The Best Egg Nog Ever

My most favourite holiday egg nog mix is this:

-Just over Half a glass of Egg Nog (I use store bought)
-quarter glass of 2% milk
-a shot or two of Sailor Jerry's Spiced Rum
-dash of nutmeg or cinnamon (optional)

The thing about Sailor Jerry's Spiced Rum is that it is the perfect mixture of flavour. I think it's that carmel flavour but who knows. It is absolutely, by far (and I have tried many rums) the BEST rum to mix with egg nog.

Last year I posted some home made egnog recipies and other delicious ways to make egg nogg drinks. Click here to see.

Go - Try it!

Cheers

I Dream of Mexico...

Every Spring Break I go to Mexico. Sunny Days, Sandy Beaches, Beautiful Sunsets, All-inclusive resorts, Amazing Food - - - oh - - - and one helluva party!!!!

Spring Break is a few months away still, but I have a friend going to Cancun for her 30th birthday end of this month and it has be craving to be in Mexico too... sadly, I can't miss work to go... but here is a way to bring Mexico to me... and to you if you'd like to try these awesome drinks.... I shall do a post on Mexican Food eventually, but for now, let's focus on the booze!

3 parts Vodka

1 part Lime Juice

3 parts Corono

Rim martini glass with salt. Mix all but Corono with ice in shaker. Serve in prepared martini glass. Top with Corona and garnish with a lime wedge.

Also try this:

Mexican Greyhound

3 parts Vodka

1 part Grapefruit Juice

Mix all with ice in shaker. Serve in chilled martini glass. Garnish with a grapefruit twist.



Mexican Water Martini

1 part Tequila

1 part Lime Juice

Rim martini glass with salt. Mix with ice in shaker. Serve in prepared martini glass. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Mexiquita

1 part Tequila

1 part Melon Liqueur

1 splash Lime Juice

1 splash Soda Water

Mix all but Soda Water with ice in shaker. Serve in chilled martini glass. Top with soda water, garnish with lime wedge.


And not a martini but a shooter that messed us up in Mexico... It goes by many names but is all similar... Tequila Popper, Tequila Boom Boom, Tequilazo....

Here's how to make it and how to take it.

1 oz tequila

1 oz ginger ale or lemon-lime soda

I like to add a drop of colouring or flavouring for fun.

Follow these steps carefully.

1.Pour the ingredients into a shot glass.
2.Cover the glass with a napkin and your hand.
3.Slam the glass on the bar counter.
4.Drink while it's still fizzing.

Some fun alternatives we did in Mexico included:

Bartender would give us fizzing shot then shake our head side to side, round & round.

Bartenders would make us get on bar to drink then tip us upside down.

Bartenders would lift us up after shot and flip us over.

Mexican Martini is easy...

Champagne Martini's

In preparation for 2010 everyone is planning their exciting New Year's Eve Plans.

Ringing in a new year deserves some bubbly, and ringing in a new Decade, deserves something more than just bubbly....

Here are some martini recipes that include champange.

Enjoy!


Bubbly Martini

1 part chilled Vodka (try flavoured if you wish)

1 part chilled Champagne.

Pour vodka into chilled martini glass, top with Champagne. Garnish with a frozen strawberry, raspberry or fruit of your choice.

That is the most simplest martini to make. Experiment with different flavoured vodka. Feel free to add other splashes of flavour with fruit juice.


Sex & The City Flirtini

3 parts Vodka

1 part Raspberry Liqueur

4 parts Champange

1 spalsh Pineapple Juice

Mix with ice in a shaker. Serve in chilled glass. Garnish with pineapple wedge and cherry.

Caribou Martini

4 parts chilled Coffee Vodka

1 part chilled Champagne

Pour both into chilled martini glass. Garnish with lemon twist and coffee bean.

Dixie Stinger

6 parts Bourbon

1 part Peach Schnapps

1 part Champagne

1 splash Southern Comfort

Mix all but Champagne with ice in shaker. Serve in chilled martini glass. Top with Champagne. Garnish with peach slice.

Flirtini

1 part Rasberry Vodka

1 part Orange Liqueur

1 splash Lime Juice

1 splash Pineapple Juice

1 part Champagne (Brut)

1 splash Cranberry Juice

Muddle a few raspberries in the bottom of the chilled martini glass. Mix all but champagne with ice in shaker. serve in chilled martini glass. top with champagne. garnish with mint sprig.

Here are some more that have a Bellini taste....

