The Rum Howler Blog

Christmas Cocktail Bazaar: Orange & Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Posted by Arctic Wolf on November 25, 2018

Although it will be Autumn until December 21, the truth is that up here in Canada, the first winter snowfalls arrived in mid-October and the cold weather settled in early in November. This means that it is time to switch up my Cocktail Bazaar with servings that reflect the coming of the cooler Christmas Season. And as this much cooler weather arrives, it is not unusual for me to sip on a nice cup of hot chocolate in the evening.

Here is a delicious recipe which mixes a steaming cup of Hot Chocolate with Smirnoff Peppermint Twist and a dollop of Triple Sec. The indulgence is the creation of Kendra Darling (Simply Darrling) and it is a wonderful seasonal addition to my Cocktail Bazaar.

The serving is perfect for the upcoming Christmas Season when friends and family gather.

Orange & Peppermint Hot Chocolate

1 oz Smirnoff Peppermint Twist
1/2 oz Triple Sec
8 oz Hot Chocolate
Whipped Cream with Caramel Drizzle
Candied Orange Peel

Combine Hot Chocolate, Triple Sec, and Smirnoff Peppermint Twist in a large mug
Stir to mix
Top with Whipped Cream and Caramel Drizzle
Garnish with a strip of Candied Orange Peel

Enjoy Responsibly!

If you are interested in more of my cocktail recipes, please click this link (Cocktails and Recipes) for more of my mixed drink recipes!

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Smirnoff Peppermint Twist is a limited seasonal offering from Smirnoff Co. bottled at 30% alcohol by volume. It features a ‘scratch and sniff’ bottle allowing you to enjoy the seasonal scent of peppermint and candy cane before you even open the bottle. You may read my full review of this flavoured vodka here:

Review: Smirnoff Peppermint Twist

” … The peppermint flavoured vodka is perhaps a touch on the sweet side, then again it is the flavours of peppermint and candy cane which are featured and the spirit would not be a true holiday spirit if it did not accurately reflect this sweetness …”

I hope you enjoy the review, Chimo!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Flavoured Vodka, Vodka | Tagged: Chocolate & Peppermint Hot Chocotlate, Cocktail Bazaar, Peppermint Twist, Smirnoff | Comments Off on Christmas Cocktail Bazaar: Orange & Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Review: Forty Creek Unity

Posted by Arctic Wolf on November 23, 2018

Forty Creek Whisky has an annual tradition of producing a special limited release whisky which is built upon the foundation of the company’s flagship whisky, Forty Creek Barrel Select. These annual special releases each seek to bring new character to the Forty Creek family. This year, the distillery had a contest of sorts where five fans of Forty Creek Whisky representing different areas of Canada were asked to help create the 2018 Forty Creek Special Release. Because the group could not agree on which of the three special blends was the best, a fourth blend was created by Mr. Ashburn which ultimately became the chosen favourite of the entire group.

The special blend was called, “Unity“. One of the features of this Unity blend special is that it includes a subset of 4-year-old Forty Creek whiskies within its construct. These young whiskies were blended together and then aged for a further time using high mocha wood staves added to the barrels. Completing the blend is a 10-year-old corn whisky as well as a small amount of 15-year-old Portuguese-style Starboard wine aged in used Forty Creek barrels.

Here is a link to my full review for the 2018 Limited Edition Release, Forty Creek Unity.

Review: Forty Creek Unity

“… The whisky brings firm indications of oak and vanilla which are melded into a menagerie both rye and baking spices (cloves and cinnamon), hints of almond, and light indications of dark fruit and red licorice. I really like how the scents and smells seem to act in harmony without any wayward notes clashing with the unity of the overall aroma …”

Please enjoy my review and my serving suggestion, the Old Fashioned Cocktail with Chocolate Bitters.

Chimo!

Posted in Canadian Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisky Review | Tagged: 2018, Forty Creek, Limited Edition, Review, Special Release, Unity | Comments Off on Review: Forty Creek Unity

Fall Cocktail Bazaar: Cranberry Lime Mojito

Posted by Arctic Wolf on November 21, 2018

For my American friends, and in honour of the American Thanksgiving which arrives tomorrow, I thought I would put an autumnal spin on the classic Mojito by introducing a dollop of Cranberry flavour via Smirnoff Spiked Sparkling Seltzer Cranberry and Lime.

Full disclosure here, the original recipe that was sent to me by the US Smirnoff Media Team for this remarkable indulgence suggests Smirnoff No. 21 Vodka as the alcohol base for the serving. However, I decided to stick closer to the heart of the true mojito and have recommended Captain Morgan’s White Rum in place of the suggested Vodka. The recipe works well either way; but I prefer the extra character and flavour that white rum brings to the cocktail.

Cranberry Lime Mojito

1 can (12 oz.) Smirnoff Spiked Sparkling Seltzer Cranberry Lime
1 oz. Captain Morgan White Rum
0.5 oz. Simple Syrup
3 oz. Cranberry juice
Fresh Cranberries
Fresh Mint Leaves
Lime Wedges
Ice

Muddle Mint and a Lime Wedge into the bottom of a high ball glass
Add Simple Syrup followed by Ice
Pour in Cranberry Juice
Complete with Smirnoff Spiked Sparkling Seltzer Cranberry Lime
Garnish with fresh Lime Wedges, Cranberries and Mint Leaves

Enjoy Responsibly!

Note: If you are interested in more of my cocktail recipes, please click this link (Cocktails and Recipes) for more of my mixed drink recipes!

