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Holiday Cocktails: Pumpkin Pie Martini

by Abbi McCollum November 16, 2012 2 Comments

Thanksgiving is a time when families come together. Inevitably, at some point during the big day, one of your relatives might bring up a debate point that could cause some contention – pumpkin pie or pecan pie. Don’t worry, the entertaining experts at HGTV.com are here to help. You can have the best of both worlds by cutting a big slice of pecan pie and pouring a Pumpkin Pie Martini. Recreate the classic pie in a martini glass with vanilla vodka, pumpkin spice liqueur, Kahlua, butterscotch schnapps and half-and-half.

Pumpkin Pie Martini

Want more festive cocktails? From Sake Sangria to a Warm Apple Pie Cocktail, keep your guests entertained with spirited holiday cocktails and party drinks.

Election Day Cocktails for Everyone

by Kayla Kitts November 6, 2012 8 Comments

Today marks an important day around the country and in U.S. history as we take part in another presidential election. Like many of you, I’ll be glued to the TV as election coverage comes piling in. Whether you’re celebrating Election Night out or at home, be sure to spend it in style with a politically-inspired cocktail (or mocktail) in hand. Try these recipes created with President Barack Obama and Republican nominee Mitt Romney in mind.

The Lobbyist Martini:

Election Day Cocktails: The Lobbyist Photo and recipe courtesy of Polar Seltzer

Ingredients

1 1/2 ounce gin
1 1/2 ounce vermouth
1 dash orange bitters
1 dash lemon bitters
Polar Ruby Red Grapefruit Seltzer

Directions

Shake with ice, and strain into a martini glass. Top with Polar Seltzer.

Cocktails for the Candidates

Happy Hour Happens: Classic Hot Toddy

by Abbi McCollum November 2, 2012 3 Comments

The air is getting cooler and the clocks are turning back an hour; fall is here and with that comes nights spent in front of the fire with a cold-weather cocktail. The recipe to try this week? A Classic Hot Toddy.

This soothing, warm drink was once believed to help with a cold or the flu. While modern-day doctors aren’t handing out prescriptions for this delicious drink, we recommend it to ease your transition into winter. The mixture of whiskey, lemon and honey is perfect to help you fall into cold weather.

Classic Hot Toddy

Is a hot toddy not your drink of choice? We’ve got 11 more warm-and-toasty cocktails.

In a festive, holiday mood? Make sure to check out our giant holiday package for our best decorating ideas, party planning tips and gift suggestions.

Happy Hour Happens: Bushwackers

by Abbi McCollum October 5, 2012 4 Comments

I’m taking a quick break from spooky Halloween cocktails (don’t worry, they will be back next week!) to share an amazing drink that I got to enjoy on my beach vacation this week. The Bushwacker is a beachside favorite due to its cool, chocolate-milkshake-like consistency that the sit-back-and-relax imbibers tend to embrace. Whether you are enjoying this frosty beverage on the coast or in your living room while dreaming about sandy beaches, it’s guaranteed to bring a smile to your face. Just be careful you don’t forget that this delicious concoction contains quite a bit of alcohol. They taste like they are simply sweet treats – make sure you don’t get bushwacked!

Bushwacker

Bushwacker (from Food.com)

Ingredients
1/2 ounce rum (Cruzan is the best, but use whatever brand you have)
1/2 ounce vodka (any brand)
1/2 ounce Baileys Irish Cream (or a similar off-brand name)
1/2 ounce Kahlua (or a coffee flavored off-brand name)
1/2 ounce amaretto liqueur (any brand)
1/2 ounce chococo chocolate-flavored liqueur
1/2 ounce Frangelico (I recommend it) (optional)
1/2 ounce creme de coconut (a MUST – “Coco Lopez” is best)
1 cup crushed ice (more or less to make the proper consistency)
3 dashes of grated nutmeg
1 tablespoon whipped cream
1 maraschino cherry

Directions
Put everything, except nutmeg, whipped cream and cherries in a blender and use enough ice that when blended will be the consistency of a milkshake. Blend, pour into glasses, and top with whipped cream, a cherry, and a couple of dashes of grated nutmeg.

