Tag Archives: cocktail recipe

Vodka Cocktails with a Valentine’s Day Twist

Fresh organic red smoothie with apple, watermelon, pomegranate,

What’s even better than strawberries dipped in chocolate? Valentine’s Day cocktails of course! Whether you’re planning a romantic night on the town with your very own Christian Grey or a “Fifty Shades of Grey” movie night in with the girls, delicious cocktails are must. Here’s a few aphrodisiac recipes bound to awaken your inner Anastasia Steele.

cocktail with strawberries, ice, and mint

Cupid’s Arrow
2 oz. Van Gogh Acai-Blueberry
4 oz. Pink Lemonade
Serve on the rocks
Pour vodka into a rocks glass with ice and top with pink lemonade. Garnish with an arrow, created by a cocktail pick with blueberries and small strawberry ‘arrow’ on the tip.

old fashioned jars with vivid red strawberry cocktail

Dolce Vita
1 ½ oz. Van Gogh Coconut
½ oz. Vanilla liqueur
½ oz. Orange syrup*
2 Strawberries
Splash of Rosé Champagne
1 Chocolate covered strawberry
Muddle strawberries with the syrup, add ice, vodka and liqueur. Shake and strain into a martini glass. Top with Champagne. Garnish with chocolate covered strawberry. (*Orange syrup: 1 cup orange juice to 1 ½ cups sugar. Boil until dissolved, let cool)

Chocolate Martini

French Kiss
1 oz. Van Gogh Espresso
1 oz. Chocolate liqueur
1 oz. White Chocolate liqueur
Splash of cream
Pour ingredients in a shaker over ice. Shake and serve in a chilled martini glass.

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Milk Plus Cocktails Inspired by A Clockwork Orange

milk plus A Clockwork Orange

As a huge horror movie fan, I’m particularly partial to Stanley Kubrick’s classic, A Clockwork Orange. Though I hope to never encounter Alex DeLarge and his band of droogs, I’ve always found the scenes in the Korova Milk Bar fascinating. After trying Milk Plus for the first time with a recipe I found online, it has officially become one of my favorite cocktails. Someday, I intend to have a Clockwork Orange-themed Halloween party featuring this Milk Plus recipe.

Ingredients:

1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon orange blossom water
2.25 taplespoons (1.5 shots) bourbon
1 teaspoon brown sugar
A little under .5 cup (6 tablespoons) whole milk
A pinch of nutmeg to top off

Directions:

In a cocktail shaker add the vanilla extract, orange blossom water, and brown sugar. Gently breakdown the sugar to mix with the liquids. Then add bourbon, milk, and ice cubes. Shake vigorously until the top is foamy. Serve into 16oz cup for one or 8 oz glass for two. It can also be served in champagne, scotch glasses, or over ice. Sprinkle a pinch of nutmeg on top and enjoy.

Notes:

Whole milk gives the drink a thicker taste and smoother texture. However, if dietary preferences dictate, other milks may be used just add an extra tablespoon of milk to get closer to the desired results.

I tried it with Bushmills and Johnny Walker (red, gold reserve, and black). But, I had the best taste and experience with Jim Beam.

All ingredients can be easily found at the grocery store except Orange Blossom Water. It’s an herb used mostly in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines. Most speciality herb and spice stores should have it. Since it has such a unique flavor and taste, finding a substitute is difficult. If you’re really pressed, orange extract is the best alternative and can be found in any grocery store.

Disclaimer: There is no direct correlation between this Milk Plus cocktail and the ultra violence depicted in A Clockwork Orange. 

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The Yoga Cocktail

In an effort to relax and rejuvenate, I’ve been getting back into yoga.  Having never been talented at sports, I’ve grown to really enjoy yoga as a personal uncompetitive experience.  Though I love a good Hot Vinyasa class (traditional Hot Yoga is too hot), I’ve found that I just may not be as spiritual as I once believed myself to be.

In my last yoga class, the instructor announced that they were holding an upcoming yoga retreat in the Catskills.  It would involve hiking, yoga, and other spiritual activities.  My first thought was, “That’s perfect! Where do I sign up?”  When I went to the instructor after my end of class meditation to get more information, she said that she forgot to mention that it was a silent retreat.  As in you can’t talk at all for the entire weekend.  As much as I love meditation, I don’t think I could comfortably be alone with my thoughts for that long.  I really need more of a resort style yoga retreat where you wake up at noon, take a yoga class, drink a cocktail, and spend the rest of the afternoon tanning on the beach (with sunscreen of course).

I once had these awesome (healthy-ish) cocktails at Fashion Week that I’ve renamed The Yoga Cocktail.  Consisting of a delightful mixture of Vitamin Water Zero and Organic Vodka, you should try one of these low-cal concoctions ASAP.

*Be sure to hydrate first before engaging in any activities after yoga.