Note: Smirnoff Spiked Sparkling Seltzer Cranberry Lime is a premium malt beverage which is brewed and bottled at 4.5 % abv. by Smirnoff Co.. The malt beverage contains zero sugar, no artificial sweeteners, no preservatives and natural flavours.

CAPTAIN MORGAN White Rum is five times distilled and made from cane molasses. It is bottled at 40 % alcohol by volume. If you are interested here is a link to my full review:

Review: Captain Morgan White Rum

“… The initial nose surprised me too as there was an ever so light mustiness rising the from the glass, as well as very apparent aromas of a mild caramel, green banana, peppery zest and light sandalwood spices. I was expecting the ‘5 times distilled’ white to have more of a ‘vodka-like’ nose, and am pleased to be completely wrong on that count …”

Please enjoy my latest rum review, which includes a new daiquiri-style serving, the 11 A.M. Daiquiri, Chimo!

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes | Tagged: Captain Morgan, Cocktail, Cocktail Bazaar, Cranberry Lime Mojito, Cranberry-Lime, Recipe, Smirnoff, Spiked Sparkling Seltzer, Thanksgiving, White Rum | Comments Off on Fall Cocktail Bazaar: Cranberry Lime Mojito

Fall Cocktail Bazaar: Autumn Harvest Punch

Posted by Arctic Wolf on November 18, 2018

With American Thanksgiving just around the corner (up here in Canada we celebrate Thanksgiving in early October rather than late November), I thought I would share a nice ‘punch style’ recipe suitable for large gatherings of friends and family. The serving is courtesy of Megan Marlowe (Strawberry Blondie Kitchen), and it was sent to me by the USA media team responsible for Smirnoff Vodka.

Autumn Harvest Punch combines the seasonal flavours of Autumn fruit (apples and pears) and Autumnal spices (cinnamon, rosemary, and star anise) with a little bite of tropical citrus (lemon juice). A combination of Smirnoff No. 21 Vodka, Apple Cider and Ginger Ale provide the liquid refreshment.

When I mixed a small batch for myself, I found the serving quite tasty, although perhaps it goes down just a little too easily. Make sure when you share this recipe with your friends that advise them to enjoy responsibly and choose a designated driver ahead of time for the ride home.

Autumn Harvest Punch
(Makes 16 servings)

3 cups Smirnoff No. 21 Vodka
2 Apples, cored and thinly sliced
2 Pears, cored and thinly sliced
1 Lemon thinly sliced
6 cups Apple Cider
1/4 cup fresh Lemon Juice
4 Cinnamon Sticks
4 pods Star Anise
Rosemary Sprigs
4 cups Ginger Ale

Add sliced Apples, Pears and Lemon into a large punch bowl
Pour in Apple Cider, Smirnoff No. 21 Vodka and Lemon Juice
Garnish with Cinnamon Sticks, Clove and fresh Rosemary Sprigs
Stir to combine and chill until ready to serve
Before serving, add Ginger Ale and stir gently

Of Course, Please Enjoy Responsibly!

If you are interested in more of my cocktail recipes, please click this link (Cocktails and Recipes) for more of my mixed drink recipes!

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Note: Smirnoff No. 21 is a triple distilled spirit, produced on a large multi-column still from North American prairie grain and bottled at 40 % alcohol by volume. And just in time for the holiday season, Smirnoff No. 21 is now non-GMO (non genetically modified).

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes | Tagged: Autum Harvest Punch, Cocktail Bazaar, Smirnoff No. 21, Vodka | Comments Off on Fall Cocktail Bazaar: Autumn Harvest Punch

Review: Appleton Estate 15 Year Old (Minimum Age) Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on November 16, 2018

The Appleton Estate is located in Nassau Valley in St. Elizabeth which is part of Jamaica’s Cockpit Country. The Cockpit Country is a karst formation which was formed over millions of years as the underlying limestone was eroded by the chemical action of rain. Within a cockpit karst formation are valleys known as Poljes. They are formed where a river floods, then recedes and forms a flat valley over millions of years. The soil in the poljes is very fertile and rich in nutrients because of the sediments left behind after the river had receded. In 1749, within the polje known as the Nassau Valley, the Appleton Estate Sugar Factory was founded. The Nassau Valley has a special mild micro-climate which is ideally suited to the growth of sugarcane. As well, a water source wells from the limestone formation and provides an exceptionally soft pure water which used for the production of Appleton Estate Rums.

Appleton Estate 15 Year Old Rum was recently introduced in Canada as a new Limited Edition Rum. This is a true 15 Year Old spirit as all of the rums within the blend (a mixture of column still and heavy pot still rums) have been aged a minimum of 15 Years before being bottled at 43 % alcohol by volume.

Here is a link to my latest review:

Review: Appleton Estate 15 Year Old (Minimum Age) Rum

“… my nose is greeted by zesty oak spice, caramel toffee and light funky pot still aromas (camphor and resin, bits of menthol, and vague hints of tar). Baking spices (vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg) rise into the breezes as well. Spicy orange peel and a light grassy quality also begin to wind into the air above the glass …”

Please enjoy my review which includes a my cocktail suggestion, the Rum Old Fashioned.

Chimo!

Posted in Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: 15 Year Old, Appleton Estate, Limited Edition, Minimum Age, Review, Rum | Comments Off on Review: Appleton Estate 15 Year Old (Minimum Age) Rum

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