Spicy Inspiration

So, being inspired by the upcoming Hallmark holiday...chocolate and spices, specifically chili peppers. I decided to fill my second barrel with a gold rum, a small amount of creme de cocoa, to force a chocolate confectionary note, as well as some fresno chillies, to hopefully infuse some flavour into the rum. I had though about just infusing the flavours together in a glass jar, but felt like experimenting a little... Wish me luck!

Recipe of the week

So starting this week i'm going to add a drink from my cocktail book, or perhaps from someone else's recipe book that has just blown me away. This recipe was made as a challenge to layer certain ingredients. Of course, i took the challenge. The drink is meant to be somewhat sweet, but with some of the savory notes. I suggest a garnish of a vanilla bean pod to stir it. My original garnish is some chocolate shavings. So the first cocktail of the week:

The Perfect Black and White Martini

Pernod
11/2 oz. dark creme de cacao
1/8 oz. butterscotch schnapps
1/2 oz. heavy cream
1 1/2 oz. Stoli Vanil

In chilled martini glass, rinse with Pernod and a splash of soda(what we in the industry call an in & out). Pour slightly chilled(preferably refrigerated) creme de cocoa and butterscotch schnapps into martini glass. In a shaker glass, place half & half and vodka with ice. Shake until extra frosty. Strain onto bar spoon to float on top of dark layer. The shaking should've created lots of foam in the shaker tin... Strain until the majority of the foam is covering the beverage. Garnish with chocolate shavings. Enjoy!