5 Easter Inspired Cocktails

Jesus turned water into wine, so who am I not to enjoy the fruits of his labor?  I’m not a fan of the typical Marshmallow Peep or Cadbury Egg infused Easter cocktails.  Who really wants candy with their drinks?  They just get in the way.  I’ve compiled a list of realistic cocktails to serve at this year’s Easter brunch…or any other time you feel like drinking.

VODKA

EASTER BUNNY COCKTAIL – Forget the chocolate Easter bunny.  Drink your calories with this scrumptious chocolate-infused cocktail.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ oz dark crème de cacao
• ½ oz vodka
• 1 tsp chocolate syrup
• 1 tsp cherry brandy

Directions:

Shake creme de cacao and vodka with ice and then pour in cocktail glass over ice. Top with chocolate syrup and cherry brandy.

GIN

MELON-TINI – A simple, yet flavorful berry cocktail.  Yum.

Ingredients:

• 1 ounce gin
• 1 ounce Midori melon liqueur
• 1 ounce white cranberry juice

Directions:

Shake ingredients in shaker and strain into your martini glass.  Garnish with melons balls of your choice arranged on a toothpick.

CHAMPAGNE

GRAPEFRUIT MIMOSA – What better way to spice up the traditional mimosa than by switching out oranges for grapefruits?  Ah, so refreshing.

Ingredients:

• 8 large ruby red grapefruits
• 1 bottle of Prosecco, chilled

Directions:

Juice the grapefruits and pour into a large pitcher.  Top with one-third to half the bottle of Prosecco.  Then drink and thank me.

TEQUILA

COLLINS LEMONADE – This is a twist on your traditional Collins by adding tequila and limoncello.  Anything with limoncello automatically wins.

Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 ounces silver tequila
• 1 ounce limoncello
• 1 ounce lemon juice
• 1 ounce simple syrup

Directions:

Shake all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice, then strain into a highball glass. Top with soda and garnish with an orange twist.

RUM

WHITE RABBIT – This is for my creamy drink lovers.  I know you’re out there!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 oz Amaretto
• 1/2 oz Baileys
• 1 oz white rum
• 1/2 oz Kahlua
• 1 oz Half & Half

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Shake then strain over ice cubes in an old fashioned glass.

Sip on This: St. Patrick's Day Cocktails

Long gone are the days of using St. Patrick’s Day as an excuse to drink green beer.  You’re an adult now.  Put down the cheap green beer and back away slowly.  Here are 10 St. Patrick’s Day inspired cocktails that you can drink and serve proudly.  I’ve even categorized them by liquor type, just for you.

VODKA

Apple Martini – Made with apple schnapps and vodka, anyone can easily make this at home or order it during your neighborhood bar crawl.  It’s green and has alcohol in it.  What more do you need?

• 1 1/2 ounces vodka
• 1 ounce green apple schnapps
• 1/4 ounce lemon juice

P.S. If you’re feeling particularly festive, add some Cointreau for more a little more kick.

Green Apple Jolly Rancher – Not only does it taste like the famous candy, but it’s green and fits in perfectly with the festivities.

• 1 oz vodka
• 1 oz apple puckers
• 1 oz peach schnapps
• 4 oz cranberry juice
• Orange wedge for garnish

WHISKEY

Irish Car Bomb – What’s St. Patrick’s Day without an Irish Car Bomb?  Drop your Bailey’s and Jameson’s into a glass of Guinness and drink up.

• 1/2 oz. Irish cream
• 1/2 pint Irish stout
• 1/4 oz. Irish whiskey
• 1/4 oz. coffee liqueur

Irish Martini – This cocktail is unique because you only use Irish whiskey to coat your martini glass, then dump the rest.  Add vodka, dry vermouth, and a lemon twist for garnish, and voila! You have a twist on the traditional martini.

• 2 ounces vodka
• 1/2 ounce dry vermouth
• 1/2 ounce Irish whiskey
• Lemon twist for garnish

Irish Gold – Everything Irish doesn’t have to be green!

• 2 parts Irish Whiskey
• 2 parts Ginger ale
• 1/2 part peach schnapps
• Splash of orange juice
• Lime wheel for garnish

Irish Eyes – If you’re in the mood for something different, try this one.  The crème de menthe gives the drink a minty taste.  Refreshing.

• 1 ounce Irish whiskey
• 1/4 ounce green crème de menthe
• 2 ounce cream
• Maraschino cherry for garnish

TEQUILA

Shamrocker – Don’t you want to try this one solely based on the name?  And if your liquor of choice is tequila, it’s the perfect one for you.  Tequila on St. Patrick’s Day…why not?

• 1 part tequila
• 1 part melon liqueur
• 1/2 part triple sec
• Splash of orange juice

CHAMPAGNE

Irish Lady – Serve at your St. Patrick’s Day (After) brunch, perhaps?

• 1 oz melon liqueur
• 3 oz Champagne
• 1 oz orange juice

RUM

Midori Mojito – Add a little Midori to your traditional mojito and you’ll fit right in.

• 1 oz Midori Melon Liqueur
• 1-1/2 oz White Rum
• 8 mint leaves
• 1/2 lime – cut into wedges
• Club soda – to top
• 1 tsp simple syrup
• 1 mint leaf to garnish

Green Daiquiri Punch – You can never go wrong with a rum punch.  Ever.

• 2 (12 ounce) cans frozen limeade concentrate, thawed
• 2 cups Gatorade sports drink, Lemon-Lime flavor, chilled
• 1 cup light rum
• 2 (12 ounce) cans lemon-lime soda, chilled

I hope this cocktail list saves you from yourself this year.  Hey, I do all the heavy lifting, so you don’t have to.  You’re welcome.