Happy New Year!

Midnight Cocktail

(idrink.com)

Midnight Cocktail drink recipe made with Apricot Brandy, Lemon juice, Triple Sec,.  How to make a Midnight Cocktail with all the instructions and ingredients.

1 oz. Apricot Brandy

1 tbsp. Lemon Juice

0.5 oz. Triple Sec.

Shake all ingredients with ice. strain into a cocktail glass, and serve.

Orange Champagne Cocktail

Orange Champagne Cocktail drink recipe made with Champagne, Ginger Ale, Orange Juice and Strawberries. 

Ingredients:
0.8 quart Champagne
28 oz. Ginger Ale
2 cups Orange Juice
Frozen Strawberries

Combine Champagne, Ginger Ale and Orange Juice.
Float strawberries on top.

(idrink.com)

Chocolate Kiss

The Chocolate Kiss is a wonderful spiked hot chocolate drink that will get you warmed up in no time. It's a variation of the simple Adult Hot Chocolate that adds a touch of coffee liqueur for a deeper flavor profile.

In keeping with the name, I like to top this one with a healthy mound of whipped cream that is crowned by  placing a Hershey's Kiss chocolate on top.



For a drink that is a little stronger, replace the coffee liqueur with one of the espresso-infused vodkas like those from Three Olives or Van Gogh.

See also:

Ski Lift

Mound Bar

Mad Monk

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 ounces peppermint schnapps
• 1/2 ounce coffee liqueur
• Hot chocolate
• Whipped cream and a Hershey's Kiss for garnish (optional)

(Cocktails.about.com)

Happy Hanukkah

Started on December 24th this year.

·                      Hanukkah, the annual Jewish Festival of Lights, overlaps with Christmas this year—an occurrence that hasn’t happened since 1978 and won’t take place again until 2027.

·                      The Jewish winter holiday, which is also spelled Chanukah, begins this year on Dec. 24 and lasts eight days until Jan. 1, 2017. It is celebrated, in part, by the lighting of a menorah each night.

(Time.com)

Let It Snow

A Fine Frenzy

We haven't had snow, but it did rain.

The Island of Misfit Toys

Frosty the Snowman

Frosty the Snowman

Ingredients:
2 scoops of vanilla ice cream
1 scoop of ice
3 oz. peppermint schnapps
3 oz. Bailey’s Irish Cream
3 oz. Vanilla Vodka (Stoli is one brand that makes this)

Blend for two minutes and serve in a tall glass. Garnish with a candy cane.

Read more at http://www.business2community.com/food-recipes/christmas-drinks-recipe-0342221#KatPOvpvoktmVZO2.99

Last Christmas - Wham

George Michael RIP

Red Rudolph Cocktail

The Red Rudolph Cocktail is named after the famous reindeer of Christmas stories.  And while it's a great choice for Christmas time or cold weather, it's great any time you want a warm drink that tastes like cranberry, orange and sweet cinnamon.

1/2 ounce of orange curacao
3/4 ounce cinnamon schnapps
1/2 ounce vodka
6 ounces cranberry juice

Heat the cranberry juice until it's hot. Pour everything else into an Irish coffee mug and then slowly add the hot juice.  The temperature of the drink will be warm. Top it with whip cream and garnish with sugar sprinkles on top. 


If you want a stronger drink, just swap some of the cranberry juice for vodka.  This is definitely a drink you can tweak.
(mixthatdrink.com)

Little Saint Nick

Merry Christmas

Gregg Lake and Ian Anderson

Oh Come, Oh Come Emmanuel - Enya

The Little Drummer Boy/Peace On Earth

The Christmas Song - Nat King Cole

Elf Cocktail Recipe

Ingredients:

1 oz. Melon Liqueur
2 oz. citrus vodka
1 oz. white cranberry juice
Maraschino cherries for garnish.