Cape Cod Bellini

4 parts Champagne (Spumante)

1 part Vodka

1 part Chambord

Pour Champagne in chilled martini glass. Mix other ingredients with ice in shaker. Strain into Champagne. Garnish with Raspberry.

Bellini Martini

2 parts Vodka

1 part Peach Schnapps

1 part Champagne

Mix all but Champagne with ice in shaker. Serve in chilled martini glass. Top with Champagne and garnish with Raspberry.

Happy New Year to All... May 2010 Bring you all the joys and happiness you deserve.

Jazz up that Coffee with a Shot of this...

My rule is you can add almost any kind of booze to hot cocoa, coffee and if you are aware of appropriate flavour mixtures, tea too.

I drink flavoured tea such as peach, pomegranate, acai berry, etc. I generally don't add booze to these, but when they are iced teas in the summer I do - but we will get to that when the weather warms up.

For now, Hot Cocoa, Hot Coffee, and a shot of something to jazz it up...

Here are some of my faves that I recommend.

Hot Cocoa or Coffee.... Pick one of these.... Garnish with Whipped Cream and choco shavings....

Add Baileys

or

Add Dark Rum

or

Add Peppermint Schnapps

or

Add Butterscotch Schnapps

or

Add Vodka

or

Add Creme de Cacao

The list goes on... really, almost anything goes good...

Also, another drink I love in the winter...

Hot Spiced Cider
Non-Alcohol

•1 gal apple cider
•1 allspice
•1 clove
•1 cinnamon stick

Add allspice, clove and cinnamon stick to the apple cider and let simmer for 1 hour (or longer). This may not look like much spice, but it really does make a pleasantly spicey cider.

You can add dark rum, spiced rum or bourbon to the cider... for that extra kick ;)

Also, here is a martini that brings the essence of apple cider taste to it, in a cool, stiff martini...

Pear Cider Martini
Ingredients:
•3/4 oz. brandy
•1/2 oz. pear brandy
•4 to 5 oz. apple cider
•ground cinnamon
•ground nutmeg
•1 apple
•ice

Preparation:
Mix brandy, pear brandy and apple cider with ice in shaker. Add two dashes ground cinnamon. Add one dash ground nutmeg.
Shake.

Strain into a martini glass or serve on ice in cocktail glass. Garnish with an apple slice.

So deffo try the apple cider if you like... it's easy and warm and delicious... and next time you pour a nice cup of coffee, toss in a shot of something with kick ;)

Christmas Parties

Last year I tried to go to 3 holiday parties in one evening and made it to one. A mixture of alcohol and snow prevented me from getting to all of them in one evening.

This year I limited myself to two an evening. Weekends are busy and December only has a few weekends before the holidays, so they get pretty packed.

There are different kinds of Holiday Parties I attended this year, work, friends, family, acquaintences.... bars, houses, halls, resturants..... large, small, intimate, professional..... but all had amazing food, delicious drinks and great company.



Here are some things I look for at Holiday Parties:

Star Cookies - My friend Sarah makes these tiny gingerbread star cookies. She sandwiches them together with home-made carmel and they are delicious! Every year she saves me some, even if I can't make her annual shindig (I did make it this year!!! and was rewarded with EXTRA star cookies - SCORE!)

Fondue - fondue parties are so much fun... I am lucky to have a bunch of fondue stuff but haven't hosted a fondue party (yet). The first one I went to was the best a couple years ago they had three tables of fondue set up with everything you can imagine. I will do a fondue party post soon I promise.

Music - I like classic Christmas Music playing softly in the background, nothing loud or overpowering, my fave part of holiday parties (besides great food and drink) is mingling and chatting with people.

Festive Decor - I am not saying go nuts, but if it's a holiday party, we need some lights, greenery and red or gold colour themes people!

Naniamo Bars - Any home-made version of this is amazing, store bought is ok the rest of the year, but at Christmas, home-made it is.

Artichoke & Asiago Dip - I go crazy for this stuff.

Spinach Dip & Sourdough - What can I say? I am a dippy girl... I love dips, fondue, sauces.... Spinach Dip is a classic appie but I can make an AMAZING dip that an old friend taought me years ago. I will post the recipe soon.

Eggnog - Holiday Must. Avec Booze.

Alcohol - I like a wide selection. If it's a bar or restaurant it's all good, house parties should have a variety of booze or let guests know to BYOB. I often Bring a bottle of my fave when i go to a dinner party or house part, or if I host I plan a feature drink and have a wide selection of alternatives... I also tell people to bring a bottle for the bar that way we have even more variety and everyone can help themselves. Beer Drinkers... you are outta luck, I am not a beer drinker, I usually have a case in the fridge for my hubby and that's that.

