Holiday Cocktails and Shooters

CANDY CANE MARTINI


1 1/2 oz. Vodka
1 tsp. peppermint schnapps

Mix all ingredients with ice in a shaker. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Option: Garnish with a small candy cane or create a candy cane "rimmer" with crushed candy canes.


PEPPERMINT PATTY

1/2 oz crème de cacao
1/2 oz peppermint schnapps
1 oz cream

Stir all 3 ingredients with ice, strain into shot glass.



AFTER EIGHT

1/2 oz coffee brandy
1/2 oz crème de menthe (white or green)
1/2 oz Irish cream

Shake all these ingredients with ice and strain into a shot glass. Enjoy a liquid After Eight, after dinner.



CANDY CANE SHOOTER

1/2 oz crème de menthe
1/2 oz grenadine
1/2 oz peppermint schnapps


Layer the grenadine syrup, crème de menthe and then peppermint schnapps. A nicely layered shooter that will test the bartender's skills.



CHRISTMAS CHEER

1 oz eggnog
1/2 oz peppermint schnapps

You can either layer this drink, eggnog first, or stir the ingredients together before drinking.



NUTCRACKER SHOOTER

1/2 oz amaretto
1/2 oz Amarula Cream
1/2 oz Frangelico

Pour a layer of Frangelico into the bottom of the shot glass. Then carefully slide on a layer of amaretto, using the back of a spoon. Top with a layer of Amarula Cream.



MISTLETOE

1/2 oz Chambord
1/2 oz melon liqueur
1/2 oz orange liqueur

In a tall shot glass add Chambord, then gently pour Midori (or other melon liqueur), the second layer, over the back of an inverted spoon so that it flows on top of the Chambord without mixing. Repeat the process using orange liqueur.

This makes a good holiday shooter. You can flambé it by igniting the top with a match. Blow flame out after a few seconds and make certain the rim of the glass has cooled before drinking.



AFTER FIVE

1/2 oz coffee liqueur
1/2 oz Irish cream
1/2 oz peppermint schnapps


Pour coffee liqueur into shot glass until about 1/2 full. Using a spoon (inverted), slowly pour in the peppermint schnapps until glass is about 3/4 full. Done correctly, the schnapps will flow under the Kahlua, creating a clear layer.

Using the spoon again, but this time right side up, slowly top off the glass with a layer of Irish cream. Be careful to place the spoon right at the top of the coffee liqueur layer and to raise it as the glass fills up. Done correctly, this will provide a layer of Irish cream floating over the coffee liqueur.

That's the Spirit! › Mixology › How to float a drink

That's the Spirit! › Mixology › How to float a drink

Holiday Drinks - Iceberg

An Iceberg is a great cocktail that can take on two completely different flavors by simply switching the liqueur. For a subtle anise, choose Pernod or if you're in the mood for a minty drink go with peppermint schnapps. Either variation is a nice winter sipper.




2 oz vodka
1 tsp Pernod or peppermint schnapps

Preparation:
Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice.
Shake well. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Pumpkin Pecan Pie - Paula Deen

Pumpkin Pecan Pie


1 cup chopped pecans
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup canned pumpkin
4 tablespoon (1/2 stick) melted butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup dark corn syrup
3 eggs
1 9-inch unbaked pie shell

whipped cream


Preheat oven to 350 Degrees F.

With a hand beater, beat eggs well. Beat in corn syrup, sugar, butter, pumpkin and vanilla until well-blended. Arrange pecans in bottom of pie shell. Slowly pour egg mixture over them. Bake for 1 hour or until knife inserted 1 inch from edge comes out clean. Let cool completely before serving to allow the filling to set up.

Garnish with whipped cream.

Servings: 6 to 8 slices
Prep Time: 12 min
Cook Time: 1 hour
Difficulty: Easy

Apple, Sausage and Cranberry Stuffing

Apple, Sausage and Cranberry Stuffing
Enough to stuff a 10 lb bird


5 1/2 cups cubed white and whole wheat bread (Add rye for a bit of extra flavor!)
1 pound ground turkey or pork sausage (if you use pork, drain off the fat)
1 cup finely chopped onion
1/2 cup finely chopped celery
2 1/2 teaspoons dried sage
1 1/2 teaspoons dried rosemary
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 apple, cored and chopped - Golden Delicious work best
3/4 cup dried cranberries
1/3 cup minced fresh parsley
1 cooked turkey liver, finely chopped (Optional)
3/4 cup turkey or chicken stock
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (unsalted is best as the sausage and stock are fairly salty already)

Preheat oven to 350 degree F . Spread the bread cubes in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Bake for 5 to 7 minutes until evenly toasted. Transfer toasted bread cubes to a large bowl.

In a large skillet, cook the sausage and onions over medium heat, until evenly browned, breaking up the sausage into small pieces. Add the celery, sage, rosemary, and thyme stirring, for an additional 2 minutes to blend flavors.

Combine sausage mixture and the bread in bowl. Mix in the chopped apples, dried cranberries, parsley, and liver. Pour the turkey stock and melted butter over the top, and mix lightly. Spoon into turkey’s chest cavity loosely.

Or you can place into a large casserole dish and bake covered for 30 minutes. Be sure if you do this method that you add an additional 1 cup of turkey or chicken stock so it does not dry out.