Cocktail Confessions - Souped Up Hot Cocoa

 I think it's safe to say that the chilly fall weather has settled in here in Kansas City. It's been rainy, dreary, windy, and just flat out cold! Yesterday afternoon, when layers of clothing weren't cutting it, I decided I needed something else to help take the chill off. When that happens, I usually reach for hot tea or hot chocolate. I also needed little something to help curb my sweet tooth so hot chocolate it was! Then I started thinking....what would make hot chocolate just a little bit more tasty? Booze! That's when I decided to soup up my cup of cocoa!

What You Will Need:

Hot Cocoa Mix, Hot Water, Peppermint Schnapps, Chocolate Liqueur,

and Marshmallows

 

Whip up a cup of your favorite hot cocoa! 

Add one shot of Chocolate Liqueur.

Add one shot of Peppermint Schnapps.

Mix all of that together and top with extra large marshmallows. A huge dollop of whipped cream would be amazing. Shaved chocolate over that would be extra decadent. And bits of peppermint candies over that.....well you get the idea!

What do you think? Ready to take your hot chocolate to the next level? Bring on the cold weather!

Cheers!

Cocktail Confessions -Spiked Candy Cane Iced Coffee

I'm on a roll with bringing back some of the older posts from several months ago. I've been lagging behind in my cocktail creations, but to be honest, I had lost inspiration. I turned to easier things like beer during the World Series, and champagne has been my friend during birthday and anniversary celebrations this month. It hasn't left much room for new drinks to try. 

Yesterday was a insanely windy day with a tornado watch for most of the afternoon. I ran hot and cold all day. Too hot with window closed, a little chilly with the window open. And I was running on low energy, so coffee was my friend for most of the day. By 4:00, I had had way too much coffee, but noticed I still had a little left over and that's when it hit me. Let's make a little spiked ice coffee creation.

Now, I'm not one to drink just plain coffee. I'm not a coffee snob, I just prefer flavored to plain. And, I coordinate my flavored coffee with a creamer. It's a little high maintaince, but that's me. I found Candy Cane flavored coffee and decided I needed that in my life and drank that for a better part of yesterday. And, even though I'm true believer in celebrating each holiday as it appears on the calendar, my house is currently outfitted for Thanksgiving, I've been in a pretty Christmasy spirit. As a result, my cocktail became a Spiked Candy Cane Iced Coffee. And it was good!

Here's What You Need:

Candy Cane Coffee, Rum, Half and Half

and a cute Candy Cane for garish

Fill up your glass with the tons of ice. Add as much coffee as desired.

I added a shot and a half of rum. Add as much or as little as you like.

Add half and half. Again, add the amount you desire.

Stir. How pretty is that color!

Add the cute candy cane for garnish. Or, crush it up and spring over the top. That would be so pretty and festive!

Next up, drink! It was so yummy and perfect for the upcoming holiday season, even if it is a little early. And it was a nice cooling addition to a hot and cold day! It would be amazing hot as well! May have to try that next. With maybe a little Peppermint Schnapps to enhance the candy cane taste!

Cheers!

Cocktail Confessions: Forever Royal

Our Kansas City Royals are headed back home for Game 6 of the ALDS and we hope to win it! Heading back to the World Series is a must, but winning the whole thing would be a dream come true!

In honor of our Boys in Blue, I've come with a fabulously royal blue drink I'm calling Forever Royal! Super tasty and perfect for cheering on our Home Town Team!

Here's What You'll Need:

 Blue Curacao; Lemon Vodka, 7UP, and Lemon Wedges for Garnish

Add plenty of ice to your favorite high ball and one and a half shots of the blue cucacao. I use BOLS Blue. I LOVE this color!

Next up, add two shots of lemon vodka. I'm using Deep Eddy for the tartness. It really cuts the sweetness and you need that with this drink.

Add as much, or as little, 7UP as you would like. It's all according to taste. Add a lemon wedge for a little extra flavor and garnish. Just look at the effervescence!

