Over sugared kids in the middle of the school week, rushing home from work to take them trick-or-treating, goodness knows after that you and all the other grownups want a small nerve dulling adult treat. I've searched to find a cocktail to serve at your Halloween Party that is a crowd pleaser with a goulish theme. Enter The Vampire Kiss, an easy martini with three readily available ingredients, Vodka, Chambord and Champagne. You'll be saying, "I vant to drink your vlood". This is for the martini or raspberry lover.
Join me and my guest Lauren James as we guide you through the making of this easy martini. Lauren is a dynamic blogger, fellow graphic designer and creative champion. She is the owner of The Olive Shoe Paperie and Goods, named for a serving dish given to her by her grandmother. Her business is a small, southern stationery and gift boutique based in Anderson, SC that strives to creatively and wholeheartedly connect people to one another through the celebration of life’s moments from minuscule and milestone.
Ingredients
1.5 oz Absolute Vodka (or Vodka of your choice)
1.5 oz Brut Champagne or Prosecco (I used Lamarca Prosecco)
.75 oz Chambord Liquor
Red Sugar for rimming the glass
Method
Rim a martini or coupe glass in red sugar. Using a cut lemon or bit of water wet the rim of the glass. Then dip the rim in a plate of red sugar.
In a cocktail shaker pour in chilled vodka (I keep mine in the freezer), half the Chambord with about six ice cubes. Shake 20 seconds. Strain and pour into a chilled martini glass and top with well chilled sparkling wine like Prosecco, California "Champagne", Cava or Asti. Adjust the sweetness of the cocktail based on your sparkling wine preference. If you like a less sweet martini use a brut, medium sweetness a Prosecco and if you really wanted it candy sweet an Asti. I use Prosecco.
Don't use a fine French Champagne in a mixed cocktail with strong flavors as you'll be wasting the expensive and delicate taste of the Champagne. Any good sparkling wine made in the Method Traditional (Méthode Traditionelle), or Methode Champenoise will suffice. This basically means a sparkling wine made with the Champagne Method. Prosecco is actually made using the Tank Method but this is not an article about sparkling wine. Remember true Champagne only comes from the Champagne Region of France.
Once you have the ingredients in the glass take the remaining half of the Chambord and pour it over the back of a spoon. This is the "vampire blood". Blah...blah,blah!
Chambord is a French raspberry liquor from the Loire Valley so essentially you are making a raspberry martini. Chambord also has notes of blackberry, citrus peel, vanilla and other herbs. The liquor is usually stored at room temperature. The Vampire Kiss, a fruity red drink, need not be limited to Halloween and is also great for a Valentines dinner too or anytime. It pairs beautifully with chocolate candy.
Enjoy and Happy Halloween from Boots and Bow Ties and The Olive Shoe Paperie and Goods
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