Instructions:

Combine melon liqueur, vodka and cranberry juice in an ice filled shaker.
Shake vigorously and strain into cocktail glass.
Garnish with cherries.

orientaltrading.com

Winter Sun

Juice of two clementines (about 1/4 cup)
Juice of 1/2 small lemon (1/2 oz)
1/2 oz. triple sec
1 1/2 oz. vodka
sprig of rosemary
lemon zest *
sugar

1. Combine the lemon zest and sugar in a shallow bowl or plate.  Using fruit juice on the rim of the glass, place upside down onto plate to coat with sugar. 
2. Pour the citrus juices and vodka into a cocktail shaker.  Shake and then pour over ice.  Serve with rosemary sprig.

(herbco.com)
Recipe from Two Tarts


*http://recipes.howstuffworks.com/food-facts/what-is-lemon-zest.htm

Pineapple Pleaser

Ingredients:

Ice cubes
3 ounces unsweetened pineapple juice
1 1/2 ounces Tequila (Jose Cuervo Especial®)
1 1/2 ounces lemon juice
3/4 ounces grenadine syrup
club soda
Fresh pineapple slices

Instructions:

Fill a tall glass halfway with ice. Add pineapple juice, tequila, lemon juice and grenadine syrup; stir to combine.  Top with club soda.  Garnish with pineapple wedge.

Sandralee.com

Friday Freeze

This sounds like more of a drink for summer but it's pretty freezing outside already so here it is, the Friday Freeze. 
Also, sounds a little fussy to make.

4 scoops Orange Sherbet
1 cup Orange Juice
1/2 cup Vodka
1/4 cup Rum

Blend all ingredients in blender at highest speed.  Consistency of the mix should be "semi-thick" (not so thick that a spoon would stand by itself in the mix, but not as thin as juice). If the mix is too thin, add more sherbet, if too thick, add equal amount of juice and alcohol. 
Pour into glass and place into freezer for fifteen minutes.
Serve in a white wine glass.

Read more: Friday Freeze recipe http://www.drinksmixer.com/drink3623.html#ixzz4SyLxYieJ

Kentucky Coffee

I might have posted this a long time ago at the start of the cold weather. Or something similar.

2 oz. Kentucky Bourbon
1/2 oz. Brown Sugar
6 oz. Hot Mint Coffee
Cream

In a mug or a heat-proof glass, combine the bourbon, sugar and coffee. Top with cream, lightly whipped and garnish with fresh mint leaves.  Enjoy!

Friday

Friday recipe:

Ingredients:
3/4 oz. white rum
3/4 oz. mango syrup
1/4 mango
1/4 oz. lime juice

Prepare mango juice with rum and syrup in a blender with crushed ice. Strain into a large highball glass, and fill with crushed ice. 
Squeeze in a lime wedge and serve.

Cinnamon Toast

Warm up on a an autumn evening with Captain Morgan Original Spice Rum and cinnamon concoction.
Total Time: 0.05; Level: Easy; Serves: 1

Ingredients:

1 1/4 oz. Captain Morgan Rum
6 oz. hot apple cider
1 tbsp. sugar
1 tbsp. cinnamon

Directions:

Add hot apple cider and Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum to a glass rimmed with sugar and cinnamon.

(delish.com)

Maple Leaf Cocktail

Ingredients:

2 ounces Bourbon
1/2 ounce pure maple syrup
1/2 ounce lemon juice
1 cinnamon stick

Directions:

Combine mixture of bourbon, maple syrup, and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
Shake and strain into a cocktail glass.
Garnish with the cinnamon stick.

Maple Leaf Cocktail Recipe © 2010

Read more at http://leitesculinaria.com/55708/recipes-maple-leaf-cocktail.html#3M6He8P4vQjkkV4Y.99

Cranberry Kiss

Happy belated Thanksgiving

Ingredients:

1 1/4 oz. Captain Morgan's Original Spiced Rum
6 oz. hot apple cider
1 tbsp. sugar
1 tbsp. cinnamon

Directions:

Add hot apple cider and spiced rum to glass rimmed with sugar and cinnamon.

