Madtini’s 12 Days of Holiday Cocktails

12 Days of Madtini Holiday Cocktails
This is our second ‘Madtini 12 Days of Cocktails’ list. It’s been a fun challenge finding new and interesting drinks to share. We hope all of the Madtini readers have a safe and happy holidays. Remember to enjoy your drinks in moderation, and never drink and drive. Have a sober friend drive you home, take a cab, transit or stay over.

Merry Christmas from the entire Madtini Labs crew, even Manuel our unpaid olive-pitting intern who is still recovering from a recent garnishing incident gone horribly wrong. Our best wishes are with his family at this difficult time. (and yes, we are kidding – Manuel is just fine and has been deservingly promoted to Junior Ice Management Technician… still unpaid) ; )

1. Christmas Cosmo

Christmas Cosmo
Ingredients

  • 2 oz rosemary infused vodka
  • 1/2 oz Cointreau
  • 1 oz cranberry juice
  • rosemary sprig
  • frozen cranberries

Preparation
Chop up a few sprigs of rosemary and add them to your vodka for a few days. Add the rosemary vodka, cointreau and cranberry juice to a cocktail shaker half-filled with ice. Shake a few times and then strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Spear a few cranberries with a rosemary sprig and then float it on top of the drink.

2. Very Berry Xmas

Very Berry Xmas
Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 oz Raspberry Vodka
  • 1/4 oz fresh lime juice
  • 1/4 oz simple syrup
  • 1/4 cup raspberries

Preparation
Combine the raspberry vodka, lime juice and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker half-filled with ice. Shake vigorously, then strain into a chilled martini glass. Add 3-4 raspberries as a garnish.

3. Eggnog Martini

Eggnog Martini
Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 oz eggnog
  • 1 1/2 oz vodka
  • 1 1/2 oz amaretto
  • nutmeg
  • cinnamon

Preparation
Combine the eggnog, vodka and amaretto in a cocktail shaker half-filled with ice. Shake well then strain into a chilled martini glass. Sprinkle a pinch of nutmeg and cinnamon on top and serve.

4. Poinsettia Cocktail

Poinsettia Cocktail

Ingredients

  • 2 oz vodka
  • 2 oz prosecco
  • 4 oz cranberry juice
  • Crushed ice
  • 2 strips orange zest

Directions
Combine prosecco, vodka and cranberry juice in a large-stemmed wine glass. Add the crushed ice and stir gently as the mixture becomes completely chilled. Drop in the strips of orange and serve to your eager guests.

5. Candy Cane Martini

Candy Cane Martini
Ingredients

  • 1 oz Vodka
  • 1 oz Peppermint Schnapps
  • 1 oz creme de cacao
  • 1 oz  light cream
  • crushed candy canes

Preparation
Crush a candy cane into a fine dust. Wet the rim of the glass with peppermint schnapps, drip it into the crushed candy cane dust and place in the freezer to chill. Combine the peppermint schnapps, vodka, creme de cacao and light cream in a cocktail shaker half-filled with ice. Shake a few times and strain into the chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a candy cane and serve.

6. The Warhol Crush

Warhol Crush
Ingredients

  • 12 fresh rosemary needles
  • 6 fresh raspberries
  • 3/4 oz simple syrup
  • 1 1/2 oz Martini & Rossi Rosso Vermouth
  • 2 oz cranberry juice

Preparation
Strip off a dozen rosemary needles and add them to the bottom a mixing glass with the raspberries and simple syrup. Muddle the items gently. Add ice, then add vermouth and cranberry juice. Shake the ingredients, then strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with three raspberries speared by a rosemary sprig.

7. The Grinch

The Grinch

Ingredients

  • 3 oz of Melon Liqueur
  • 1.5 oz of fresh lemon juice
  • tbsp simple syrup
  • 1 Maraschino cherry

Preparation
Add the melon liqueur, lemon juice and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker half-filled with ice. Shake vigorously, strain and serve. Add a maraschino cherry as a garnish representing the Grinch’s shrunken heart.

8. Winter Whiteout

Winter Whiteout
Ingredients

  • 2 oz of Malibu Snowflake Rum
  • 2 oz of White Cranberry Juice
  • Club Soda
  • Twist of Lemon

Preparation
Fill a highball glass full of ice. Add the Malibu Snowflake Rum, white cranberry juice and club soda; stir. Add a twist of lemon as a garnish and serve with a smile.

9. Snow-jito

Snow-jito
Ingredients

  • 2 oz of freshly squeezed lime juice
  • 2 oz of Malibu Snowflake Rum
  • 3 oz of club soda
  • 4 mint leaves
  • 1 tsp of sugar

Preparation
Muddle 4 mint leaves, lime juice and sugar in the bottom of a high ball glass. Add ice, rum and club soda. Garnish with a sprig of mint.

10. S’Mores Delight

S'Mores Delight
Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp. creamy peanut butter
  • 1 tbsp. chocolate syrup
  • 1/2 oz. Kahlua
  • 1/2 oz. dark rum
  • 1/2 oz. vodka
  • 1 oz. Baileys
  • Toasted marshmallows

Preparation
Drizzle chocolate syrup on the inside of a cocktail glass and then place the glass in the freezer to chill.

