DRINK RECIPES FOR EPISODE #60: Peppery Ginger Cider and Cinnamon Bun Hot Buttered Rum

It's been quite chilly over here at TVP HQ, so when cocktail time rolled around, I decided to recommend two hot, boozy treats: Peppery Ginger Cider and Cinnamon Bun Hot Buttered Rum. Both of these drinks require a bit of preparation, but they're so worth it.

Peppery Ginger Cider (according to seriouseats.com)

• 8 oz apple cider
• 4 oz bourbon
• 3 oz ginger liqueur
• Squirt of lemon juice
• 4 cherries
• Dash of cracked black pepper

Cinnamon Bun Hot Buttered Rum (according to seriouseats.com)

• 1 cinnamon stick
• 4 cloves
• 1/2 lemon
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter, room temperature
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 6 ounces rum
• 16 ounces boiling water

DRINK RECIPES FOR EPISODE #59: Bitter Crush and Fever

When cocktail rolled around, I picked two sexy drinks to play off our naughty review of Nymphomaniac Vol. I & II: Bitter Crush and Fever.

Bitter Crush (according to epicurious.com)

• 1/4 cup Aperol
• 3 tablespoons white rum
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• 2 dashes orange bitters
• 1/2 to 1 teaspoon sugar
• Garnish w/ a lemon twist

By heather, Canada [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Fever (according to epicurious.com)

• 6 tablespoons gin
• 2 tablespoons dry vermouth
• 1 teaspoon Dubonnet Rouge
• 1/2 teaspoon anise-flavored liqueur
• Garnish w/ a lemon twist

DRINK RECIPES FOR EPISODE #58: The Lush and The Shush

We had a heavy conversation this week on The Vodka Press podcast; so when it came time to recommend cocktails, I picked one that were fruity and perfect for indulging in (even overindulging in).

The Lush

• 2 oz Red wine
• 1 oz Organic pear juice
• 1 oz Organic blueberry nectar
• Top w/ club soda
• Rim glass w/ sugar
• Garnish w/ slice of pear

By hzeller via Flickr (CC by SA 2.0)

The Shush

• 1 oz Stoli Sticki
• Top w/ white grape juice
• Drizzle of almond flavored syrup

DRINK RECIPES FOR EPISODE #57: Juan Collins and Brave Bull

Tequila, anyone? That's what we're indulging in this week over here at TVP HQ.

Juan Collins (according to about.com)

• 1.5 oz silver tequila
• 1 oz lemon juice
• 1 oz agave nectar
• Top w/ club soda
• Garnish w/ lime wedge

By Dano Veal [CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Brave Bull (according to about.com)

• 2 oz blanco tequila
• 1 oz Kahlua Coffee Liqueur

DRINK RECIPES FOR EPISODE #56: Pom Cosmo and Gin & Juice

When it came time to recommend drinks for this week's episode, I chose two simple - and healthier compared to most other - cocktails.

Pom Cosmo

• 1 shot Pomegranate vodka
• 1 shot Orange liqueur
• Juice of 1 lime
• Garnish w/ lime wedge

Gin & Juice

• 1 shot Gin
• 1/2 cup Fresh squeezed fruit juice (try orange or grapefruit juice)
• Top w/ seltzer water

DRINK RECIPES FOR EPISODE #55: Tennessee Rose and Hot and Nutty Whiskey Sours

For this week's episode of The Vodka Press podcast, I recommended two cocktails perfect to indulge in after a long day of holiday shopping - regardless of whether that shopping was done in the stores or online.

Tennessee Rose (according to foodandwine.com)

• 2 oz Whiskey
• 3 oz Fresh grapefruit juice
• 0.75 oz Fresh lemon juice
• 0.25 oz Crème de Cassis
• (optional) Garnish w/ a lemon wedge and edible rose petals

By Uploaded by Sigketill [CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Hot and Nutty Whiskey Sours (according to marthastewart.com)

• 3/4 cup Walnut-flavored liqueur
• 1 1/2 cups Whiskey
• 3/4 cup Simple syrup
• 1/4 cup Fresh lemon juice
• 4 Cinnamon sticks

DRINK RECIPES FOR EPISODE #54: Dracula's Kiss and Paranormal Activity

To celebrate Halloween - and the release of The Vodka Press's anniversary special - indulge in one (or both, because hey we don't judge) of this week's cocktail recommendations: Dracula's Kiss and Paranormal Activity.

Dracula's Kiss (according to about.com)

• 1 oz Black cherry vodka
• 0.5 oz Grenadine
• Top w/ cola
• Garnish w/ maraschino cherries

By sackerman519 on Flickr (CC by 2.0)

Paranormal Activity (according to about.com)

• 1 part Absinthe
• 1 part White crème de cacao liqueur
• 1 part Coconut milk
• Drizzle of black Sambuca

DRINK RECIPES FOR EPISODE #53: The Mystique and The Lady Thor

Have you tuned in to this week's episode of The Vodka Press yet? No? Check it out, and then indulge in one - or both, because hey we don't judge - of this week's cocktail recommendations.

The Mystique

• 2 parts Vodka
• 1 part Sparkling cherry juice (try this one from R.W. Knudsen Family®*)
• 0.5 part Blueberry juice (guess who also makes a tasty blueberry juice - R.W. Knudsen Family®*)
• 1 part Blue curaçao
• Garnish w/ lemon peel

The Lady Thor

• 1 part Champagne
• Generous drizzle of honey simple syrup
• 1 part Cranberry-raspberry juice
• 2 parts Strawberry-flavored vodka
• Rim glass w/ coarse sugar

*Note: I'm not being paid to promote their products, honestly. I just really like these juices. 

DRINK RECIPES FOR EPISODE #52: The Black and Stormy and Bourbon Blackberry Collins

We all needed a cocktail (or two) after recording this week's teen media episode - and what better way to celebrate than with sweet, quick-to-mix drinks?

The Black and Stormy (according to saveur.com)

• 2 oz Mount Gay Black Barrel rum
• 1 oz Fresh squeezed lime juice
• 1 oz Simple syrup
• 1 oz Fresh ginger juice (*Note: blend clean ginger root w/ 1 oz water, then strain before using in cocktails)
• Top w/ ginger beer

Bourbon Blackberry Collins (according to foodandwine.com)

• 4 Blackberries
• 1.5 oz Bourbon
• 3/4 oz Fresh lemon juice
• 3/4 oz Simple syrup
• 2 oz Chilled club soda

DRINK RECIPES FOR EPISODE #51: La La Lola and St. Rita

This week on The Vodka Press, we got our geek on (again). So when cocktail time rolled around, I wanted to recommend cocktails perfect for when you're geeking out with friends.

La La Lola (according to saveur.com)

• 1 pint Pitted cherries
• 2 oz Rye whiskey
• 3 cups Cola
• 1 tsp Fresh lemon juice

By R Pollard [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

St. Rita (according to liquor.com)

• 1.5 oz Tequila
• 1.5 oz St-Germain
• Juice of 1 lime
• Salt*

*Note: They say to just rim the glass with salt. However, when I recreated this cocktail at home, I found it still a little too sweet so I mixed the salt into it - and then it was perfect (for my taste buds). So play around with this drink until it tastes good to you.