(delish.com)

Crown Royal and Ginger

All you need is Crown Royal Deluxe and ginger ale to recreate this classic mixed drink in under a minute.

1 oz. Crown Royal Deluxe
3 oz. Ginger Ale
1 wedge lime

Add Crown Royal and Ginger Ale to an ice-filled highball glass.
Garnish with a lime wedge.


delish.com

Cranberry Ginger Martini

2 tsp. grated ginger
8 cranberries (fresh or frozen)
4 oz. cranberry vodka
Splash of lime juice
Splash of cranberry juice
Splash of simple syrup
(dissolve one part sugar in one part boiling water; let cool)
Splash of Sprite
Garnish:  lemon twist

Muddle ginger and cranberries in a shaker.
Add ice, vodka, both juices, and simple syrup.
Shake well. Strain into a Martini glass, and add Sprite.
Garnish with lemon twist.

The Fireplace
Brookline, Massachusetts

Chicago Apple Cider

Ingredients:

1 oz. Canadian Mist Whiskey
1/4 oz. Goldschlager Cinnamon Schnapps
Apple Juice

Stir the Canadian Mist whiskey and Cinnamon Schnapps together in an old-fashioned glass filled with ice cubes.  Add apple juice to taste, and serve.

Go Cubs!

Read more: Chicago Apple Cider recipe http://www.drinksmixer.com/drink11369.html#ixzz4Oj833SYg

Vampire Blues

Ingredients:

1 1/2 oz. Bourbon
1/2 oz. Sherry
1/2 oz. fresh Lemon Juice
1/2 oz. Simple Syrup
1 tsp. Pumpkin Butter
2 dashes Angostura bitters
Cinnamon stick for garnish




Directions:

Add bourbon, sherry, lemon juice, simple syrup, pumpkin butter, and bitters to a cocktail shaker.
Fill with ice.  Shake well and strain into an ice-filled rocks glass.  Garnish with cinnamon stick.

Happy Halloween!

Blood Orange Martini Cocktail

Recipe ingredients:

60 ml (1/4 cup) vodka
8 ml (1 2/3 tsp.) orange liqueur
30 ml (1 oz.) orange juice

Cocktail execution:

Fill your chilled cocktail shaker with ice.
Add the vodka, orange liqueur, and the blood orange juice.
Shake well.
Strain into a chilled martini glass.
The Blood Orange Martini is ready.

(cocktaillab.org)

Broken Heart Mai Tai Zombie

2 oz. Bacardi Gold Rum
2 oz. Bacardi Orange Rum
2 oz. Bacardi 151 Rum
2 oz. DeKuyper Triple Sec
2 oz. Orange Curacao Liqueur
3 oz. Orange Juice
1 splash Rose's Grenadine Syrup
1 splash Perrier Lime Soda Water

Pour all ingredients into a hurricane glass half-filled with ice. Stir well, and garnish with a slice of orange, a cherry and a piece of cantaloupe.

Caramel Apple Martini

Ingredients:

1 cup Apple Juice
1 shot Vodka
1 shot Apple Pucker Schnapps
1 tbsp. Caramel Sauce

Instructions:

Place ingredients in drink shaker and shake vigorously.
Place martini glass in bowl of caramel sauce to line the rim with caramel.
Pour drink into the glass and garnish with an apple slice.

quirkyinspired.com

Northern Lights

Ingredients:

1 oz. Vodka
2 oz. Raspberry Liqueur
3 oz. Orange-Pineapple Juice

Pour the vodka (Absolute), raspberry liqueur and orange-pineapple juice into a highball glass filled with ice cubes.
Stir well and serve.
(drinkedin.net)


Or-
1.5 oz. Yukon Jack
1 part Cranberry Juice
1 part Orange Juice

Stir with ice and serve in a tall glass. Cocktail glass recommended: Collins.
(whattodrink.com)

Smashing Pumpkin

2 oz. Stoli Vanilla vodka
1 tbsp. pumpkin puree
1 oz. cream
1 tbsp. *simple syrup
*(dissolve one part sugar and one part boiling water; let cool)

Put everything into a cocktail shaker.  Add ice and shake.
Pour into a glass over ice, and garnish with a cinnamon stick.


cosmopolitan.com and BLT Steak, Washington, D.C.

