12 Drinks of Christmas

This is the 12 Days of Christmas I'm talking about!  This article is from Coastal Living December/January 2010 (pages 106-109).

2. Happy Elf

1 ounce melon liqueur

2 ounces citrus vodka

1 ounce white cranberry juice

Combine in an ice filled shaker. Shake vigorously and strain into a cocktail glass. Add cherries. Makes 1 cocktail.

6. Candy Cane Martini

1 1/4 ounces vanilla vodka

1 1/4 ounces white creme de cacao

3/4 ounces peppermint schnapps

Combine in an ice filled cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with peppermint candy. Makes 1 cocktail.

12. Holiday Mojito

3 teaspoons (rounded) marinated cranberries**

3 lime wedges

3 orange wedges

3 fresh mint leaves

1 1/2 ounces rum

1 ounce orange bitters

1 ounce cranberry juice

1 ounce fresh orange juice

1 ounce mint syrup**

Rub a lime wedge around rim of a glass and dip in sparkling sugar. Place marinated cranberries in glass; muddle until berries are crushed. Add lime, oranges and mint. Muddle all these ingredients together. Stir in rum, orange bitters, juices and mint syrup. Add cracked ice and top with club soda. Stir. Makes 1 cocktail.

**Marinated Cranberries

Cover fresh cranberries with orange flavored rum for 2 days to 2 weeks.

**Mint Syrup

Combine 1 cup of water, 1 cup sugar and 1 1/2 cups fresh mint in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and let stand for 30 minutes. Strain and chill until ready to use. Make 1 1/2 cups.

{Hiccup} Enjoy {Hiccup} XOXO-