Southern Protocol

Technically our Cocktail of the Month shouldn’t be released until this Saturday – but again, in the spirit of Derby Week and the fun, big hat parties all over the country on Saturday, we decided it appropriate to jump the gun a bit.

Many people don’t know the exact measurements for the traditional mint julep; again, from the same Derby Entertaining cookbook, we are coming to the rescue for legit Kentucky results.

Kentucky Mint Juleps (makes 21 servings)
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
1 cup mint leaves
Crushed ice
100 proof Kentucky bourbon
Mint sprigs

In a saucepan combine sugar and water; bring to a boil. Cover and cook, without stirring, for five minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool. In a bowl bruise mint with the back of a wooden spoon. Place mint in a jar, add sugar syrup, cover and chill in refrigerator for 12-25 hours. When ready to use, strain mixture and discard mint. To serve, fill frosted silver mint julep cups or old-fashioned glasses with crushed ice. Add 1 tablespoon syrup and 1 ounce bourbon for each serving. Stir, garnish with a mint sprig and serve with a half-sized straw.

Yes I realize you could just run to the grocery store and find pre-made mint julep mixes or bottles, but this recipe truly isn’t THAT over the top – and you know everything always tastes better homemade

I know we’ve already done the Cocktail of the Month, but I ran across this picture-perfect cocktail on a Southern Protocol favorite website, Glam.com. How absolutely hilarious are those bow ties?! Instead of grabbing the same old-same old bottle of wine this Sunday night, try this much more festive option and you’ll really impress your guests.

Gold Dusted Black Licorice Martini
2 parts vanilla vodka
1 part Black Sambuca

Shake with lots of ice, strain. Garnish with black licorice and gold dust (which can be found at any craft store in the baking section). And of course you HAVE to decorate them with the black bows, which can also be found at any craft store. Cheers!

More and more articles are written these days promising that you don’t have to drop serious cash to get a decent bottle of wine. Especially when many people are being a bit more attached to their pocketbooks, this is a great thing!

A great example of a bargain wine that a friend just turned me onto is Red Diamond. The Washington winery prides itself on creating bold wines in an approachable style. Their Cabernet Sauvignon is a new favorite of mine – and I am not even a big red wine drinker. Red Diamond describes its popular cab as “aromas of cassis and licorice with hints of leather that precede a rich, velvety-textured palate of red fruit jam and a sweet touch of toasty oak on the long finish.”

That’s a long, detailed explanation that sounds fabulously fancy – I just think it tastes good! And the best part? It can be found in most regular grocery stores, and only costs around $11 or $12. Cheers!

Obviously we’re still on a pumpkin kick at Southern Protocol – luckily the salty cinnamon sweet flavor keeps going strong well through Thanksgiving! Perhaps you would like to use this Pumpkin Pie Martini as an adults-only treat around your dinner table this coming November holiday. 

Pumpkin Pie Martini (serves two)
Ice
2 ounces vanilla vodka
2 ounces creme de cacao
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
Whipped cream, for garnish 

Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice cubes. Add the vanilla vodka, creme de cacao, heavy cream and pumpkin pie spice and shake well. Dip the rims of two martini glasses into a bowl of whipped cream. Strain the cocktail into the two glasses.

It’s definitely a heavier cocktail – perfect for sitting by the fire or as a special reward for when you finally get up all those Christmas decorations. The combination of chocolate, pumpkin spice and vanilla is a scrumptious one, and how gorgeously cozy does the whipped cream rim look? Cheers!