Okay folks, something totally frivolous today. I’m having a small party and I’m tasked with serving a new cocktail. Seems this group is a little bored with our usual red wines. (Yes, I agree – how could anyone be bored with red wine?) I’m no mixologist, so I did what all modern women do. Right. Turned to Google.
First I searched for Christmas Cocktails. That brought up all sorts of things made with cranberries and peppermint and egg nog. Sounds more like dessert to me.
Next, I tried Cheese and Cocktails. See, I’m also supposed to serve unusual cheese at this soiree. Mostly, I read, one serves wine with cheese. Ha! Tell me something I don’t know! Cocktails with cheese are unorthodox. Oh. Now you tell me. Well, unorthodox isn’t hideous, right?
But I did find a Blue Cheese Martini video, which is just a little too out there for this crowd. And the Diamond is Forever Martini video, at $18,000 was slightly more than I’d planned to spend on my next car.
I checked out a recipe for something a bit cheaper and found Espresso Martinis: Because Sometimes You Need A Little Jitter In Your Glass. Reading the recipes made me jittery.
Another link proclaimed the Modern Drama: Cocktails and Cheese Are the New Trend. Us? Trendy? Is that a synonym for unorthodox? Who knew? But the bad news: choose the cocktail first. Now they tell me. I already bought a refrigerator full of the wrong cheese.
Moving on. Food Network had some great ideas from my BFFs Paula, Giada, Alton, Sandra and more which they assured me were The Best Cocktail Recipes. Here, I found things like the Snowtini, the Christmas Cocktail made with pear juice and pomagranate seeds, and Cider Jack Cocktail. None of which were suggested for pairing with cheese.
Now what?
I’m thinking Cabernet, Brunello, even Malbec and Chianti. Unless I find something perfect very quickly with a little help from my friends…. Any suggestions?
Hey there Diane,
I do like the sound of that snowtini girl. Yum. But then I like my Cosmos and Appletinis.
If you want to play it safe, stick with the wine. Depending on the cheese you’re serving, a smooth Merlot would work or a Pinot Noir perhaps. They wouldn’t make your tongue curl up to much from the dryness of a Cab or Zin. And a nice buttery Chardonay would work nicely too.
Have a great time tonight and I wish you great success with your party!
Cheers!!!!
I’m thinking the Snowtini AFTER everyone leaves, hmmm? 🙂
Yeah, I’m a wine girl myself. Although my husband and I got into Campari with bitter orange soda while we were in Italy. Yum!
That sounds yummy — and easy, too. Tx!
Diane, I like the way you think re wine. If you want to add something festive but very easy, consider prosecco with a bit of pomegranate juice. (Pom brand juice is sold in the produce section of my local grocery stores.) The blend is festive in color and skews tart rather than sweet. Whatever you decide on, have fun.
I ended up with something like this, Pat. I used prosecco, pomegranate juice, pear juice, and for garnish, some pomegranate seeds in the bottom of the glass. Big hit. Everyone had several!
I agree that the Snowtini sounds yummy. I’m more of a beer drinker. Wine puts me to sleep. Beer and pretzels and I’m a happy camper! But the espresso martini sound good, too. I’ll try anything. Hope you find the perfect cocktail, and I’m sure everyone will love the cheese no matter what drink you serve. Have fun!
Soooooo true about the cheese, Lynn! Can’t go wrong with cheese.
I’m no expert in cocktails, unfortunately ;), but I did come across this in “Marie Claire”:
Gingerbread Apple Cocktail
2 oz. Domaine de Canton
1 oz. vanilla vodka
2.5 oz. apple cider
A few drops of lemon juice
Orange zest
Agave syrup
Line a chilled martini glass lightly with agave syrup on a dish followed by spiced graham cracker crumbs. Place all ingredients except for orange zest in a shaker and shake vigorously. Strain into glass. Freshly grate orange zest on drink and serve immediately.
I imagine the apples pair well with cheese… In MN they say that “apple pie without cheese is like a hug without a squeeze.” LOL I *swear* I’m not drinking!
Wow! Sounds like I’d need to hire a mixologist to make it?? Love the pie/cheese/squeeze thing. 🙂
I used to be a red wine drinker until the doctor told me it was making my headaches worse. 🙁 From what you have listed I think the Christmas Cocktail looks yummy! I wouldn’t mind giving August’s suggestion a try either.
Agreed!
I’m definitely a wine girl, but one New Years Eve, my daughter and I had a cosmo. one led to 2 which led to 3 which led to…well as you can probably guess, I fell asleep on the couch and so did she. LOL What fun.
enjoy
Cosmos are soooooooo much more fun to drink than to read, hmmmm?
How did I miss this! I usually drink wine, but I’m waiting for a special occasion to try and make this Milky Way Martini (how could you go wrong?)
1 1/2 cups ice cubes
1/4 cup cold water
2 fluid ounces vanilla-flavored vodka
2 fluid ounces white creme de cacao
2 fluid ounces Irish cream liqueur
1 tablespoon chocolate syrup
Chill a martini glass by filling it with 1/2 cup of ice and cold water.
2. Place 1 cup of ice cubes into a cocktail shaker. Pour the vanilla-flavored vodka, white creme de cacao, and Irish cream liqueur over the ice; cover and shake vigorously. Dump the ice and water from the martini glass and drizzle the inside of the glass with chocolate syrup. Strain the cocktail into the glass to serve.
That one does sound great, Shannon. How can you go wrong with alcoholic chocolate?!?
My favorite Christmas drink is a Grasshopper Martini. I always take it to holiday parties. It gets it’s name from it’s greem color and it’s holiday-ness from the mint-chocolate flavor. I am a mixologist, but I don’t use actual recipes. It is vodka, creme de menth, cremem de cacao, and cream. For the normal drinkers I put in two shots of vodka and one shot of everything else. Light weights may just need one shot of vodka. Oh, and use the clear creme de cacao or the drink will not turn out green. Like all martinis, you put everything in the shaker with ice, shake, and pour into a martini glass. I like to drizzle some chocolate syrup in the glass first for effect. And, Diane, I believe that drinks should be dessert in a glass. Alcohol that tastes like chocolate? Yes, Please!
Right there with you, Emma! Sounds great. I’ll put this one on my holiday list for sure!
Sounds fabulous! I hope you had a wonderful time!