March 9, 2012 4:46 pm

Fall Into Spring

Servings: 2

As it turns out, it's actually way more difficult to concoct a delicious and creative cocktail that I thought. I enlisted the help of a bartending-class-graduate friend, and together we embarked on a cocktail-making journey that yielded a series of not-so-great drinks, and one gem! Our creation is really better-suited to be a Fall favorite, given its apple and cinnamon tendencies, but the Honest Tea Fruit punch adds a nice fruity flavor and brings this beverage back to Spring.

1.5 shots vodka
2 shots of Honest Ade Super Fruit Punch
1 shot DeKuyper Apple Pucker Schnapps (or substitute)
1.5 shot of cinnamon vodka*

* Our cinnamon vodka was hand-made (put cinnamon sticks into vodka for about 1 month, or until the vokda takes on the flavor). Stoli makes a Zinamom Cinnamon Vodka you could try subbing in for this.

For a less complex recipe, try:
3 ounces Honest Ade Super Fruit Punch
1 ounce vodka
Pour over ice, and garnish with a strawberry!

— Written by Anna Boyadjieva

0 Comments >

Tags : Cocktails, Honest Tea, Super Fruit Punch, vodka

August 30, 2011 1:49 pm

Drink of the Day: The Elvis Presley

Very few liquors impress me. I was amused by chipotle flavored vodka, rum soaked with cranberries and tequila that tasted faintly of dried, smoked wood but I was truly tickled pink by Bakon Vodka. Not your dad's sipping drink, this gem of a liquor smells, tastes, but does not look like the pork product itself. While a Bloody Mary would compliment this clear booze to a B, I vastly prefer the almost sweet, but death-defyingly delicious, Elvis Presley. No matter what the occasion, the King of Rock & Roll does not disappoint with a smoky flavor, hint of sweet and the desire to keep consuming until the cows come home.

The Elvis Presley

1 oz Bakon Vodka
1/2 oz Hazelnut Liqueur
1/2 oz Banana Liqueur
Splash of Cream

Shake with ice and serve like a martini or strained into a shot glass.

Just like the man himself, smothered in bacon and bananas, this succulent sipper will have you wishing for a pair of blue suede shoes to rock out in (all while enjoying your cocktail!)

Trick: Substitute the Hazelnut Liqueur for a little dark chocolate syrup for a super sweet kick!

Photo credit: bakonvodka.com

— Written by Kaitlin A. Lipe

0 Comments >

Tags : bakon, vodka, bacon, meat, delicious, cocktail, elvis presley, banana, chocolate, hazelnut, flavored, cream, garnish, cocktail

May 10, 2011 11:33 am

Drink of the Day: The Signature I Spirit Martini by Cesare Martini

Vodka has always been synonymous with Russia. Not only does Russia produce some of the finest vodka in the world, but in our supermarket lines that are stocked with candy and gum, some Russian stores stock theirs with miniature bottles of vodka. Needless to say, the Russians love their vodka. But it's time for Russia to move on over for a new brand vodka called I Spirit, which is from...drum roll please...Italy.

I Spirit uses traditional vodka-making techniques, with high quality grains and the best white grapes from Fruili in the Northeast of Italy; the vodka is distilled five times. Created by Lapo Elkann, Marco Fantinel, Francesco Cosulich, and Arrigo Cipriani (the well known proprietor of Harry's Bar where the Bellini was made famous), I Spirit is also managed in the U.S. by Cesare Martini, the great grandson of the founder of Alessandro Martini known for founding Martini and Rossi Dry Vermouth.

I-Spirit was created to be used in more than just cocktails. As Italian cuisine continued to increase in popularity, an Italian vodka clearly needed to be used in dishes like Penne Alla Vodka and also citrusy vinaigrettes.

The Signature I Spirit Martini by Cesare Martini

Ingredients
4/5 I Spirit Vodka
1/5 Dry Martini Vermouth

Preparation
1. Fill a shaker with ice.

2. Add a drop of Martini Dry Vermouth and shake to "martinizzare" the shaker. Then pour out and add new ice to the shaker.

3. Pour ingredients and shake.

4. Drop in 2 drops of olive juice (preferably from Taggiasche olives)

5. Strain into a chilled "Coupette" martini glass, garnish with three green olives.

Tip: If you don't like olives, try rolling a lemon or lime on the cutting board to release flavor and get the juices flowing, then cut it open and squeeze into your drink.

Photo credit: blogosfere

— Written by Valerie Cario

0 Comments >

Tags : Lapo Elkann, Marco Fantinel, Francesco Cosulich, and Arrigo Cipriani, Cesare Martini, Martini & Rossi, Valerie Cario, I Spirit, vodka

November 16, 2010 12:03 pm

Drink of the Day: Godiva Chocolate Infused Vodka

With my holiday spirit already tickled by the sounds of "Jingle Bells" in my local supermarket and the tree in Rockefeller Center halfway finished, I'm all set to settle down with a sweet, happy drink. Despite my usual eggnog overdose, my holiday season would not be complete without a little chocolate decadence. Godiva's Chocolate Infused Vodka will be the focal point of my drink consumption in the upcoming months, most likely when making a quick martini (with splash of Bailey's or even some Godiva Chocolate Liqueur to sweeten things up), or possibly a slightly more complicated drink such as the Godiva Chocolate a l'Orange.

Tip: Try adding a dash of Godiva's Chocolate Infused Vodka to a glass of eggnog or hot chocolate. Sure beats Peppermint Schnapps!

Photo credit: ctbites.com

— Written by Kaitlin A. Lipe

1 Comments >

Tags : Godiva, Vodka, Chocolate, Baileys, Peppermint, Holiday, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Infused

May 26, 2010 9:15 am

Drink of the Day: Oval Vodka

If you thought Russia and Poland were the best vodka producers, think again. Oval is an Austrian vodka that has a unique taste (think nutty and warm with a smooth finish) due to its "structuring process"— a special method of combining alcohol with water (but not too much...this vodka packs a punch with an 84 Proof). And if you were wondering about the fancy tetrahedral shape of the glass bottle, it's meant to correspond to the structure of the vodka molecules.

Despite the high alcohol content, Oval is surprisingly smooth with a light sweetness, and is actually best when served at room temperature (who would've thought?). Founded by the Russian scientist, Professor Valery Sorokin, in 2000, this unique drink first hit the U.S. market in 2007. The website even states that Oval "never leads to a headache"... so why not give it a try? Tip: Alternate high-proof spirits such as vodka with a glass of water to curb hangovers and dehydration.

Photo credit: www.drinkhacker.com

— Written by Lindsay Rubin

0 Comments >

Tags : Oval, Vodka, Lindsay Rubin