Here’s a tasty winter cocktail that you can use to get rid of all the leftover candy canes still hanging around the house from the holidays.

Peppermint Froth

1 1/2 parts vodka
1 part peppermint Schnapps
1/2 part simple syrup
1/2 part cream

Shake all ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Strain into a rocks glass filled with crushed ice and garnish with a chocolate-covered peppermint candy stick. If you’re feeling decadent, top with whipped cream and crushed candy canes.

more holiday cocktails
Recipe and photo from Grey Goose Vodka

Chef Jamie Oliver created this refreshing granita as an easy, light and elegant dessert. Yummy!

Grapefruit-Campari Sorbet

1-3/4 pints fresh squeezed grapefruit juice, strained
14 oz. superfine sugar
7 oz. Campari
Juice of 2 lemons
Juice of 2 oranges

Whisk together the grapefruit juice and sugar. Add the Campari, lemon and orange juices. Freeze in an ice cream maker, or in a metal container for a granita texture.

Photo & recipe courtesy Campari

This week’s drink is a refreshing, caffeine free, alternative to your tired old Venti Latte. The Zen Latte will warm you up with the sweet taste of green tea and steamed milk.

Zen Latte

1 ½ parts of Zen Green Tea Liqueur
6 Parts Steamed Milk

Stir and garnish with matcha powder*

*matcha powder is a fine ground form of green tea.

more Drink of the Week Cocktails
more Hot Drinks
Recipe & photo courtesy Zen Green Tea Liqueur

Perfect after a big holiday dinner, this cocktail from Tullamore Dew is a wonderful mix of Irish Whiskey, Kahlua and a hint of mint.

Merry Irishman

2 parts Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey
1 part Kahlua
½ part Mint Schnapps

Serve over ice in a Rocks glass
Garnish with candy cane

more Holiday Drinks
recipe & photo courtesy Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey

Get a little naughty with these Holiday punches from the folks at X-Rated Fusion Liqueur

X-Rated Holiday Punch

1 750ml bottle (25 oz.) X-Rated Fusion Liqueur
2 bottles pink champagne, chilled
2 six-ounce cans Cranberry juice concentrate
2 six-ounce cans Pink lemonade concentrate
1 qt club soda, chilled
Ice cubes

In large punch bowl, combine cranberry juice concentrate, lemonade concentrate, X-Rated Fusion Liqueur, club soda and champagne. Add ice cubes. Serve immediately. Garnish with slices of lemon.

(more…)

It comes as no surprise that with the ever-growing concern over the economy, businesses nationwide have been forced to scale back on employee benefits; one major casualty of this has been the company holiday party. A recent survey showed that roughly one-fifth of businesses are trimming holiday festivities, marking the lowest percentage of office parties the U.S. has seen in 20 years.

“Kahlúa has been a welcome guest at many a holiday party and, given the current state of the economy, we thought it the perfect time to return the favor,” says Melissa Frank, Global Brand Director for Kahlúa. “This is a great opportunity to save a seasonal staple and help employees and their companies plan fun, festive events that promote curiosity and discovery, which is really what Kahlúa is all about.”

If your company company has canceled it’s holiday festivities, you may be eligible for a “bailout” grant from Kahlua. One business in each of the five eligible states (Texas, Colorado, Massachusetts, Georgia and Illinois) will receive $10,000 and a Kahlua Party in A Box to throw a wild holiday party. No idea why only five states are eligible, but ya know. So tell Kahlua why your company deserves a holiday bailout.

Get your application here: kahluasavestheholidayparty.com
Do it quick all entries must be in by Dec, 7 2008

R3ecently arrived from the folks at Campari, a perfect end to any Holiday party.

Campari Poached Pears with Raspberry Sauce
created by Chef Nancy Verde Barr

2 cups cranberry-raspberry juice drink
1 1/4 cups sugar
1/2 cup Campari
3 3xl-inch strips orange peel (orange part only)
6 Bosc pears (each about 7 ounces)
1 lemon, cut in half
1 10-ounce package frozen raspberries in syrup, thawed
4 tablespoons orange liqueur
2 tablespoons red currant jelly
1 cup mascarpone cheese (about 8 ounces)
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
Fresh mint leaves

Combine 2 cups cranberry-raspberry juice drink, 1-1/4 cups sugar, 1/2 cup Campari and orange peel strips in heavy large saucepan. Bring to boil, stirring until sugar dissolves. Cover and reduce heat to very low, keeping poaching liquid hot.
(more…)