12/17/11

Video Attempt: Holiday Cocktails and Spicy Almonds

For the record, I had a bad feeling about using the coffee mug in place of a cocktail shaker—I even told Matt that I didn't think it would work. If I could have it back, I would have improvised the shaker differently, but these things happen. Also, the new stocking my mom made Matt is absolutely perfect. I'll have to show it to you someday soon.

Point being... happy holidays, everyone! I hope you have a bunch of days off from work and are able to relax with great friends, family, food, and maybe even a few cocktails!

p.s. To purchase the tote bag featured at the end, go here!

Chartreuse Cocktail (adapted from Martha Stewart Living)
makes 2 cocktails
1/4 cup Chartruese
1/4 cup gin
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
1 tablespoon simple syrup (recipe follows)
1/2 cup sparkling water
ice cubes

To make simple syrup, bring 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water to a boil in a small saucepan. Cook, stirring, until sugar dissolves. Let cool.

Combine Chartruese, gin, lime juice and simple syrup in a large glass or liquid measuring cup. Divide evenly into two ice-filled glasses and top off with sparkling water.

'Egg Nogg' via The Savoy Cocktail Book
1 egg
1 tablespoon powdered sugar
1 glass of any spirit desired (We used a shot glass to measure 1 glass.)

Fill glass with milk. Shake well and strain into long tumbler. Grate a little nutmeg on top. [These are the directions as they're written in this cool little book. I don't think you can go wrong with it... Oh, wait. You can. You definitely can.]

Pink Rose Cocktail via The Savoy Cocktail Book
The white of 1 egg
1 teaspoon grenadine
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon sweet cream [We mixed a bit of half and half with simple syrup.]
2/3 glass dry gin [Again, I think glass here means a shot glass.]

Shake well and strain into cocktail glass.

Spicy Almonds via Ellie Krieger
2 cups whole, unsalted almonds
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce

Toast the almonds in a dry skillet over a medium heat, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 3 minutes. Transfer the almonds to a bowl.

In a small bowl, stir together the cumin, garlic, cayenne pepper and salt. Heat the oil in the skillet over medium heat. Stir the spices into the oil and cook, stirring until warm, about 30 seconds. Add the almonds and cook, stirring frequently, until the nuts are warm and the spices are evenly distributed. Add the hot pepper sauce and stir to distribute. Remove the almonds from the pan and allow them to cool before serving.

29 comments:

Matthew said...

This was fun! Also, yes, almonds first next time!

jeana sohn said...

hahahahahahahaha! you are a closet, worm! so funny. drinking raw egg sounds interesting..

Tiech said...

I like this video, thanks for sharing! :)

Jessica said...

OMG! This literally made my day. Love how you can hear your husband laughing when you try to strain the egg nog.
-Jess

Megan Taylor said...

You look so cozy in your sweater on a cozy rainy day with cozy drinks and cozy stockings hanging on the mantle. Word = cozy!!

Stephanie said...

Haha this is hysterical!!

Jodi said...

I wish you would have included the part of the day where Amelia started mixing Chartruese with the heavy cream and vomited everywhere.

Amelia Morris said...

@Jodi We save that kind of footage for our forthcoming blooper reel!! Stay tuned... ;)

paul said...

Love the video, you never disappoint.
If it makes you feel better, shaking and straining cocktails is always messy.
(Maybe not quite that messy)
At least you didn't get one stuck inside the other
Have a happy holiday season

Mark and Marsha said...

An instant classic. Love the video. We enjoyed it more than SNL last night!

Andrea said...

Love the video! You are cute!

Beverly said...

LOL!! But where is the third stocking??!

Anonymous said...

I love how much fun you have in the kitchen. What did the Pink Rose taste like? It looked so pretty. I would love to serve it to friends, but you didn't like it?

Amelia Morris said...

@Paul, Mark & Marsha, & Andrea: THANK YOU!

@Beverly: 3rd stocking (new stocking) is now happily on display, though couldn't make an appearance on the video due to time constraints. Major bummer, I know!

@Anon: I'm just about positive that I put too much gin in The Pink Rose, which is why I didn't love it. Otherwise, it was tart and just the right level of sweetness from the Grenadine. I think you should give it a shot! it's soooo pretty.

Anonymous said...

can i just tell you how FUNNY you are? you are VERY FUNNY AMELIA. bravo for tackling 3 holiday cocktails! i think the eggnog would be my fave, but who knows.

bigggg needlepointer.

xoxo

Heather Taylor said...

hi drunkles!!!! well done!

Sandy @ tinytinyfork said...

You are absolutely hilarious and entertaining. LOVE your videos!

Jenny said...

LOL BIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGGGGGGG needlepointer.

Amelia Morris said...

@keepfeeling & @jenny: It's soo true! do you need a needlepointed holiday stocking? She just might make you one. :) :)

Sara said...

hahahaha...this was great. my favourite part is when you say, "i don't love it."

also, i spy some essie chinchilly?

Amelia Morris said...

@sara in america -- you are correct!!! What an eye for essie!! :)

Sara said...

i love me some essie.

Mary Anne said...

this video cracked me up so good and made me so sad i'm not there to drink festive cocktails with you. come visit me soon, please!!

KK said...

i think you need to do a cocktail a week series :)

Ginger said...

What a great video! I loved it and would definitely vote for a Cocktail of the Week series! Cheers!

Tom Pugh said...

Hey there Amelia!

I have followed your blog now and loved every single post (and they just keep getting better!) and I just wanted to say that I have watched this video too many times to be considered reasonable. Am I stalker? Probably.

But seriously this is possibly the most entertaining thing I have seen in my life! I get so excited to see new posts and especially video attempts; you're hilarious.

So thanks! Both for the laughs, plus the great recipes, plus the absorbing stories :D

- tom

Amelia Morris said...

Thank you, Tom!! So sweet of you to write. The videos are super fun to make, especially when they call for cocktails before lunchtime! Keep in touch!

Ruby Claire said...

i wish i could hang out with you. i feel like we would get along super good.....this was hilarious! i love it and i just love you're sense of humor. thanks for creating this blog. i always look forward to visiting.

professional essay said...

Wow the aspect of spicy Almonds made this one really far creative indeed....I just love the way the cocktail is prepared and the video made us so easy for us to prepare this...Great recipe!!