What Number Are We On?

It's all becoming a blur.  The 9th Day of Drifunkmas took place at a Christmas Eve gathering at the Christensen's house, and I couldn't have selected a better drink for it.

Santa's Little Helper

1 oz.  Vodka
1/2 oz. Amaretto
3 oz. Cranberry Juice

It was a tremendous drink that tasted dangerously like fruit punch Kool Aid.  The ladies absolutely loved it, but I'm sure too much of it would make you see something like this when you looked across the room...

Deceptive little cocktail that could lead to real trouble in a big, fat hurry.  I'm not kidding.  Brian took one quick sip and then downed the whole thing at once.  Even one who "wasn't really drinking" and taking only a quarter of a glass at a time must have consumed the equivalent of two of them.  Here are the ratings:

Heather:  10

Jamie:  10

Judy:  11 (another rule breaker)

Deb:  10

Tracey:  10

Vicki:  10

Mike:  8.2

Brian:  9

Dirt Bag:  8

As you can tell, it seemed to be more popular with the ladies.  I highly recommend this one.

On the 10th Day of Drifunkmas, my mixology skills brought to me...

A Warm Christmas Cocktail

2 c. whole milk

1 can coconut milk

1/4 c. brown sugar

2 tsp. vanilla

Combine ingredients in a sauce pan and whisk over medium high heat until hot and frothy.  Pour a shot of bourbon (or more, depending on your taste) in a mug.  Top with milk mixture and a dash of nutmeg.  Makes 2-3 drinks.

This was unbelievably delicious and perfect for the occasion.  My parents both raved over it, and no one had to twist my arm to have a second one.  This is a must have, and even tops the Hot Buttered Rum for an apres snow activity beverage.  Only Mike's rating fell short of a perfect ten, with a 9.2.  If you are reading this, you MUST try it.  Who cares about the calories?!?!

Day 11 will bring us the Perfect Storm Cocktail, although I feel like I should be saving this for Thursday's predicted dumping of snow.  Here is the recipe:

Perfect Storm Cocktail

1 Vanilla Bean
1/2 c. sugar
1 oz. ginger brew
1 1/2 oz. apple cider
2 oz. dark rum

Split the vanilla bean the long way, scrape out the inside (save the pod) and add it to the sugar, stirring until the sugar has specks of vanilla.  Mix ginger beer, apple cider and rum in a shaker and pour over ice in a sugar-rimmed glass.  Garnish with half of the vanilla bean pod.

Cheers!