Combine the creamy peanut butter and chocolate syrup together in a glass, stir in the Kahlua until the mixture is well blended. Continue to stir in the vodka, dark rum and Baileys. Add the mixture to a cocktail shaker half-filled with ice. Shake well until the mixture is chilled. Strain the mixture into the chilled cocktail glass. Roast two marshmallows over a flame and then add to the drink and serve.

11. Mexicocoa

Mexicocoa
Ingredients

  • 1 oz. blanco tequila
  • 6 oz. Baileys
  • 1 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp. cinnamon
  • Pinch of chili powder
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper
  • Splash of agave nectar
  • Paprika
  • Cinnamon stick

Preparation
Add cocoa powder, chili powder, cinnamon and cayenne pepper to a saucepan on low heat. Stir lightly for a few minutes until you can begin to smell the roasting spices in the air. Using a wooden spoon, slowly add the Baileys. Bring the mixture to a slow simmer. Next, stir in the agave nectar and then remove from the heat. Rim your mug or cocktail glass by dipping it into a saucer of agave nectar and then into a saucer of paprika. Add the tequila, then the hot cocoa and Baileys mixture. Stir with a cinnamon stick and then serve.

12. The Three Wise Men

Three Wisemen
Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 oz. Jagermeister
  • 1 1/2 oz. Vodka
  • 1 1/2 oz. Peppermint Schnapps

Preparation
Add the ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Stir, then pour into a chilled cocktail glass and serve.

12 Days of Madtini Holiday Cocktails #1: Christmas Cosmo

Christmas Cosmo The Cosmopolitan originated in the 1970s in either Provincetown, MA, Minneapolis, or San Fancisco, depending on who you are talking to at the time. But no one can argue that its popularity really exploded during the glory days of ‘Sex & the City’. This holiday version of the ‘Cosmo’ adds the taste of rosemary to the equation. Add a few cranberries and this drink is ready to for any ‘sophistimacated’ Christmas celebration.

Ingredients

  • 2 oz rosemary infused vodka
  • 1/2 oz Cointreau
  • 1 oz cranberry juice
  • rosemary sprig
  • frozen cranberries

Preparation
Chop up a few sprigs of rosemary and add them to your vodka for a few days. Add the rosemary vodka, cointreau and cranberry juice to a cocktail shaker half-filled with ice. Shake a few times and then strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Spear a few cranberries with a rosemary sprig and then float it on top of the drink.

Join the Madtini party on Twitter and Facebook

12 Days of Madtini Holiday Cocktails #3: Eggnog Martini

Eggnog MartiniThere are arguments over the origins of this iconic holiday drink. Some claim it was born in medieval England from a hot drink served in a carved wooden mug called a ‘noggin’. Another theory is that it came from ‘egg and grog’ a common drink during Colonial times made from milk and rum. Wherever it originated, it has become a staple of holiday celebrations ever since. This version is made with vodka and amaretto, giving it a hint of almond taste. Add a pinch of nutmeg and cinnamon for a celebration of spicy holiday aromas.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 oz eggnog
  • 1 1/2 oz vodka
  • 1 1/2 oz amaretto
  • nutmeg
  • cinnamon

Preparation
Combine the eggnog, vodka and amaretto in a cocktail shaker half-filled with ice. Shake well then strain into a chilled martini glass. Sprinkle a pinch of nutmeg and cinnamon on top and serve.

Join the Madtini party on Twitter and Facebook

12 Days of Madtini Holiday Cocktails #4: Poinsettia Cocktail

Poinsettia Cocktail
The Poinsettia has become a symbol of Christmas throughout the world. Its association with the holiday began in 16th century Mexico, where the plant originates. The legend follows that a young girl too poor to provide a gift for Jesus’s birthday gathered what she thought were weeds alongside the road and placed them in front of the church altar. Soon the weeds transformed into beautiful crimson poinsettias. From the 17th century, Franciscan friars in Mexico have used the plants in their Christmas celebrations. The star-shaped leaf pattern symbolized the Star of Bethlehem, and the crimson red colour represents the blood sacrifice of Jesus.

Ingredients

  • 2 oz vodka
  • 2 oz prosecco
  • 4 oz cranberry juice
  • Crushed ice
  • 2 strips orange zest

Directions

Combine prosecco, vodka and cranberry juice in a large-stemmed wine glass. Add the crushed ice and stir gently as the mixture becomes completely chilled. Drop in the strips of orange and serve to your eager guests.

Join the Madtini party on Twitter and Facebook

12 Days of Madtini Holiday Cocktails #5: Christmas Cane Martini

Christmas Cane MartiniWhile our tastes for cocktails tend to run to more simple drinks like an Old Fashioned or a Gin & Tonic, not including a cocktail made with candy canes in our list of 12 holiday drinks would seem incomplete.

