I always love the first Festive Friday of the season, it feels full of promise, nostalgia and magic. And while I plan for the current holiday season, I can’t help but think of Christmas past. I love hearing stories of how people celebrated…the parties, the decorations and the traditions. It’ s magical to hear somebody’s happy memories. And when it comes to decorating, I always try to bring in a bit of vintage Christmas. Most of you already know, I’m in love with mid-century, so the 1950s are usually my source of inspiration.
That goes for drinks too. My mother has always had fond memories of the Pink Squirrel cocktail, which was popular in the ’50s. So that was my inspiration for this Festive Friday. The Pink Squirrel is really a dessert cocktail, usually made with cream or ice cream. That seemed a little heavy, so I made a variation. This version kept all the best parts though, it’s nutty and chocolatey, with a hint of nutmeg. This one can be enjoyed straight-up, in a martini glass, or over ice in a rocks glass. Depends on how tipsy you plan to get. 😉
And, for my sober friends, I’ve included a mocktail. We certainly don’t need alcohol to be festive.
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Frosted Squirrel Cocktail
Ingredients
- 1.5 ounces of brandy (I use E&J Brandy)
- 1.5 ounces creme de cacao (I use DeKuyper Creme de Cacao)
- 0.5 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 shakes chocolate bitters (I use Fee Brothers Aztec Chocolate Bitters)
- Nutmeg and sugar mixture (I do a .25 teaspoon nutmeg to 1 teaspoon sugar ratio)
Directions
- Rim your glass with the nutmeg and sugar mixture (optional)
- Add all ingredients (except the nutmeg & sugar mixture) to your cocktail shaker with one or two ice cubes
- Shake vigorously, until the shaker is nice and frosty
- Pour shaker into your glass (drink straight or add ice cubes to mellow it out)
Chocolate Squirrel Mocktail
Ingredients
- 2 ounces whole milk
- 1 teaspoon chocolate syrup
- 0.25 teaspoon almond extract (I found alcohol free extract here)
- Nutmeg and sugar mixture (I do a .25 teaspoon nutmeg to 1 teaspoon sugar ratio)
Directions
- Rim your glass with the nutmeg and sugar mixture (optional)
- Add all ingredients (except the nutmeg & sugar mixture) to your cocktail shaker with one ice cube
- Shake vigorously, until shaker is nice and frosty
- Pour shaker into your glass (drink straight or over ice)
Here’s to merry making & memory making this holiday season!
XOXO
Looking for something a little different? Check out Festive Friday cocktails from past years (an asterisk indicates my personal favorites!):
