Coffee Cocktail

(Taken outside my back door.  Not
an easy feat with two dogs
busting to get out behind you.)

Covering two of my favorite things today.  Sitting and drinking.

Snowing in New Jersey + Had my coffee + It's past noon = Cocktails

Had a little bit of coffee left in the pot and I hate to waste anything so I got inspired.  This would actually make a fabulous after dinner drink as well.

Here is what you need and do:

For rim of glass:

On a small plate or shallow bowl, mix together:

1/4 tsp Cinnamon
1/4 tsp Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
1/2 Tbsp Extra Fine Sugar
Chocolate Sprinkles (optional)

Using a little coffee, water or half and half, wet the rim of martini glass (preferable chilled glass if possible).  Dip the rim of the glass all around in above sugar mixture.

(Shout out to Brooklyn Republic Vodka & Kahlua!)

In a cocktail shaker over ice add:

1/4 cup cold coffee or espresso
1 1/2 oz Vodka
1 1/2 oz Kahlua or coffee liqueur
1 1/2 oz Half & Half

Shake well for at least 30 seconds. Strain and pour into martini glass. Enjoy!

Options to make it fancy:

*Add a little whipped cream to the rim of glass.  Sprinkle whipped cream with a bit of the rimming mixture.

*Place a small slit in the bottom of a mini cupcake and hang off side of glass.

*Put a filled cookie such as an Oreo or mini Oreo on the side of the glass. ( Sorry. No photo for this one.  Cookies mysteriously disappeared.)

As always, I encourage you to "make it your own".  Would love to see/hear about some of your variations so if you come up with something call, take a picture and send it along.

My Northeast friends - stay safe in the snow!  Don't drink and shovel. But if you do, I definitely want picture of that!

Cheers!

Cheers to the End of Summer!

September 9th.  Labor Day has passed. School has restarted.  We are technically in Fall mode but here in New Jersey, it still feels like summer.  87 - 100 degree temperatures still call for refreshing cocktails in my world.  So, here is one to salute away a fantastic summer.

Lychee Lemonade Cocktail
(note the little butterfly on the flowers trying to move in on my drink.)

I recently discovered this wonderful libation -  Brooklyn Republic Vodka. They are a small family owned local company - and you know how I feel about that - that handcrafts each small batch.   They currently make straight up regular vodka, Elderflower Apple, Passion fruit Pear, Blueberry Coconut and Lychee Lemon flavored vodkas (which is what I used in this cocktail). 

If you have never had Lychee before, it is a crisp fruit that has a floral, almost sweet perfumey type of scent to it. When you open this bottle of vodka, that sweet crisp lemony scent is the first thing that hits you.  This vodka would be great on its own over ice or with a splash of seltzer or tonic.  But, I like to take things a little step further. 

I used a bit of mint since it is still growing wild in my garden.  I think it also lends a nice green earthy refreshing touch to this cocktail.  Plus, you are getting your greens so technically this is a healthy drink, right?!

Here is what you need:

A few fresh mint leaves

Juice and zest of 1/2 a lemon

2 tsp superfine sugar, divided

1 1/2 ounces Brooklyn Republic Lychee Lemon Vodka

Splash of seltzer, Pellegrino or any sparkling beverage of your choice

Here is what you do:

1. Take the leaves off the stems of your fresh mint and put in the bottom of your cocktail shaker.
2. Zest (grate) your lemon.  Reserve a little on a small plate and mix with 1 tsp of superfine sugar.  Throw the rest in with your mint in the shaker.
3. Add a teaspoon of superfine sugar to your shaker.
4. Muddle (smoosh together) your ingredients in the shaker.  This will release all the great flavors of the mint and lemon zest.
5. Add your vodka. (yay!)
6. Add a cup or so of ice and put your lid on (don't forget this part - that would be a mess and very wasteful) and shake away!!
7. Take your martini glass, wine glass, sippy cup - your choice - and run the other half of the lemon around the rim to moisten.  Swirl the rim in your lemon zested sugar mixture to create a nice sweet rim around the glass.  This is an easy way to get fancy and impress your friends.
8. Best part - strain your lovely libation from the cocktail shaker into your lovely rimmed glass.  Top with chilled seltzer or like I said, Pellegrino, sprite, sparkling beverage, etc.

Cheers my friends!  Here's hoping we have an easy winter and summer will be upon us again before we know it!