARTINI
BLUE MOON MARTINI
CANDY CORN MOONSHINE COCKTAIL
CASABRANCA COCKTAIL
CERSEI'S REVENGE
DRUNKEN BABY DOLE PINEAPPLE WHIPS
FLIRTINI

FRENCH MARTINI
GRILLED PINEAPPLE MEZCAL SLUSHY MARGARITA
GRILLED PINEAPPLE MOJITO
GUMMY RUMMY HALLOWEEN SHOOTER
GUMMY WORM EDIBLE COCKTAILS
GRINNING SKULL
HIBISCUS COLADA FRAPPÉ
JIMMY BUFFET MARTINI
JUNGLE JUICE
KINGSLAYER TIKI COCKTAIL
LICUADOS DE MAYO COCKTAIL
LOST MAI TAI TIKI COCKTAIL
MANGO PINEAPPLE RUBBER DUCKY SLUSHY
MERINGUE ISLAND PUNCH
PIÑA COLADA
PINA COLADA MARTINI
PINA COLADAS ON THE BEACH (Edible Cocktail Gels)
PINEAPPLE MINT JULEP
PINEAPPLE ORANGE COLADA
PINEAPPLE PISCO SOUR
PINEAPPLE DRUNK SIDE DOWN SMASH
PINEAPPLE UPSIDE DOWN CAKE MARTINI
RASPBERRY PINA COLADA
SIMPSONS DUH-OH MARTINI
SNEAKY TIKI COCKTAIL
STRAWBERRY COLADA MARTINI
STRAWBERRY PINA COLADAS
TIPSY MISS COCKTAIL
TRIPLE RUM PUNCH
TROPICAL BREEZE RUM SMOOTHIE
ZOMBIE JUICE

ABOUT THE PINEAPPLE
The word "pineapple" derives from the Spanish word "piña", originally applied to pine cones, it was later adapted to the pineapple fruit when it was introduced to Europe. Discovered on the Caribbean island of Guadalupe in 1493, the Portuguese and Spanish introduced pineapples to Asia, Africa and the South Pacific. Pineapples were first cultivated in Hawaii in the 18th century and Hawaii remains the only U.S. state to still commercially grow pineapples.

The Pineapple is a member of the bromiliad family, one of the few bromiliads that produces an edible fruit. The fruit is composed of berries in the form of scales. Pineapple contains high amounts of vitamin C, thiamin, manganese and anti-oxidants as well as bromelain. Bromelain is an enzyme that breaks down protein (one of the compounds that can tenderize meat) which aid in digestion. Pineapple can reduce the risks of sinus inflammation, blood clots, macular degeneration, heart disease, osteoporosis and may also be helpful in reducing the risk of osteoarthritis and tumor growth.

Like anything else, too much of a good thing can be dangerous and pineapples are no exception. The bromelain can cause a tenderness in the mouth, the high quantity of vitamin C in pineapple could result in diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or heart burn if one consumes too much and, of course, there are pineapple allergies that can cause a rash, hives or breathing difficulties. But if consumed wisely and in moderation, pineapples are a refreshing and healthy taste treat.

 

Updated 6-2019
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GINGERSNAP MARTINI Cocktail Recipe

  This cocktail is my all time favorite cookie, my Mom's Gingersnaps, in a glass - again. I had run out of my homemade gingerbread liqueur but wanted a quick gingersnap fix so for this cocktail I grabbed a bottle of Domaine De Canton Ginger Liqueur and some molasses for a different approach.  

GINGERSNAP MARTINI   INGREDIENTS 1-1/2 Oz. Vodka 1 Oz. Domaine De Canton Ginger Liqueur
1 Tsp. Dark Molasses

Garnish:Pinch of CinnamonPinch of GingerPinch of Clove
Gingersnap Cookie   Tools: Cocktail Shaker   Glass: Cocktail or Coupe   DIRECTIONS Chill your glass in the freezer. Fill cocktail shaker with ice, add ingredients, shake until well chilled. Strain into the cocktail glass, dust with spices, add the gingersnap cookie and serve.  VOICEOVER VIDEO WITH INGREDIENTS AND DIRECTIONS

MORE GINGERBREAD COCKTAILS & LIQUEUR     You might also want to try out this cookies:     Updated 7-2022 PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY