Vampire Kiss

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz.Vodka, chilled
• 1.5 oz Champagne
• .75 oz Black Raspberry Liqueur (like Chambord)

Directions:
Pour vodka and half of the raspberry liqueur in a martini glass, top with Champagne and pour the remaining raspberry liqueur over the back of a spoon to make it float.

Photo courtesy of Simple Stated. For more info on how to create the “blood drip” rim, check out this post on Hostess with the Mostess.

Watermelon Cucumber Tonic

• 6 cups cubed seeded watermelon, divided
• 1/4 cup mint leaves, divided
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, divided
• 1 English cucumber, peeled, sliced, and divided (about 3 cups)
• 2 1/2 cups tonic water, chilled
• 1 1/4 cups gin

Combine half each of watermelon, mint, juice, and cucumber in a blender or food processor; process until smooth. Line a fine sieve with 4 layers of cheesecloth, allowing cheesecloth to extend over edges; strain watermelon mixture through prepared sieve over a bowl, reserving juice mixture. Gather the edges of the cheesecloth together. Holding cheesecloth over sieve, squeeze to release the remaining juice mixture. Discard solids. Repeat the procedure with the remaining watermelon, mint, juice, and cucumber.

Combine 2 1/2 cups juice mixture, tonic water, and gin, stirring well to combine. (Reserve any remaining juice mixture for another use.) Serve over ice.  Makes about 8 servings!

I’ve been digging around for some fresh spring inspired recipes and with Easter on it’s way next weekend, I have a group of friends and family stopping by for a casual barbeque. I wanted to mix up a fresh cocktail to serve with our burgers and pasta salad.  Down here in Florida, a nice cool fresh libation like this one should hit the spot on a sunny day.  Bonus? It’s only 135 calories a cocktail.  Bottoms up.  Happy Easter!

Photo and recipe courtesy of Cooking Light Magazine

HG’s Kickin’ Key Lime Pie Martini

• 1.5 oz. lime-flavored vodka (like Finlandia Lime or Smirnoff Twist of Lime)
• 1 oz. Torani Sugar Free Vanilla Syrup
• 2 tbsp. pineapple juice
• 1 tbsp. lime juice
• 1 tbsp. Cool Whip Free

Place all ingredients in a martini shaker with 1 cup ice (crushed ice works best). Cover the top of the shaker, and shake thoroughly. Strain into a martini glass and enjoy!

PER SERVING (entire recipe, 1 martini): 129 calories, 0g fat, 21mg sodium, 7g carbs, 0g fiber, 4g sugars, 0g protein—POINTS® value 3*

We’re watching our figures around here, so we thought we’d share a recipe from the Hungry Girl herself, Lisa Lillien. If you don’t subscribe to her newsletter, you should. It’s very informative and Lisa’s a lot of fun!  View this recipe on Hungry Girl’s site.

Bonus: St. Patrick’s Day is coming up—and these are a lovely shade of green. Make these instead of serving green beer for your calorie conscious friends!

Photo and recipe courtesy of Hungry-Girl.com. Go there now. Go on, go.

Rasmopolitan

• 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) citrus-flavored vodka
• 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) raspberry-flavored vodka
• 1/2 ounce (1 tablespoon) Chambord
• 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1 tablespoon Simple Syrup
• 2 tablespoons cranberry juice
• Raspberries, for garnish

Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice. Add vodkas, Chambord, lime juice, simple syrup, and cranberry juice. Shake or stir until well chilled. Strain into a martini glass. Garnish with raspberries; serve.  Repeat as needed.

As Valentine’s Day approaches (and I can drink again) I figured a new cocktail recipe was in order.  Something red and sexy.  Raspberries and booze? Yes, please!

Photo and recipe courtesy of Martha Stewart

Gingerbread Latte

• 1 1/2 parts Absolut Vodka
• 1 part Hiram Walker Gingerbread Liquer
• 1/2 part Kahlua
• 1 /2 part Milk
• Garnish: whipped cream, nutmeg

Combine ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with whipped cream and a shake of nutmeg.

Recipe and photo courtesy of one of our favorite cocktail sites, CocktailTimes.com