Tarts - A typical dessert but if done right are memorable and a sweet treat & easy to serve at parties, less mess than cake or pie or other desserts.

Meat - Sausage Rolls, Swedish Meatballs, boneless wings, anything bite-size and hearty... I am all for vegetarian alternatives but we need to keep the carnivores happy also. I was a vegetarian for 10 years, but now, meat is on the menu always.

Safe Ride Home - If it's a small party, spare rooms, DD's or transit/cab ride home should be available or planned. Larger parties I think cab vouchers are a great neccessity, though I hope everyone is responsible enough to plan ahead and plan a safe way home.

I know that's fairly random and broad but those are the things I like most and/or need from Holiday Parties.

Egg Nog is Good, Egg Nog is Great...

Part of the Holiday Season for me involves Egg Nog [that and Mandarin Oranges]

My mother makes her own home-made Bailey's Every Year which is always a great addition to Egg Nog... along with Rum... I prefer Spiced Rum and my new fave this year is Sailor Jerry Rum.

It is the perfect blend and mixes so well with Egg Nog. If you like sweet, this you will love.

Other Sweet Egg Nog drinks include:

Butterscotch Schnapps and Eggnog

Coffee Liqueur and Egg Nog

Kaluha and Egg Nog

Brandy, Creme de Cacao and Eggnog

....the list goes on and on and on....

Martini Mandy loves... well.. Martini's... and here is an Egg Nog Martini... [I usually don't like creamy drinks but this one at Christmas is acceptable]

Egg Nog Martini

1 1/2 ounces Dark Rum

1 ounce Captain Morgan’s spiced rum

1/2 ounce Stoli Vanilla vodka

3 ounces Eggnog [ I often do 2 oz Egg Nog and 1 oz Milk ]

1/4 ounce Simple syrup

Prepare Chilled Martini Glass Rim by dipping in honey and then crushed graham Cracker Crumbs. Set Aside. Mix dark rum, spiced rum, Vodka and Eggnog/Milk with a dash of simple syrup with Ice in Shaker. Shake well. Strain into Prepared Martini Glass. Garnish with a cinammon stick.

I've never made my own Egg Nog, I usually do store bought and even dilute mine with about 50% Egg Nog and 50% Milk (but I don't like the thickness of eggnog and grew up with a mother who liked to make things last with 4 kids so she would mix a 4L jig [or gallong] with hald milk and half Egg Nog.... Side Note - don't bake a cake using Egg Nog instead of Milk... it leads to a rubbery substance in the cake... I won't go into details on how I learned THAT lesson....

Anyways, I searched online and found this great post and recipe for Home Made Egg Nog:

This year I finally decided to give homemade eggnog a try. I searched through countless recipes and tried quite a few to limited success. I ruled out anything that involved cooking the eggs, since I already knew that wasn't what I wanted. I did not like the recipes that needed multiple bowls for beating multiple components. Since I never exactly wanted to indulge in eggnog in the first place, I didn't want an overly indulgent recipe, either.

Finally, I came across this recipe, which I liked because I wouldn't have to separate and independently beat the eggs and because there is no cream to make it too rich. After a few tries, a few eggs and a few modifications, I had eggnog. And it wasn't bad!
This eggnog is very easy to make and is relatively low in fat. You can use any kind of milk, though I recommend low fat. The resulting nog is creamy and slightly eggy, without having a trace of store-bought taste. It reminds me of a thin, but enriched, milkshake. The vanilla and nutmeg really compliment eachother. The alcohol is entirely optional and you can substitute bourbon or rum to suit your tastes.

Homemade Eggnog
2 eggs, room temperature
4 tbsp sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp nutmeg, plus more for serving
2 cups low fat milk
2 oz. brandy (optional)

In a large bowl, whisk together eggs and sugar until light in color and sugar is dissolved. Whisk in vanilla, nutmeg, milk and brandy, if using. Strain into a small pitcher and chill.
Pour into glasses and sprinkle with additional nutmeg.
Makes 2 large or 4 small servings.

Personally....

This whole Raw Egg thing makes me uncomfortable... I guess with store-bought I feel assured it's been "taken care of" to be healthier and that I could always sue a ton of people if it made me sick... but home made - well, pretty much it's all up to you....

Personally, I like sticking to store-bought (diluted with milk) and adding a variety of booze to it for kick....

But you do as you wish ;)

Bellini's

I love Bellini's.

