Cocktails or: how I learn't to stop worrying and love Christmas
You may not be aware of this, but I'm possibly the most pessimistic of the Playful Promises team. And by the time Christmas rolls around I'm one big ball of grump. While the idea of doing nothing but eating thrills me more than words could say (see above: me last Christmas), I am soon reminded of just how long I can sit in the same room as my Grandmother and her notorious gum-chewing.
And this is when delving into your drinks cabinet is a good idea. Those last drops of blue liqueur, decades old vodka and that stuff you can't even pronounce that smells like paint stripper... they can all come to good use in that wonderful cocktail shaker.
Here is my little list of must-haves to tide you over until the new year!
Why Santa has a naughty list
You may notice that I'm a sucker for cocktails with silly names. I'm also a sucker for sweet cocktails!
30ml Amaretto
30ml Gin
30ml Liqueur, banana
15ml Grenadine
Lemonade
Use a long glass for this, adding crushed ice first, then your gin and amaretto. Top up with lemonade while adding grenadine slowly, then layer the banana liqueur on top.
Snowflaketini
40ml Alizé (Passionfruit liqueur)
30ml Vodka
1 splash Cranberry Juice
1 wedge Lemon
2 sprinkles Coconut
An easy one - chuck it all into a cocktail shaker with ice, shake and pour into a martini glass. Sprinkle the coconut on top and sugar rim the glass if you are feeling fancy!
The Grinch
60ml Midori (melon liqueur)
15ml lemon juice
1 tsp simple syrup
Maraschino cherry for garnish
Representing the change that came over the Grinch, this super sweet cocktail is another easy shaker. Pop everything in a shaker with ice, shake and serve in a martini glass with the cherry for garnish.
Cranberry Cutie
For those good girls and boys that like their drinks untainted!
60ml red cranberry juice
60ml apple juice
15ml honey
Maraschino cherry for garnish
Shake and pour into a martini glass, garnish with cherry.