Old-Fashioned Autumn

1 oz. bourbon
1 oz. applejack
1/4 oz. honey syrup*
3 dashes aromatic bitters

Stir all ingredients with ice in a double old fashioned glass. Garnish with a twist of orange peel.

*To make honey syrup mix equal parts of honey and water.

(bourbonbanter.com)

Funky Midori

Ingredients:

1 oz. Midori Melon Liqueur
1/2 cup Melon  - Cantelope
2/3 oz. White Rum
1 tbsp. Simple Syrup
1 tbsp. Lemon Juice
1/2 oz. Orange Juice
1/2 cup ice - crushed
Garnish:  Melon
Glass: Champagne Glass



Directions:

Blend all ingredients until smooth in a food processor or blender.
Pour into chilled champagne sauce, Margarita glass or cocktail glass.
Garnish with a melon wedge.

© CompleteCocktails.com

A Night In Bangkok

1-1/2 parts Grey Goose Vodka
34 part lime juice
3/4 part simple Syrup
3/4 part Mezcal
black pepper
1 cucumber slice
1 sprig cilantro

1. Combine Kosher salt and black pepper.

2.  Rim Old Fashioned glass with sesame oil, dip in kosher salt/crushed black pepper mix.

3. Muddle cucumber and cilantro in a shaker tin, add ingredients and ice, shake and double strain over ice into old fashioned glass.

4. Garnish with cucumber-cilantro chip.

Thai chili infused vodka ingredients

8 parts GreyGoose® Vodka
3 Thai chilis, cut lengthwise

Thai chili Infused vodka Preparation

1. Combine 8 parts GREY GOOSE Vodka and 3 Thai Chilies, cut lengthwise.
2. Steep for five minutes (or to taste), and strain.
Take cucumber slice and stick one Cilantro leaf on it's face.
Cilantro leaf should stick, otherwise, try brushing cucumber
chip with simple syrup. Sprinkle with Salt/pepper mix.

(cocktailsdrinksrecipes.com)

Chelsea Hotel

Leonard Cohen wrote Chelsea Hotel for Janis Joplin.  It's been covered by Rufus Wainwright and Lana Del Rey. 
I can't believe I found a drink with this name.

Easy drink recipe:

1 1/2 oz. Gin
1/2 oz. Triple Sec
2 tsp. lemon juice

In a shaker half-filled with ice cubes, combine all of the ingredients.
Shake well. Strain into a cocktail glass.

(drinksmixer)

Midori Honey Moon cocktail

The Midori Honey Moon cocktail is made from white wine, Midori melon liqueur, Slivovitz (plum liqueur), lime juice and apple juice, and served in a chilled cocktail glass.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 oz. White Wine - Chardonnay
1 oz. Midori Melon Liqueur
1 oz. Plum Liqueur - Slivovitz
1/2 oz. Lime Juice
1 tbsp. Apple Juice
Garnish:  Apple
Glass: Cocktail Glass



Directions:
Shake all ingredients well with ice in a cocktail shaker.
Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Garnish with apple slices.

© CompleteCocktails.com

Harvest Moon - Neil Young

Harvest Moon Cocktail

The Harvest Moon Cocktail is made using Grey Goose L'Orange Vodka, Dry Vermouth, Orange Liqueur, and Bitters.

The Harvest Moon Cocktail Recipe.

1-1/2 part Grey Goose L'Orange Vodka
1/2 part Dry Vermouth
1/2 part Orange liqueur
dash bitters

1.Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
2.Stir briskly. Strain into a chilled martini cocktail glass.
3.Present with an orange twist.

(cocktailsdrinksrecipes.com)

Harvest Moon

2016’s close and large Harvest Moon

By Deborah Byrd in Astronomy Essentials | September 11, 2016

This year’s Harvest Moon – coming up on September 16 – happens to be an especially close and large full moon. Is it a supermoon? That depends on your definition.