More specifically, the frozen bellini.

Wikipedia says:
A Bellini is a long drink cocktail that originated in Venice. It is a mixture of sparkling wine (traditionally Prosecco) and peach purée often served at celebrations. It is one of Italy's most popular cocktails. A frozen Bellini is the signature drink of Romano's Macaroni Grill.

I have to admit I have yet to master the art of making a frozen bellini at home, but we just bought a new blender which we hope will help us perfect this drink.

At Cactus Club, Milestones or many other resturants I order Bellini's that are made to perfection. Boston Pizza (and other resturants also) serve flavoured bellini's such as Mango and Raspberry, but the most common flavour is simply Peach.

I like all the flavours but prefer the blended frozen version to be topped with sangria.

Which by the way, I have amazing recipies for also... coming soon.

Here is a site who found the Milestones recipe:
North Space:

Milestone's uses “A cool blend of Lamb’s white rum, peach liqueur and champagne, topped with sangria” however the “peach liqueur” is actually peach drink flavoured crystals [the grocery store has packets] mixed with 7-Up. Milestones mix it all up in a slushy machine ready to pour into a martini glass, top it with sangria around the edges, and garnish with a plastic toy monkey, mermaid or elephant. [Frogstone grill uses frogs]

You can do this....

Try this:

-9 parts 7-Up mixed with peach crystals (frozen beforehand to form the slush.. I have tried to do this blended with ice and it isn't as tastey)
-12 parts champagne
-4 parts white rum
-“Sangria” topping [I will have sangria recipes coming soon, for now try red wine, 7-Up, brandy & orange juice.

Be sure to fiddle with the ingredients to suit your personal taste. I usually just pop up the street to Milestones, Cactus Club, Earl's or one of those kinds of places that have slurpee machines and ingredients ready to serve me.... at home it tends to get messy and takes time to sort out exactly how you like yours.... but for those not in Vancouver or near a bellini haven like myself.... give it a go!!!

My only advice about bellini's is to sip slowly.... or you will get a brain freeze!!!

Cosmo Varies from bartender to bartender....

Saturday Evening I went to a friend's birthday bash at an Irish Pub and although they allegedly had superb food [a friend had Bangers & Mash that was apparently delish...look at this photo, mmmm...]

They didn't have martini's *gasp* The server, who I actually knew through a mutual friend, said "Well, I could probably make a cosmo"

*gasp* I can't imagine what an Irish Pub's version of a cosmo might be.... I opted for whiskey... I do like whiskey... but I am not a beer drinker [despite the numerous beers they had available... their whiskey selection was equally impressive]

Anyways, it got me thinking, of just how different a cosmo is at different bars... I mean it SHOULD be straight forward, but too often people mix, adjust and create.... and I love it...

Here are a few of my fave versions of the popular Cosmopolitan Martini:

#1
-8 parts vodka
-2 parts cranberry juice
-1 part lime cordial
-1 part triple sec

Garnish with a Lemon Twist.

#2
-4 parts citron vodka
-3 parts triple sec
-1 part carnberry
-1 part lemon juice

Garnish with a Lemon Slice

#3
-2 parts vodka
-1 part triple sec
-1 part lime cordial
-1 part cranberry juice

Garnish with a lime wedge

#4
-8 parts vodka
-4 parts triple sec
-1 part lime juice

Garnish with a citrus slice or wedge.

#5
-8 parts vodka
-8 parts carnberry juice
-4 parts lime juice
-4 parts grand marnier

Garnish with a Lime Twist.

Chocolate Lovers Dream - Martini Recipies

Chocolate Dreams

-2 parts vodka
-1 part Bailey's
-1 part Creme de cacao

Pour all into a shaker with ice. Strain into chilled martini glass. Top glass with whipped cream and a drizzle of bailey's

Chocoalte Martini

-6 parts vodka
-1 part creme de cacao

Garnish with a Choclate curl.

This one is good if you like those Terry's Orange Chocolate's that you smack to crack.... mmmm

Chocolate Devil Martini

-3 parts vodka
-1 part creme de cacao
-1 part melon liqueur
-1 part cranberry juice
-1 part orange juice

Garnish with an Orange slice

Another Orange one (even better than previous if you like the orange/chocolate combo - i know some do not)

Chocorange Martini

-2 parts vodka
-2 parts creme de cacao
-1 part orange brandy

Garnish with an orange slice.

I, as a rule, do not do banana drinks... too often they come out icky... I love banana's but not that fake banana flavouring... however, this one is really quite yummy.

