Happy Hour: Espresso Shots

These shooters are sure to keep the party going. Pass them around any time you need an energy boost. They’ve fueled many of my parties and kept guests dancing longer than they originally intended to. Yield: Makes 3 to 4 ounces.

Ingredients
Peel of an orange
Chocolate shavings from the best quality chocolate bar
Chili pepper flakes
1 ounce best quality, premium Vodka or Tequila
1/2 ounce Kahlua especial (70 proof)
1/2 ounce Tia Maria
1 ounce cold espresso

Instructions

1. Rim the tube/shot glass with the peel of an orange rind. Dip the rim of the glass in chocolate shavings and chili pepper flakes.

2. Place the vodka or tequila, Kahlua, Tia Maria and espresso in a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into test tubes or shot glasses.

Source: Colin Cowie

Happy Hour: Vodka Gimlet

Ingredients
2 oz vodka
1/2 oz Rose's unsweetened lime juice

Instructions

Combine all the ingredients in a mixing glass with several ice cubes. Stir well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Source: Colin Cowie

Happy Hour: Tall Cool Blonde

Ingredients
5 tulip petals
1 part Grenadine
2 parts Lemoncello
2 egg whites
Confectioner’s sugar
4 parts Stolichnaya® elit™ vodka
Sparkling water

Instructions

1. Pack a tall Collins glass with ice and tulip petals.

2. Pour Grenadine into bottom of glass, followed by Lemoncello and let settle. Whip egg whites and dash of confectioner’s sugar in blender.

3. Pour Stolichnaya® elit™ into glass, and top with sparkling water. Spoon egg white meringue on top.

Source: Colin Cowie

Happy Hour: Coviello Cup

Ingredients
3 leaves of fresh basil
4 parts Stolichnaya® elit™ vodka
2 parts orange juice
1 part sweet vermouth
1 part simple syrup
Diced cucumber
Cucumber sphere for garnish

Instructions

1. Pack a double rocks glass with ice and three basil leaves.

2. In a shaker, mix the additional ingredients with the diced cucumber. Shake vigorously and strain into glass.

3. Garnish with a cucumber sphere.

Source: Colin Cowie

Happy Hour: Strepe Chepe

This is a fabulous, refreshing, and potent concoction, which is ideal for launching a summer party. The tricky thing about frozen drinks like this one is that you don't taste the alcohol. It can give such a fresh, innocent impression but it can sneak up on you. So be careful, and enjoy!

Ingredients
8 ounces high-quality vodka
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
3 tablespoons superfine sugar, plus more to taste
1/2 cup fresh mint leaves, tightly packed

Instructions
Combine all the ingredients in a blender full of ice cubes and blend until the contents achieve a uniform frozen consistency. Add more sugar periodically as needed, or until the mixture is just right. Serve in champagne flutes.

Source: Colin Cowie