Here in the Northern Hemisphere, we call the closest full moon to the autumn equinox the Harvest Moon. In 2016, the September equinox comes on September 22. So this hemisphere’s Harvest Moon is the full moon of September 16. It happens to be an especially close and large full moon … a supermoon? There’s disagreement on that. This Harvest Moon will stage a subtle penumbral eclipse on the night of September 16-17, visible from half of Earth, but unfortunately not North America. Follow the links below to learn more.

What is a Harvest Moon?

Is the Harvest Moon bigger, or brighter or more colorful?

Which night is the Harvest Moon for me?

Who can see 2016’s Harvest Moon penumbral eclipse?

How did the Harvest Moon get its name?

When is the Southern Hemisphere’s Harvest Moon?

What are some other full moon names?

EarthSky’s 2017 lunar calendars are almost here!

earthsky.org

What is the “Harvest Moon,” and why does this particular Moon have special importance? We explain in detail.

The Harvest Moon is the full Moon nearest the start of fall or the autumnal equinox. This usually means it’s the September full Moon though it can also fall in early October, coming anywhere from two weeks before to two weeks after the equinox.

What Makes the Harvest Moon Different?

There are just a fraction over 12 complete Moon cycles every year, on average (there being about 29.53 days in a synodic month). The Harvest Moon isn’t like the other Moons. Usually, throughout the year, the Moon rises an average of about 50 minutes later each day. But near the autumnal equinox, the difference is only 30 minutes.

Also,the Full Harvest Moon rises at sunset and then will rise near sunset for several nights in a row because the difference is at a yearly minimum. It may almost seem as if there are full Moons multiple nights in a row!

The abundance of bright moonlight early in the evening was a traditional aide to harvest crews, hence the “Harvest” Moon. Now you know!

The 2016 Harvest Moon Eclipse

This year, the day the Harvest Moon rises also brings a Penumbral Lunar Eclipse. On Friday, September 16, 2016, The Old Farmer’s Almanac will partner with Slooh’s global network of observatories to broadcast this event to the world. Click to this page for the show!

almanac.com

Fifteen

California Dreaming

1 oz. Cherry Brandy
1 1/2 oz. Pineapple Juice
1 dash Lemon Juice
Champagne - chilled to top
1 wedge Pineapple for garnish
Glass:  Wine

Blend Cherry Brandy, Pineapple Juice and ice in a food processor. Pour into a wine glass and top with chilled champagne.

(completecocktails.com)

Kokomo

This is a different take on the Kokomo drink recipe.  Most use orange juice and crème de cacao.
Not to be confused with Kokomo Joe.

Kokomo

1/3 Banana liqueur
13 Malibu Rum
1/3 Pineapple juice

Shake well and strain over ice.  Serve in a cocktail glass.

(idrink.com)

Italian Sunrise

1 1/4 oz. Vodka
1/4 oz. Limoncello
3/4 oz. Orange Juice
3/4 oz. Campari Bitters
3/4 oz. Sweet & Sour mix

Directions:

Shake ingredients and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. 
Garnish with a lemon spiral and serve.
Best served in a cocktail glass.
(drinkswap.com)

L' Orange Buoasola

Ingredients:

1 part Grey Goose orange flavored vodka
3/4 Limoncello
3/4 part Noilly Prat Rouge Vermouth
1 tsp. super fine sugar
3 parts orange juice

Instructions:

Fill cocktail shaker with ice, and add all ingredients.  Shake vigorously, and strain into a highball glass filled with ice.  Present with an orange slice.

(Cocktailsdrinksrecipes.com)

August Moon

1 oz. Kahlua coffee liqueur
1 oz. Vodka
1 splash Bailey's Irish Cream
5-6 oz. Coca Cola
1 oz. Amaretto almond liqueur
1 oz. Triple Sec
1 oz. orange juice

Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with a few ice cubes.
Shake well, strain into an old-fashioned glass and serve.

