Shiny Happy Caitlar: Snacks for Grown-ups

I came to a stunning realization today: snack time is to children as happy hour is to grown-ups.

Except that happy hour happens at the end of the day instead of in the middle, although I guess you could argue that it's like an after school snack. That is liquid in form. And makes you sleepy/happy/silly/angry/whatever.

Actually, knowing that happy hour is a much cooler version of snack time makes me less sad about growing up. Because I love happy hour. In fact, I love all sorts of drinks. So in order to help all you adults out there enjoy your snack time this weekend, here are some of my favorite snack recipes.

1. Chocolate Martini

This is a favorite of mine that is, in my opinion, made best by our friends from Tenh Penh in downtown DC. While on my second chocolatey goodness, I asked the bartender how they made them so well. You see, Tenh Penh chocolate martinis are clear, and the ones I had had at other places before this were creamy, which sometimes weirded me out. And then he told me the secret and my life has never been the same. The recipe:

• One part Stoli Vanil vodka
• One part Creme de Cacao

Shake with ice and pour into martini glass. Garnish with a hershey kiss, cocoa bean, or chocolate syrup and you have yourself the best dessert you can find in a small glass.

2. Hop Skip Jump and Go Naked!

This was one of the first cocktails I ever had. It was during the last few weeks of my senior year of high school, the first time I ever had a drink. Well, the first time not counting that time in eighth grade when my friend Jess and I went to her grandparents' mountain house and decided to try whiskey and peach schnapps in bathroom cups. But we spit it out, so it doesn't count. Anyway, this drink has several variations, using vodka and rum and whatever you want, but this is the basic gist:

• 12 oz. of beer (like Corona or Tecate)
• 12 oz. limeade or lemonade
• 12 oz. of tequila
• fruit

Mix it all together with ice in a pitcher and serve chilled. Yum.

3. Dirty Shirley Temple

I was at an open bar happy hour a few months ago and, as it always seems to happen to me when I have an entire bar to choose from, I could not decide what I wanted. And I thought to myself, what I really want is a Shirley Temple...but with alcohol in it. So I asked the bartender if she could do it and the result was glorious. It made me feel kind of naughty in a way since it is a kid's drink, but a maraschino cherry made everything alright.

•   4-6 ounces carbonated lemon-lime beverage
•   2 ounces vodka (preferably cherry-flavored)
•   1 ounce grenadine
• 1-2 maraschino cherries

4. Bellini

When you're feeling a little fancy-pantsy, this is the delicious cocktail for you. And since it includes pureed fruit it's, um, healthy. Consider it the post-Sex-and-the-City cosmo.

• 1 medium ripe, peeled and pureed peach
• 4 - 6 oz Champagne

Pour peach puree into glass and slowly add champagne. Stir gently. Garnish with a peach slice. Voila!

5. SoCo Manhattan

Another friend recommended this drink to me at a happy hour once since I could, again, not think of what to get. It's different (to me) and quite good.   

• 1 dash of Bitters
• 4 oz. Southern Comfort
• 2 oz. sweet or dry Vermouth

Mix 4 oz of Southern Comfort with 2 oz of sweet or dry vermouth and a dash of bitters. Serve on the rocks with a cherry or a slice of lemon.

Have fun drinking and don't forget to invite me!

Comments

[Lauren]

Yum, I'm definitely going to start drinking Dirty Shirleys

[ness]

just make sure you say the "dirty" part...otherwise you will find yourself very sober at the end of the night....believe it or not not every bartender thinks when you order a Shirley Temple...that it involves vodka! sigh.

[amanda]

omg - i haven't even thought of skip and go naked (what we call it out here in seattle) since college! for whatever reason, it was always made with pink lemonade. it's so gross yet so good in it's own way.