This Valentine's Day, Give Her (or Him!) a Cocktail!
Okay, don't JUST give her/him a cocktail. Also take them out to dinner. But mix them a cocktail to set up the evening (or as a nightcap), and start the night out right!
The Penny Lane tastes like a boozy chocolate dipped cherry. Find the recipe and technique below!
"Penny Lane"
2 oz. Ceres Vodka from Chicago Distilling Company
2 oz chilled hot chocolate made with local dairy (I used Ghirardelli unsweetened cocoa)
2 tsp. cognac
1 oz cherry juice
OPTIONAL: 1 Meadow Haven Farm egg white
The Technique:
If omitting the egg white, shake the ingredients together with ice for 10 seconds. Strain into a glass and garnish with a cocoa powder heart.
If adding the egg white, shake all of the ingredients together without ice for 20 seconds, then incorporate ice and shake again for 10 seconds. Strain into a glass, gently shaking the egg white on top.
The Garnish:
See that picture above? This is how you accomplish an awesome garnish on top of this drink, or really any drink.
It's super simple. Take a piece of cardboard and draw a shape on it. Then carefully cut it out.
Sit it on top of the glass and carefully shake cocoa/cinnamon/sprinkles over top.
Remove the template carefully and voila!
A few tips:
- Make sure the amount of liquid in the glass is near the top but not right to the edge, otherwise, your template will get wet!
- If the template does get wet, just let it dry out on a flat surface. It will dry and you can reuse it.
- If you don't remove the template carefully, you will damage your cute little garnish! To save it, you could re-shake the cocktail then try again!
Adorable, right? Happy Valentine's Day!