Today we’re playing around with two different things that are pretty unique on their own…a traditional flip cocktail, and the vanilla-flavored liqueur, Licor 43.

Licor 43 is a Spanish liqueur, named after the 43 different flavoring ingredients (not just vanilla, but citrus and other fruits, spices, etc).  I was first introduced to it by a bartender in Chicago who made us coffee cocktails with it (delish!).

What is a flip cocktail?

So I’d actually had one before (in Scotland), and didn’t realize that it was a classification rather than what the bartender had named that particular cocktail.  Today it’s a basically just a combination of spirit (or fortified wine), a form of sugar, and a whole egg shaken together with ice.

The much longer history is kind of weird, involving sailors, hot alcohol, ale, molasses, and egg…a heated iron rod, multiple pitchers, and…honestly, you have to read it yourself. 

I’ll definitely take today’s version.  Like eggnog without the cream (or my delicious milk punch minus the sweetened condensed milk), this is a rich and indulgent dairy-free creamy bourbon (in this case) cocktail.

With its vanilla flavor and warm spices, Licor 43 pairs nicely with whiskey and the rich “oomph” of a flip cocktail.  It’s like a less thick version of eggnog, without the cream that deadens the flavor.  It’s indulgent but not heavy. 

The sweet aromatics in a good bourbon pair nicely with the vanilla and spices as well…this cocktail is definitely a winner.

READ THE POST

I have issues with alcohol + hot.  Seemingly-insurmountable issues.  You can keep you hot toddies and your mulled wine.  But I keep hearing about how amazing authentic Irish coffees are and felt like I had to truly give them a fair shot.  

Then I ran across this black raspberry Irish coffee cocktail and was INTRIGUED.

What makes it different than a regular Irish coffee??  Mostly it’s the addition of Chambord liqueur, in a couple guises.

Chambord is a black raspberry liqueur made in France, aged in old cognac barrels.  It’s super delish and you can use it in an easy Chambord Royale (with champagne).  But this is a more unique application, bringing something special to a traditional cocktail like the Irish coffee.

This recipe comes from Slane Irish Whiskey, and the addition of Chambord’s rich black raspberry flavor highlights the fruity and vanilla notes in the whiskey (to me at least).  

The pictures aren’t much (it’s hard to make this cocktail look sexy), but there is a lot to love about this interesting take on the Irish coffee.  I’m still not necessarily a “hot cocktail” fan, but this drink could maybe convert me! 

Though I kept thinking…hmm, would this be delicious as an cold coffee cocktail??

READ THE POST

Doesn’t that just look lovely??  I was recently introduced to this poinsettia punch cocktail by a coworker, and immediately fell in love with it. 

The flavor combo of berry, lemon, and warm spices is right up my alley, and the substitution of gin made it a no-brainer for me. 

I hadn’t heard of poinsettia punch before, though in doing some digging apparently the more traditional version has an orange and cranberry flavor profile, and often champagne.  It’s a fairly common cocktail around the holidays (hence the name)…and honestly this recipe is entirely different.  So much so, I’m not sure how it has the same name!  

READ THE POST

First of all, the look of this cocktail is just dreamy.  Second, it’s absolutely delish and you need it in your life immediately.

What we have here is “preservation punch”, a lovely whiskey cocktail where sweet berry preserves are offset with acidic lemon juice and balsamic vinegar.  The result is a balanced drink that makes me think of the transition between seasons.  

Beyond how pretty it is, this is a flavor profile that really works for me.  Partly because I’m a well-known lover of jam.  But also just because it doesn’t *taste* like jam. 

Once shaken with the other ingredients, the jam ends up providing texture and body without adding much sweetness. 

READ THE POST

Apparently I’m not the only one with a basil gin gimlet on the brain.  I hadn’t even heard of them until a couple weeks ago, when I saw an article about them that intrigued me.  I created a blog post draft because I have a stupid amount of fresh basil to use.

Then I tried out an awesome new restaurant last weekend and they just so happened to have a basil gimlet on their menu.  Serendipity for sure.  I tried out my own recipe the next day and I have to say that I AM IN LOVE.

I’ve already talked a little bit about the gimlet cocktail in my French gimlet post…this is an herbaceous twist on the tart and boozy classic and it’s perfect for this time of year. READ THE POST

As someone who has a gin and tonic with grapefruit garnish as my go-to drink, I always end up with peel-less grapefruits that need thrown away.  But it’s a shame to throw away all that delicious juice, so I keep my eyes out for a good recipe to use it in…ENTER THE BOHEMIAN COCKTAIL.

What is that, you might ask?  I honestly hadn’t heard of it either until recently.  It’s a simple gin, elderflower, and grapefruit cocktail that is totally delicious.  And that you need to make STAT.

I’ve adjusted the proportions slightly, to amp up the grapefruit a bit and back off the elderflower…to me it balances out the tart and sweet better and keeps it from being too sickly sweet. 

READ THE POST

I distinctly remember the first time I ever had a French gimlet.  I’d been visiting my BFF in L.A. for a pre-bachelorette weekend just the two of us. 

We’d been shopping all day for honeymoon necessities, and her (now) husband made us homemade pizzas while we rested our weary feet.

We scarfed pizza and she made us French gimlets…strong, tart, sweet.  We had one, then another, then a third.

And then she gave me a steely-eyed long look over the top of her glass, paused for a second, and said, “I can’t drive you to the airport.”  Thus began my $60 Uber to LAX…they pack a boozy punch.

What is a French gimlet?  It’s basically a regular gimlet, but with the addition of St. Germain liqueur…the elderflower adding a “je ne sais quoi” to the traditional gin and lime juice combo.

I can’t find an exact origin of the cocktail, but the regular gimlet is said to originate from the Royal Navy in the late 1800s or early 1900s as a way to get sailors to take their lime rations and avoid scurvy.  SIGN. ME. UP.READ THE POST