Celebrate the Holidays with Seasonal Cocktails from Leblon Cachaca
Cachaca does not have to be left behind once summer slips away and winter celebrations chime in with family gatherings, the scent of pumpkin pies and the ring of holiday bells. Leblon Cachaca mingles equally well with summer fruits and winter spices. Cachaca is made from fresh-pressed cane juice. Traditional distillation and creative European winemaking techniques create the unique flavor profile which makes Leblon Cachaca so special. It not only blends well for summertime favorite fruit based caipirinha’s, but maintains the richness needed for cold weather drinks that require more zest and body.
Leblon Cachaca’s website takes one on a journey of exploration, education and cocktail fulfillment. This month Leblon highlights the Pumpkin Martini just in time for Thanksgiving. But the secret is out. The Maison Leblon distillery can’t keep the lid on great cocktail recipes for long. The Pumpkin Martini is in fine company with an assortment of holiday favorites to spice up your celebration table for one, two or an entire party.
The Pumpkin Caipirinha
The Pumpkin Caipirinha (great for Thanksgiving)
1-1/2 ounce Leblon Cachaça
1/2 Lime
1/2 Agave Nectar (substitute honey in a pinch)
1-1/2 ounce Pumpkin Puree
1/2 ounce Canton Ginger Liqueur
Cut lime and place in a shaker with agave nectar and muddle. Add crushed ice, Leblon Cachaça, pumpkin puree and Canton in the shaker. Shake well and garnish with nutmeg, pumpkin flesh twist and lime wheel.
Pumpkin Martini
Pumpkin Martini (also a good Thanksgiving drink)
2 ounces Leblon Cachaça
1 ounce Torani Pumpkin Spice
1/4 ounce Torani French Vanilla
1/2 ounce Frangelico
1 tablespoon Pumpkin Puree
1 dash Orange Juice
1 dash Nutmeg & Cinnamon
In a cocktail shaker, add all ingredients and crushed ice. Shake vigorously then strain into a frosted martini glass. Garnish with a dash of nutmeg and cinnamon.
The White Monk Caipirinha
The White Monk Caipirinha
1-1/2 ounce Leblon Cachaça
1/2 ounce Kahlua Coffee liqueur
1 ounce Milk
Splash of cola
Pour Kahlua Coffee liqueur and milk into a shaker. Fill the shaker with ice and add Leblon Cachaça. Shake vigorously. Serve in a highball glass Top with cola.
The Spiced Pear Caipirinha
The Spiced Pear Caipirinha
2 ounces Leblon Cachaça
2 ounces Pear Nectar
1/2 Fresh Lemon
1/2 teaspoon Simple Syrup
Small piece of Ginger
Pinch of Nutmeg
Pinch of Ground Cinnamon
Fresh squeeze the juice of ½ a lemon. Muddle ginger and lemon in a shaker. Pour simple syrup, nutmeg, ground cinnamon, and pear nectar into the shaker. Fill the shaker with ice and add Leblon Cachaça. Shake vigorously. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a pinch of nutmeg.
Leblon Punch Caipirinha
Leblon Punch Caipirinha
1-750ml Bottle of Leblon Cachaça
1/2 Bottle Brandy
1/4 Bottle Cointreau
1/4 Bottle Amaretto
3 Bottles Medium Body Red Wine
1 large Bottle of Soda Water
1/2 cup of Fine White Sugar
3 Oranges-sliced
20 Cherries – pitted
3 Apples – chopped
10 Cinnamon sticks
8 Cloves
10 Star Anise
Combine all ingredients except the soda water into a punch bowl. Let stand for two hours. Just before serving add soda water. Serve over ice in a wine glass
With all that muddling going on, you’ll need a muddler. Leblon offers complimentary muddlers so that you can muddle at home with friends to create all these cocktails and more. Log on to the Leblon site listed below for your free muddler with $2 shipping fee.
Email cocktail submissions to: str8upcocktails@gmail.com with Pinky Vodka: Mix Up Something Beautiful in the memo line ---------- Recipe must include: 1-1/2 ounce or more of Pinky Vodka -- 5 ingredients or less (including the garnish) -- No specialty ingredients -- Photo of cocktail -- Name, email address and mailing address -- Contest ends July 15, 2009
