Cocktail Corner: Winter Sips

As the rest of the country bundles up for December’s cold winter chill, South Florida is gearing up for sunny afternoons and evening holiday soirees. To put a little extra cheer in those ugly sweater parties, we’re offering a few winter-themed cocktails to enjoy.

When the weather gets frightful, sip on this adult version of hot chocolate with a peanut butter twist, courtesy of Waterstone Resort & Marina in Boca Raton.

Grown-Up Hot Chocolate

Serves 1

• 1 cup milk
• 2 cracked vanilla beans  soaked in vodka (substitute 1 tsp. vanilla extract for a
• non-alcoholic version) 1 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 tbsp. sugar
• 1 tbsp. peanut butter  (chunky or smooth)
• 4 mini Reese’s cups
• Whipped cream and hot salted peanuts to garnish
• Caramel and chocolate sauces  for additional garnish

Method:

1. Place vanilla beans in a shallow pan and immerse in vodka. Let soak for two days. Remove beans and reserve 1 1/2 oz. of vodka.
2. Whisk together milk, cocoa powder, vodka (or vanilla extract), and sugar in a small pot on the stove. Bring to a simmer and add peanut butter and two Reese’s cups, stirring well to eliminate clumps. Pour into a mug and serve with whipped cream and hot salted peanuts.
3. To serve frozen, let mixture cool before blending with ice. Add toppings and finish with remaining Reese’s cups and caramel and chocolate sauces.

Unless you’re lactose/dairy intolerant, just about everyone enjoys a festive glass of eggnog. But those tried and true recipes can get a little stales, especially after the fifteenth holiday party. Luckily Lavazza, the iconic Italian coffee company, joined forces with cocktail kingpin Dale DeGroff, aka King Cocktail, for a fresh take on a holiday classic.

Lavazza Harvest Moon Eggnog

• 1 oz Lavazza Santa Marta Blend (brewed)
• 1 1/2 oz Apple Cider
• 1 1/2 oz. Dickel Tennessee Whiskey
• 1 oz Simple Syrup
• 1 Small Egg
• Dash Dale DeGroff’s Pimento Bitters

Method:

Add all ingredients into a shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into an appropriate egg nog cup. Dust with nutmeg.

Recipe and photo courtesy of Lavazza.

Give that bar menu a kiss of candy with this sweet and minty martini from Sparkling Ice.

Candy Cane Martini

• 1 1/2 oz. Vanilla vodka
• 2 oz. Sparkling Ice Cherry Limeade
• 1 oz. crème de menthe liquor
• Splash of Grenadine

Method:

1. In a shaker, combine ice, vodka and crème de menthe and grenadine
2. Stir gently and strain into a chilled martini glass rimmed with crushed candy canes
3. Top with Sparkling Ice Cherry Limeade and garnish with a candy cane

Recipe and image courtesy of Sparkling Ice.