Libation Creation: Santa's Special Sauce

This cocktail was inspired by a delicious drink called the Maple that I enjoyed one night at Farley Bar in Sausalito.  It is the perfect wintery treat to warm you on a cold night.  It even appeals to non-Bourbon drinkers since its sweet and refreshing.  I made this recently for a holiday party and it was a total hit.  It works well served in a pitcher and the recipe can easily be multiplied for a crowd.  This drink is guaranteed to make your spirits bright!  I mean, how else do you think Santa gets through Christmas night? Ho Ho Ho...

Makes 1

Ingredients:

• 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
• 3/4 oz maple syrup
• 2 oz Bourbon (Maker's Mark)

Directions:

-Pour ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice.
-Shake until well blended and pour into a low tumbler with ice.
-Drink and repeat.

Recipe (Re)creation: Bi-Rite's Pumpkin Ice Cream with a Kick

I LOVE anything with pumpkin in it and I love ice cream, so clearly this combo is my match made in heaven.  This is one of Bi-Rite's most popular flavor during the holidays and it's the perfect ice cream to serve alongside apple, pumpkin, or pecan pie at Thanksgiving.  It's also perfectly satisfying on its own.  We can thank their cookbook, Sweet Cream and Sugar Cones, for another fabulous recipe.  I added a little tablespoon of bourbon at the end, which is not something that Bi-Rite includes in their recipe, but a girl's gotta have a little fun in the kitchen.

Ingredients:

• 6 large egg yolks
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1/2 cup 1% or 2% milk
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 3/4 cup pumpkin purée
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon bourbon

Directions:

-Place the bowl of your ice cream maker in the freezer so it is properly frozen and ready for use.

-Whisk the egg yolks in a medium-sized metal or ceramic bowl.

-Then add the cinnamon, ginger and half of the brown sugar (6 tablespoons).

-Next, in a medium saucepan, stir together the cream, milk, salt, and the remaining brown sugar (6 tablespoons) and put the pan over medium-high heat.  

-When the mixture begins to simmer, reduce the heat to medium. 

-Scoop out 1/2 cup of the warm cream mixture into the bowl with the eggs and continue whisking.  

-Repeat this same process with anouther 1/2 of the cream.

-Using a spatula, stir the remaining cream in the saucepan and slowly pour the cream and egg mixture back into the saucepan.  

-Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly until it is thickened and coats the spatula.

-Turn off the heat and add the pumpkin, stirring or whisking to combine well.

-Strain the mixture through a fine strainer into a clean bowl and place the bowl in an ice water bath, stirring until the mixture is cool.

-Cover the bowl in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

-Next, whisk the vanilla bean and bourbon into the chilled pumpkin cream. 

-Freeze the mixture according your ice cream maker's instructions. 

-Enjoy immediately or transfer to a container and freeze for a few hours.

Bi-Rite Creamery
3692 18th Street
San Francisco, CA
(415) 626-5600
biritecreamery.com

Libation (Re)creation: Lolinda's Rock n' Rolla

Lolinda has become my new favorite weekend spot.  It feels like a night out, but doesn't even require a change of venue after dinner.  The cocktail bar upstairs feels like enough of a change, and the cocktails are killer.  Tied with the flank steak and charred artichoke, my other favorite item at Lolinda is the Rock n' Rolla cocktail.  It is a bourbon, apple, maple, lemon & nutmeg concoction that leads to a not so fabulous hangover.  BUT, it is oh-so-worth it!  This recipe is my best attempt at their delightful little cocktail.

Serves 1

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Bourbon Whisky
• 5 oz. fresh apple juice
• 1/4 lemon, juiced
• 1 tsp. maple syrup
• Bitters
• Nutmeg
• Allspice
• Ice

Directions:

-Put ice, bourbon, apple juice and maple syrup in a cocktail shaker and give it a nice shake.
-Add two decent shakes of bitters (yes, that precise ; )
-Pour into a lowball glass or short tumbler over ice.
-Sprinkle with ground nutmeg and allspice.
-Drink, and then repeat.

Lolinda
2518 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA
(415) 550-6970
lolindasf.com