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closeCocktails that will have your holidays hoppin'
Matt Betts, McClatchy Interactive
In the spirit of the holidays many of us will try to find ways to relax after a hard day of last minute shopping, traveling or planning the New Years Eve party. The perfect sidekick to relaxing after a stressful day is ... a holiday cocktail! Whether having a romantic nightcap or entertaining your closest family and friends, cocktails will definitely bring back the holiday spirit.
While mingling through the cocktail section at Borders bookstore two books caught my eye: ‘101 Martinis’ by Kim Hasarud and 'The Daily Cocktail’ by Dalyn A. Miller and Larry Donovan. After reading the books and looking at the enticing photos, I was inspired to make some of these delicious drinks as well as creating some of my own.
From ‘101 Martinis’ by Kim Hasarud
Crantopi Martini
¾ tablespoon cranberry relish (not canned)
2 ounces red cranberry juice
1 ½ ounces orange vodka
*Simple syrup
Rosemary sprig, for garnish
In a cocktail shaker filled with ice combine cranberry relish, cranberry juice, orange vodka and simple syrup. Give it a good shake. Pour into glass and garnish with rosemary sprig.
From ‘The Daily Cocktail’ by Dalyn A. Miller and Larry Donovan
Dinky Car Vroom
1 tablespoon coconut rum
1 ounce Midori melon liqueur
1 ounce crème de menthe
In a cocktail shaker filled with ice combine rum, melon liqueur and crème de menthe. Give it a good shake and pour into chilled cocktail glass.
Below are martinis that were inspired by these two books:
Green Machine Martini
2 ounces Absolut Pears vodka
1 ounce Midori melon liqueur
1 ounce pineapple juice
Combine the vodka, melon liqueur and pineapple juice in a cocktail shaker filled with ice and stir until mixed. Strain into chilled martini glass.
Candy Cane Martini
1 ½ ounces vanilla vodka
1 ounce coconut rum
½ ounce pineapple juice
1 teaspoon grenadine
1 candy cane (reserve the ‘hook’ to garnish on side of glass)
For martini rim: ½ cup crushed candy cane and ¼ cup *simple syrup or honey
Crush the candy cane into very small pieces about the size of coarse sand. Dip the rim of the martini glass into the simple syrup, then into the candy cane mixture.
Combine the vodka, rum, pineapple juice and grenadine in a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into the rimmed martini glass. Hook the candy cane on the martini glass rim.
*Simple syrup:
½ cup sugar
½ cup hot water
Combine into container, stir until sugar is completely dissolved, then let cool before using.
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