Summer Breeze

    

Ingredients to use:
1 oz. Peach Schnapps
1 oz. Orange Triple Sec
1 oz. Vodka
3-5 ounces of 7UP

Directions:
Mix 1 ounce of vodka, 1 ounce of Peach Schnapps and 1 oz. Orange Triple Sec with 3-5 ounces of 7UP and enjoy.

(idrink.com)

Bittersweet Symphony

2 oz.Gin
1/2 oz. Campari
1/2 oz. Chambord Raspberry Liqueur
4 blackberries
1 tsp. Simple Syrup
Club Soda to top or Sprite or 7UP (lemon lime soda)

Muddle the blackberries and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker.
Add crushed ice, gin, Campari Raspberry Liqueur and shake well, then pour into a chilled hurricane glass.  Top with a splash of club soda, Sprite or 7Up, if desired.
Garnish with any seasonal fruit.

Brazilian Breeze

1 oz. vanilla vodka
1 oz. DeKuyper Sour Apple Pucker Schnapps
1 oz. orange juice

Pour the vanilla vodka and the DeKuyper sour apple pucker into a highball glass.
Fill with orange juice and serve.

Pearl Jam

Ingredients:

1 oz. Orange Vodka
4 oz. Club Soda
1 oz. Orange Juice

Instructions:

Pour orange vodka into an ice filled highball (tall) glass. 
Add club soda, top with orange juice and serve.

German Coffee

Ingredients

1/2 oz. Kirschwasser cherry brandy
5 oz. shot black coffee
1 1/2 oz. whipped cream
1 teaspoon of sugar

Instructions

Pour coffee and brandy into an Irish coffee cup and sweeten to taste.
Gently float the cream on top, garnish with a black cherry and serve.

(drinksmixer.com)

Boston Iced Coffee recipe

6 oz. cold coffee
1 oz. white creme de cacao
1 oz. brandy

Pour all ingredients into a highball glass, and stir. Garnish with a lemon twist, and serve.

(They left out the ice)

drinksmixer.com

Cruel Summer

Ingredients (enough for 2 cocktails)

1 oz. Banana Liqueur
1 oz. Bailey's Crème Caramel
1 oz. Kahlua
1 oz. Crème de Cocoa (Dark)
1 oz. Malibu Coconut Rum
4 oz. Half & Half
1 Banana
A dozen ice cubes
Chocolate Syrup
Caramel Syrup
Cherries to garnish


Directions:

Cut the top part of the banana off to use as a garnish.  Put the rest of the banana, the 5 spirits, Half & Half, and ice into a blender.  Blend on high for about a minute and pour into your favorite cocktail glass. Drizzle the chocolate and caramel syrup over the top and garnish with the banana top and a cherry.  If you like a sweet cocktail, this one will definitely put a smile on your face... Cruel Summer.
Bottoms up, and please drink responsibly.  Thanks!

Hampton Roads HappyHour.com

Cucumber-Shiso Mule

Ingredients:

3 slices of cucumber
2 shiso leaves
1.5 ounce gin
3 ounces ginger beer

Directions:

Muddle 3 slices of cucumber and one shiso leaf in gin.  Add ice and top off with 3 ounces ginger beer.  Garnish with remaining shiso leaf and a paper umbrella, or perhaps a slice of candied ginger on glass.

Summer cocktails
(self.com)

Vodka Smoothie

6 fluid ounces Vodka
12 fluid ounces Orange Juice
4 scoops Orange Sherbet
1 cup crushed ice
1 cup frozen strawberries

In a blender, mix the vodka, orange juice, sherbet, strawberries and ice.
Blend until smooth.

allrecipes

June Sparkle

Ingredients:

3 1/4 oz. Champagne
1/2 oz. Strawberry Liqueur
1 oz. Pineapple Juice


Pour into a champagne flute.
Garnish with a sugar dipped strawberry, and serve.


(Drinksmixer.com)

Memorial Day

Norwegian Iceberg