One last stir and it's time to taste!

So good! A little sweet. A little tart. And a whole lot of a royalty in this glass! I totally think it should be the official drink of the Kansas City Royals! Do you hear that Kauffman Stadium? 

A toast to our KC Royals and their amazing season! Can't wait to see you back on our home field on Friday!

As they say here in KC, Take the Crown!

Cheers!

Cocktail Confessions: Not Your Mama's Cherry Coke

When I started thinking about this week's cocktail, I wasn't really all that inspired. It's not quite fall, but summers not over, and with Starbucks already serving Pumpkin Spice, I knew I didn't want to go down that route so soon. So I headed down to my parents bar and just stared at the contents in the liquor cabinet. The Cherry Brandy immediately caught my eye. I grabbed that and the vanilla rum and headed back to the kitchen. 

I mixed the two with club soda and it just didn't have the taste I was expecting. My mom suggested Coke. Great idea! I tossed the original drink, grabbed a Diet Coke and started all over. The result, a kicked up Cherry Coke that we have dubbed "Not Your Mama's Cherry Coke"!

What You'll Need:

Vanilla Rum, Cherry Brandy, Diet Coke (or Coke), Maraschino Cherry's 

and their juice

 

Add one shot of Vanilla Rum. Sorry for the super close up! I was taking the photos and pouring at the same time. Not an easy task!

Next, add one and a half shots of Cherry Brandy. I love the color!!! A gorgeous deep red!

   

Fill it up with the Coke of your choice! The regular Coke will make it a little more sweeter than the Diet. Stir!

 Add a small spoon full of the Maraschino Cherry juice and a couple of cherry's for garnish.

 This is so good!! Like, I would drink several so good! And it's kind of the perfect end of summer drink. A say make one tonight!

Cheers!

Cocktail Confessions - Isle of Rum

 When I think of Malibu Rum, I imagine myself on an exotic island, or at least a Caribbean beach, sipping a fruity cocktail and listening to the sounds of the waves and steel drums. Since coming home from the beach last month, I've longed for those days of just laying in the sun and playing on the surf with my son. So I decided to take matters into my own hands, or into my own glass, and bring that essence of the beach in the form of a cocktail. And man did it work! Read on for the recipe!

What You'll Need:

Malibu Run, Pineapple Orange Juice, Club Soda

 

Add two shots of Malibu to your glass that's been filled with ice.

Fill glass with the fruit juice. So far I can tell you it smells amazing!

Add a splash of Club Soda for a little fizz. Stir!

This is such a great little sip! Even my mom said it was something you had to be careful with, it's that tasty. Go ahead, give it a pour!

Cheers!

Cocktail Confessions - Rainy Day Blue

 Tuesday was the most dreary, rainy day! On days like that, all I want to do is lay on the couch and binge watch romantic comedies! But with a toddler, you don't really have that option. Instead, we found ourselves at Toys r Us. McKinley wanted to browse the aisles and continue his list for Santa. That list is getting mighty long!

By the afternoon, I was soaked, cold, and thinking about cocktails! I was inspired by the dark blue stormy skies and reached for the Curacao. The color was spot on. Read on for the recipe and the bluest sky you've ever seen.

What You'll Need:

Curacao, Triple Sec, Club Soda

 

 

Add a large amount of ice to your glass. Pour two shots of Curacao.

Add one shot of Triple Sec or more to taste.

Next up the Club Soda. Stir.

 Look at that color! It's gorgeous! And the perfect blue for a rainy day! Gotta love when Mother Nature inspires.

And wouldn't you know that on this day, blue was the color of choice. I bought this cute baseball tee at Target and just happen to wear it on Tuesday! Fashion and cocktails do go hand in hand, no?

Happy Thursday! CHEERS!

