Tart cranberry is kissed with sweet amaretto to make an unforgettable martini. The Cranberry Kiss cocktail is the perfect fall drink with it’s crisp and clean flavors. Also perfect for a date night, this colorful cocktail is the perfect way to begin that special evening.

December 15, 2018 – A little update to the post.  We are very excited to have had our drink included by USA TODAY in their holiday cocktail guide! 

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Amaretto-Cranberry Kiss

The nutty sweet flavor of Amaretto mingles with the tart taste of cranberry to “kiss” this martini with a feeling of fall.

Course Cocktails

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Ingredients

• 16 oz cranberry juice cocktail
• 8 oz vodka
• 4 oz Amaretto DISARONNO
• 3 oz fresh orange juice
• Clementines peeled, separated into segments
• ice cubes

Instructions

• Mix cranberry juice, vodka, amaretto, and orange juice in pitcher.
• Cover and chill until ready to serve.
• Fill cocktail shaker with ice cubes.
• Pour 8 ounces of mixture into shaker.
• Cover and shake vigorously.
• Strain into Martini glass.
• Garnish with clementine segment.

I hope everyone has a chance to take some time to enjoy the spectacular fall colors this weekend.

Remember life is short, so have some fun!

The Moscow Mule was invented in 1941 in New York’s Chatham Hotel by John G. Martin, an east coast spirits and food distributor, and John “Jack” Morgan, President of Cock ‘n’ Bull Products (which produced ginger beer) and proprietor of the Cock ‘n’ Bull Tavern, a bar on Sunset Boulevard popular with celebrities. Apparently the two men were drinking in the Chatham bar with Rudolph Kunett, president of the Pierre Smirnoff vodka company, when they came up with the concoction. The drink became extremely popular in the Los Angeles tavern, and by 1942 the drink was touted as the craze of the movie colony.

A good Moscow Mule is hard to come by. Traditionally the drink is served in a copper mug. I don’t know the reason for this, and do not even know if there is one. The only thing I can find is that it might have something to do with oxidation. I would wager it was more of a marketing ploy to set this cocktail apart from all of the other vodka drinks.

Moscow Mules are seldom found in copper mugs anymore due to the cost of copper and the bad habit of people stealing the novel cup. The few remaining places I know that still use copper mugs, either hold your ID or require a deposit.

I was lucky enough to stumble across a set of four mugs at the Mile High Flea Market in Denver for 50¢ each. Score!

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Moscow Mule

Refreshing light and sparkling. The mule is a perfect drink for a hot summer day.

Course Cocktails

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1

Ingredients

• 2 ounces Smirnoff vodka
• 1 ounce lime juice
• 4 ounces Cock ‘n’ Bull ginger beer not to be confused with ginger ale

Instructions

• Fill copper mug with ice.
• Add vodka, lime juice, and Cock'n'Bull ginger beer.
• Garnish with lime.

T.G.I.F.