Candy Cantini

Christmas cocktails are always harder for me! I love me a good Grasshopper, but what about a non-ice cream, less sugar-crazed, but still sweet drink? That's where this yummy FAIR Quinoa vodka inspired me. I wanted to something traditional - like a martini - with a yummy twist. And so was born, the Candy Can-tini.

FAIR Quinoa vodka is the first line of fair trade spirits, which means it's good for the world. It's also pretty tasty - in comparison to the normal vodka brands you'll see on the shelves, I'd say this is on par with some of the mid range ones. It's got a little more flavor - kind of a bite to it - but really is just a vodka that's distilled from quinoa and other than sounding different, it isn't weird or tasteless. Definitely suitable for cocktails where you can add flavor and make it do what you want - hence the peppermint!

What You'll Need

Fair Quinoa Vodka

Peppermint Schnapps (The normal kind would be preferrable here, not the crazy 100 proof kind I for some reason have owned for like 4 years now)

Fresh Mint and Simple Syrup

OR Mint Simple Syrup (See next weeks post on how to spruce up left over simple syrup!)

Ice

Cocktail Shaker

Candy Cane for decorating

First, place the mint leaves (a small handful, about size) and 2 ounces simple syrup in the bottom of your shaker and muddle well.

Fill your shaker with 2/3rds the way with ice.

Pour 1.5 ounces Quinoa vodka and .5 Ounce Peppermint Schanpps over the ice and mint. Shake well for 20 seconds, then strain into a martini glass.

Serve immediately while still chilled.

This post was sponsored by FAIR Quinoa Vodka. This indicates I received a product in exchange for review, although the opinions and ideas expressed are my purely own. For more information - read the disclosure of this blog.