Cocktail Confessions - Strawberry Shortcake Cocktail

 If you haven't already noticed, I am a girl with a raging sweet tooth! I've always had one, but lately, I just want to partake in almost every kind of dessert imaginable. But, it isn't all that healthy and definitely not kind to my waistline! So, I've been creating some tasty Desserts in a Glass and I think I like where it's going! I don't heat up the kitchen, I don't find myself eating cookies, cakes, and brownies while typing up these posts, and I've discovered that these little sips are almost as yummy as the real thing!

 So in keeping with the dessert theme, today I'm bringing you a Strawberry Shortcake Cocktail. Did anyone else have a Strawberry Shortcake doll growing up? I mean she smelled like the real thing and this cocktail does that exact same thing! Read on for the recipe!

Here's What You Need:

 Strawberry Daiquiri Mix, Pinnacle Whipped Cream Vodka, and a Strawberry for garnish

 

First off, fill a glass full of ice. To the ice, add two shots of Whipped Cream Vodka.

    

Up next, the daiquiri mix! Just fill up your glass and smell that yummy goodness as it pours into the glass! So good!!

Stir! Look at that color! Isn't it amazing. And red just happens to be my favorite color! Oh, and add that little strawberry for garnish! Then pop it into the glass for a little extra treat when the cocktail disappears!

Disclaimer: This sip is sweet! We cut the sweetness with a little club soda. You could seltzer water too. Just something with a little fizz that won't add any extra flavor. That little bit of bubbly really made a difference and sent this drink over the edge! It's definitely my new favorite!!

If you try it, let me know your thoughts. This is truly a keeper!

Cheers! 

Cocktail Confessions - A Cool Cali Sparkle

My girl Caitlin over at Sophisticaited recently introduced me to this little sparkle in a can. It's by Francis Ford Coppola Winery and it's called Sofia Mini. It's a mini sparkling wine in a can and it even comes with it's own tiny straw for sipping! It's the cutest little packaging I've seen in a while! 

The sparkling wine has notes of juicy pears, summer melon and honeysuckle and bubbles on your tongue with each sip. But because it's so sweet, it's really not something I can drink on it's own. I'm more of dry wine and champagne girl myself, but I didn't want to give up on this little can of bubble. I've been thinking about what pairs well with ingredients listed above and then I decided that I shouldn't try to mix. I should highlight it. What did I mix it with? Keep reading....

What You'll Need:

Vodka and Sofia Mini

 Because my shot glass is so little, I used two shots of vodka in this glass. Also, I didn't show a pour shot since I spilled it all over the place last week! After the vodka, add your Mini Sophia and fill to the top!

Check out those effervescent bubbles! Such a lovely sight!

And because there will be a little leftover in the can, go ahead and add that darling straw and sip away! No need to let it go to waste!

And there you have it! The Cool Cali Sparkle! It's really tasty and quite refreshing! 

Now, I know I said I wasn't going to mix it with anything other than vodka, but after a couple of sips, my mom and I agree that Citrus Vodka might add a little punch. 

If you haven't tried Mini Sophia, you need to. And you need to add it to a little vodka! Seriously! It's a new sip I can't wait to pour again!

Cheers!

Cocktail Confessions - Stormy Seas

 A week from today we will have officially been on the beach for four days and I'm hoping we will have loved every minute of it! So to pay homage to the beach, more specifically the ocean, I'm bringing you a new cocktail! We're calling this one Stormy Seas. Just look at the color! It starts out all calm and royal blue. Then it takes on the ominous look that comes with a stormy sea. 

It doesn't taste stormy though! It's quite the citrusy sip. Check out the recipe below!

Here's what you'll need:

Curacao, Vodka, Orange Juice

Fill a jigger with vodka. Pour one each into each glass. Again, I am loving the Mason jars!!

Pour a jigger full of the Curacao and then pour half into each glass.

 Add a splash of orange juice to each glass and stir. Watching the crystal blue waters change to stormy seas is pretty cool, no?

And here you have the Stormy Seas! It's gorgeous!

I will be drinking a lot of the drinks we've made over the next week or so, and hopefully, bring you something new while on vacay! In the meantime, cheers!