Alizé Passion Fruit Liqueur

This liqueur is a blend of French vodka and fruit juices, predominantly passion fruit. There are five varieties of this liqueur: Gold Passion (passion fruit), Red Passion (passion fruit and cranberry), Wild Passion (passion fruit and mango), Rose Passion (passion fruit, strawberry, and lychee), and Bleu Passion (passion fruit, cherry, and ginger).

I have only had opportunity to taste the Wild Passion thus far, but if it is anything to go by, this line of liqueurs is a sure winner. Terrific flavour, very smooth, and plays well with so many other ingredients.

As you've likely noticed, I am a huge fan of Chambord as well, so it should come as no surprise that an attempt was made to introduce two of my favourites into one Yummy-tini, and here it is:

One and one half measures vodka
One and one quarter measures Alizé Wild Passion Liqueur
One and one quarter measures Chambord
Three measures pineapple juice


Pour ingredients into a cocktail shaker over ice;
Shake until good frost forms;
Strain into martini glass.

This is a definite keeper. Very smooth taste, light and fruity. Esthetically, a lovely pink/orange and the combination holds together, no separation of the ingredients once served, and a lovely froth on top that maintains from the first sip to the last. I didn't garnish it but a simple pineapple wedge would do the trick here.

So, to my friends that are coming over on Friday night, bring the pineapple juice...I'll pick up the Alizé. You'll love this one!

Till next time,

Drink With Care, Friends

The Purple Hooter

A friend of mine recently asked me to put together a shooter bar for a party she was throwing. So I went to work compiling a list of shooters and included this tasty treasure:

The Purple Hooter

2 measures vodka
1/2 measure Chambord or other black raspberry liqueur
1/2 measure lime juice

Place all ingredients over ice in a cocktail shaker;
Shake well until frost forms;
Strain into shot glass.

There are several variations out there under this name but this is by far my favourite. Some ingredient lists call for 7-Up to replace the lime juice but I personally prefer the flavour and colour of the above mix. The taste can be neatly summed up as a 'sour black raspberry'.

The above recipe was used for a three ounce shooter and as you can see by the picture, it neatly fills a tall shooter glass, but some may find it a little much. In that case,  cutting the measures in half to 1 ounce vodka, 1/4 ounce Chambord, and 1/4 ounce lime juice leaves you with a neat and tidy little 1 1/2 ounce beauty, which hosts and hostesses may find a more appealing quantity to serve their guests.

More shooter recipes to come!

Until next time,

Drink with Care, Friends.

Chambord

This black raspberry liqueur is simply splendid. Inspired by a liqueur that was introduced to King Louis XIV in the late 17th century, it is a blend of cognac, Madagascar vanilla, blackberries and raspberries.

The bottle is distinctive, but I warn, difficult to get in to. A solid pair of vice grips was required to get it open and even after that, one of those round, plastic grippers is needed to get the cap off once the seal is dealt with.

That said it is, in my opinion, well worth the effort. Chambord is one of my favourite liqueurs. It is brilliant in a huge number of martinis or can be served over ice. Personally, I usually enjoy Chambord in a glass of bubbly. Half an ounce on the bottom of a champagne flute topped with bubbly makes a gorgeous drink.

The Chambord website has a stunning recipe list that I highly recommend to a person looking to try this liqueur.

Hpnotiq

Hpnotiq is a fruit liqueur made from vodka, cognac, and tropical fruit juices. It was created in 2001 by Raphael Yakoby who was inspired by a blue perfume he saw in Bloomingdale's. According to Adams Beverage Media, it is the fourth best selling imported liqueur in the United States.

Hpnotiq is pale blue in colour, fruity in taste, with a slight sour quality. With great versatility, it works extremely well as an addition to vodka and gin, can be used alone with fruit juice, or added to a glass of bubbly. The Hpnotiq web site (thanks to them for the picture below) has an extensive recipe collection which should be perused with caution as there are far to many delicious ideas.

I discovered this yummy liqueur a few years ago while dining at a restaurant with an impressive martini list. A waitress there gave me the mix and I've since adjusted the recipe to suit the taste of my friends and myself, mostly by adding more Hpnotiq.

The Hip Coconut (modified)

1 ounce coconut rum
.5 ounce blue curaçao
1 ounce Hpnotiq
1 ounce pineapple juice


Pour over ice into shaker;
shake until frost forms,
strain into martini glass
garnished with pineapple wedge
or orange peel twist.

Until next time,

Drink with Care, Friends