Halloween Cocktails: Cemetery Punch

by Abbi McCollum September 28, 2012 7 Comments

Who doesn’t love a slimy worm in their Halloween punch? This creepy drink was created for entertaining children, so the recipe doesn’t call for alcohol. But in a season ripe with tricks and treats, nothing says you can’t add a few splashes of your favorite liquor to turn this into an adults-only sip.

Cemetery Punch

Want more spooky cocktails? From a zombie gut cocktail to a bloody brain shooter, keep your guests entertained with spirited Halloween cocktails and party drinks.

Halloween Cocktails: Bloody Brain Shooters

by Abbi McCollum September 21, 2012 7 Comments

Does it get more gory than this? Impress (or disgust) your guests by serving Bloody Brain Shooters at your Halloween party this year. Channel your inner mad scientist to create this creepy-looking shooter. Add chilled vodka and lime juice to a shot glass, then use a straw to drip Irish cream on top. The acidic lime juice will cause the cream to curdle, creating realistic blobs of “brain.”

Bloody Brain Shooter

If you want to display a bit more sophistication at your haunted gathering, try the fruity version of this cocktail which can be served in a champagne glass.

The Brain Cocktail

Want more spooky cocktails? From a zombie gut cocktail to a bloody brain shooter, keep your guests entertained with spirited Halloween cocktails and party drinks.

Halloween Cocktail: Milky Way Martini

by Abbi McCollum September 14, 2012 27 Comments

What would Halloween be without candy? This Milky Way martini combines coffee liqueur, chocolate vodka and cream for an adults-only version of the classic candy bar.

Milky Way Martini

Want more spooky cocktails? From a zombie gut cocktail to a bloody brain shooter, keep your guests entertained with spirited Halloween cocktails and party drinks.

Halloween Cocktail: Black Devil Martini

by Abbi McCollum September 7, 2012 5 Comments

Halloween is just a few short weeks away. Now is the perfect time to start planning which libations you’ll serve on the spookiest day of the year. The Black Devil Martini has a sophisticated look that is perfect for an adults-only Halloween bash; the bright orange sugar on the rim finishes the drink with a kick of fun.

Black Devil Martini Recipe

Want more spooky cocktails? From a zombie gut cocktail to a bloody brain shooter, keep your guests entertained with spirited Halloween cocktails and party drinks.

Happy Hour Happens: Easy Tailgating Drinks

by Abbi McCollum August 31, 2012 3 Comments

The much anticipated act of tailgating doesn’t necessarily take place during traditional happy hour times, but is undeniable that the hours spent preparing to cheer on your favorite team are indeed some of the happiest of all. Tailgating isn’t for the faint of heart – you have to pick a location, plan menus, set up tents and most importantly of all, stock the bar. Cold beers (with your favorite teams koozie of course!) are great for later in the day, but you have to start things off right – with a Bloody Mary.

We’ve got the perfect recipe to get your day going.

Oyster Bar Bloody Mary Cocktail Recipe

It’s recommended that you prepare this drink the night before so check out the recipe for Oyster Bar Bloody Mary Cocktail Recipe and head to the store.

Not a fan of Bloody Mary’s? This cold beer and whiskey punch is another perfect tailgating cocktail. Make sure you tell everyone the official name of this fun drink – it’s called a Hop, Skip and Go Naked!

Happy Hour Happens: Cool Summer Kalimotxo

by Abbi McCollum August 24, 2012 4 Comments

One of the best things about enjoying a drink over happy hour is giving yourself permission to not go all out with the libations. Sometimes, you don’t need a fancy glass, flavorful herbs or fresh squeezed juice – you just need a nice cold glass of whatever is in your kitchen. And that is the beauty of the Kalimotxo. That magnum bottle of red wine you were saving for a fancy dinner party? Get out the cork screw and tear into that bad boy. Now grab a can of your favorite soda and pour a mixture of the wine and cola over a big cup of ice. Your happy hour drink is served.