Chocolate Monkey

-6 parts vodka
-5 parts creme de cacao
-1 part banana liqueur

Garnish with a chocolate dipped banana slice.



I could go on - there are so many chocolate martini's.... but I will save those for another day ;)

**TIP - If you use thick chocolate syrup to line your glass before carefully putting drink in - you can acchieve neat designs such as this:

Tim Hortons

Tim Hortons is a Canadian favourite. It has amazing coffee, freshly made sandwiches and sweet donuts.

I love that Tim Hortons is open 24 hours for me to eat, drink, enjoy whenever I want.

Our three hot chocolates in the snow

Today it snowed. My daughter and I went out to play and my husband ran to Timmy's to grab us all hot chocolate. Sure, I added Bailey's to mine, but I needed a lil' pick me up after a massive snowball fight with a 6 year old.

The hot chocolate warmed me up, the Bailey's picked me up, and we all move donward with our lazy Sunday afternoon.

I recommend French Vanilla Coffee at Tim Hortons or Frozen Iced Latte in the summer. I also love their chicken salad sandwich (toasted on whole wheat bun) or their chilli.... mmmmmm.... they have a variety of donuts including seasonal flavours but my pick is always the Maple Dip with Bavarian Cream inside - yummy.

There are a few Tim Horton's in the USA, but in Canada they are often found every few blocks, especially in Ontario. Deffo check one out if you haven't.... well worth it :)

Sex With An Alligator Martini Recipie

Sex with an Alligator doesn't sound plesant or safe but the martini "Sex with an Alligator" is actually quite sweet & tastey.

2 parts Coconut Rum

2 parts Midori Melon Liqueur

2 parts Pineapple Juice

1 part Jägermeister

1 splash Chambord

Pour Rum, Midori and Pineapple Juice on ice in shaker. Strain into chilled Martini Glass. Drizzle with Chambord and let settle on bottom of glass. Top with Jägermeister.

So many wonderful drinks to try - I often go through phases of favourites and stock up on it's ingredients.

Alcoholics Don't be scared

I do mix MEAN mocktini's also.

I used to work at a teen-dance and we made awesome mocktails to enjoy.

Here are a few delicious ones to try:

Pina Mocka-Coladatini

- 3 parts pineapple juice
- 2 parts cream of coconut

PMS

- 1 part cranberry juice
- 1 part orange juice
- 1 part soda (7up or Sprite equiv.)

I had the "PMS" drink when I was pregnant as a "treat" to myself. Often i would use lime juice also.

Another way I "invent" drinks is 7up or Spite, some juice (pick a flavour any flavour, more exotic the better) then a flavoured vodka.... but more on that later... this is the VIRGIN VERSIONS....

Pearls and Lace

- 1 part rootbeer
- 1 part orange soda
- 1 part cola
- 1 part lemon-lime soda
- 1 splash of lemonade

It sounds crazy but it is sooo tastey!

Minty Martini's

Christmas is coming and candy canes are a beautiful garnish for martini's. Great for stirring, sucking, swirling, and just making a martini look pretty.



Remember you can use chocolate syrup, candies, candy canes, whatever you want to garnish your glass and drink to make it festive. Just wait til after my holiday party to see photos of the things I do to my drinks ;)

Here are a few recipies:

Martini Stinger

-2 parts Gin
-1 part creme de Menthe

Pour and Shake on Ice. Strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with mint leaf or candy cane.

After Eight Martini

-1 part vodka
-2 parts bailey's
-1 part creme de menthe (green)

Pour and Shake on Ice. Strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with mint leaf, After Eight Stick or candy cane.



Chistmastini

-1 part vodka
-1 part white creme de cacao
-1 part creme dr menthe (green)

Pour and Shake on Ice. Strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with shaved chocolate or candy cane.

Grasshopper Martini

-6 parts vodka
-5 parts creme de cacao
-1 part creme de menthe



Pour and Shake on Ice. Strain into chilled martini glass.

Raspberry Choco tini

-2 parts vodka
-2 parts chocolate liqueur
-1 part white creme de cacao
-1 part irish cream
-1 part raspberry liqueur

Rim martini glass with melted chocolate and put in freezer to chill and harden. Pour Vodka and Creme de Cacao into shaker. Shake on Ice. Strain into chilled martini glass. Now mix Chocolate Liqueur, Irish Cream and Raspberry Liqueur into shaker with ice. Slowly Strain into martini glass to create a layer onto of vodka/creme de cacao. Garnish with chocolate shavings and raspberries.