The candy cane first appeared in mid-17th century in Europe.  Candy sticks were produced by confectioners in a time-intensive process of pulling, twisted and cutting the sugar sticks completely by hand. The cane shape is said to have originated by a choirmaster at Cologne Cathedral in Germany, who bent the straight candy sticks into canes representing a shepherd’s hook and handed them out to children at church services.

This cocktail features a rim of crushed candy canes and a delicious combination of peppermint schnapps and creme de cacao.

Ingredients

  • 1 oz Vodka
  • 1 oz Peppermint Schnapps
  • 1 oz creme de cacao
  • 1 oz  light cream
  • crushed candy canes

Preparation
Crush a candy cane into a fine dust. Wet the rim of the glass with peppermint schnapps, drip it into the crushed candy cane dust and place in the freezer to chill. Combine the peppermint schnapps, vodka, creme de cacao and light cream in a cocktail shaker half-filled with ice. Shake a few times and strain into the chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a candy cane and serve.

Join the Madtini party on Twitter and Facebook

12 Days of Madtini Holiday Cocktails #12: The Three Wise Men

Three Wisemen

Our first drink of the holiday season comes from Jagermeister, the well-known German made apertif. The rich flavor of the herb and spices are followed by the cool taste of the peppermint schnapps.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 oz. Jagermeister
  • 1 1/2 oz. Vodka
  • 1 1/2 oz. Peppermint Schnapps

Preparation

Add the ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Stir, then pour into a chilled cocktail glass and serve.

Join the Madtini party on Twitter and Facebook

Spice up the weekend with a Candied Ginger Raspberry Martini

Candied Ginger MartiniGinger root is a versatile food that can be used for everything from a spice in cooking to helping to prevent motion sickness and nausea – so why not cocktails. The Candied Ginger Martini takes quite a bit of work, so make sure you have a few friends around to help you enjoy all the fruits of your labor.

Ingredients

  • 2 oz vodka
  • 1/2 oz fresh orange juice
  • 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
  • 1/2 oz honey syrup
    (1/4 oz honey / 1/4 oz water)
  • 4 raspberries
  • candied ginger slices for garnish

Preparation
Candied Ginger: Create candied ginger slices by boiling a 3 cups of water in a shallow covered saucepan. Add 1/2 cup of thinly sliced ginger and 1 cup of sugar. Let stand for 15 minutes. Drain off liquid (save and use for ginger syrup), and place ginger slices in over at 200 degrees until slices are dry but still chewy. Let cool and cover the ginger slices in sugar and set aside.

Drink: Muddle a tablespoon of grated ginger, 4 raspberries and honey syrup in a cocktail shaker. Add vodka, juices and ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a few pieces of the candied ginger and serve.

Join the Madtini party on Twitter and Facebook

This drink recipe was adapted from this post at Nibble.com.

Halloween Cocktails #4, The Monster Mash

The Monster MashIn 1962, struggling actor and singer Bobby Pickett was performing with his group The Cordials. One night he did a monologue imitation Boris Korloff while performing the song ‘Little Darlin’ by the Diamonds. The audience went nuts and his fellow band members encouraged Bobby to do something with the Karloff imitation.

Pickett was partially inspired by the current dance craze, the Mashed Potato. The “Monster Mash” went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on October 20 of 1962, just in time for Halloween.

This Monster Mash is a smooth blended drink, and it ideally suited to help any reluctant monster to get his dance-on.

Ingredients

  • 2 oz pineapple juice
  • 1 1/2 oz orange juice
  • 1/2 oz Malibu Coconut rum
  • 1/2 oz tequila
  • 1/2 oz white rum
  • 1/2 oz vodka

Preparation
Add all the ingredients to a blender along with 1 cup of ice. Blend until smooth, then strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with two thin slices of apple.

Happy Hallowe’en from Madtini.

Join the Madtini party on Twitter and Facebook

The Monster Mash cocktail was adapted from the Bar None Drinks web site.

Sunday Sunday: a Raspberry Lemon Drop Martini

Raspberry Lemon Drop MartiniIts been a long Sunday afternoon in October, from a full breakfast at the local Irish Pub to Madtini Lab planning meetings to Halloween cocktail testing, not to mention the finale of Mad Men Season 4 coming up tonight. It was sheer luck that I was looking at my Twitter stream when one of our Madtini friends, Jennifer (@RealSweets) from LA had posted pictures of a couple of drinks she had enjoyed this weekend.

The one that caught our eye was a picture of the Raspberry Lemon Drop Martini. Our Madtini Lab intern quickly found a recipe online and we were in business. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

  • 3 oz vodka
  • 1 oz Chambord
  • 4 tsp fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tsp sugar

Preparation:

Wet the rim of a chilled cocktail glass with a lemon. Cover the rim of the cocktail glass by turning it sugar laid out in a small shallow plate. Combine the vodka, lemon juice and sugar in a cocktail shaker half-filled with ice cubes. Shake, then strain into the chilled cocktail glass. Add the Chambord slowly by pouring it over an upturned spoon.

Join Madtini now on Twitter and Facebook