Chocolate, coffee, cocktails, crafting… If you’ve read this blog before, you know these things tend to top my constant list of favorites. It should come as no surprise that I hunted down some java and chocolate to pair with my booze at the recent blogger Handmade Holiday Cocktail Party.
I play Holly Hostess as often as possible, but my list of cocktail recipes is painfully short. To be honest, it’s pretty much two part beverages: vodka tonic, whipped vodka and Coke, rum and Coke… Tasty, yes, but total yawns compared to what’s possible. Normally I just use alcohol as the answer to the well-appreciated “What would you like me to bring?” question from guests. So in hopes of expanding my boozey horizons, I RSVP’d with enthusiasm to this DIY party at the ALIVE Magazine office, featuring a wide variety of Pinnacle products, as well as other festive favorites like candies and mixers.
Now let’s talk vodka. I used to mock flavored vodkas with zero remorse. Sissy drinks. Totally girlie. I’m too tough. Blah blah blah. And then I tried one. And then everything changed. I’d say I ate my words, but I was too busy sipping to do so. Pinnacle Whipped Vodka holds a special place in my freezer, and the holiday Pinnacle Peppermint Bark flavor is about to snuggle in right next to it. Find my totally scrumptious Pinnacle cocktail recipe below; it’s perfect for Thanksgiving, the winter holidays and standard post-work weekdays, making it exactly the always-appropriate alcoholic concoction you need in your life.
The Very Merry Mint Mocha
Serves 1
- Pinnacle Peppermint Bark Vodka, 1 part
- Hot Coffee, 4 parts
- Chocolate Liqueur, 1 part
- Half & Half, 1 part
- Peppermint candies, for garnish
- Whipped cream, for garnish
- Chocolate syrup, for garnish
I know, I know, doesn’t that sound good? The warmth of the coffee (and the ‘warmth’ of the vodka) is the perfect evening pick-me-up during these chilly months.
Note: Wondering how to create a peppermint candy rim? Dip the rim of a glass in water, rub it with a lemon wedge or dip it in chocolate (as seen here, yummmmm), then submerge the wet part of the cup into a bowl of crushed candies. Festive sprinkles or sugars would also look (and, let’s be honest, taste) great.
But wait, there’s more. When you go pick up your bottle of Pinnacle, keep an eye out for a cardboard rebate around the neck of the bottle. While shopping yesterday, I found a mail-in rebate form for $21 back after the purchase of 3 bottles (good through January 6, 2014), which brought my price down to roughly $5/bottle… Take a peek at it on that high, high shelf, and then look to the right and left. Anything else up there running that affordable? Didn’t think so.
Cheers!
PS: Love all things handmade? Join me at ALIVE’s upcoming Handmade Holiday Party in December! There will be Pinnacle cocktails and shopping… and a bacon bar. I really just should have started with bacon bar. THERE WILL BE A BACON BAR.
