I like to post new cocktails for holidays. Friends of ours have turned the Christmas cocktail post into a bit of a challenge for me. Julie’s contribution to her family’s celebration three years ago was my Poinsettia Cocktail. It was a big hit with her family. Every year since then, I have tried to come up with a new cocktail for Julie’s family to enjoy. And they have enjoyed the subsequent drinks, but not quite as much as the Poinsettia. I’m hoping this year’s featured Christmas cocktail becomes a favorite with Julie & her family!

I was inspired to make Prancer’s Passion by a martini I had recently. We were out to dinner for a Christmas celebration with friends at a nearby Italian restaurant we all enjoy. I had just about settled on a Lemon Drop Martini, but decided at the last minute to go with a martini I hadn’t tried before. I am so glad I did! I loved it! The very next day I hit the grocery store to get some passion fruit juice so I could recreate the drink. Unfortunately, passion fruit juice isn’t easy to find in our area. I substituted guava juice with great results. A week later, an upscale grocery store opened in our town and I was able to find a pineapple, passion fruit, and guava juice blend to use in the cocktail. It also made a great cocktail. Can’t wait to celebrate Christmas with this drink!

Prancer’s Passion Martini

Prancer’s Passion Cocktail (an original recipe by Linda J Heuser inspired by a cocktail served at La Dolce Vita Italian Restaurant in Lemont, IL) Makes 2 drinks

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces passion fruit, guava juice, or a blend
• 2 ounces Pinnacle Whipped vodka or vanilla vodka
• 2 ounces Malibu Caribbean Rum
• 2 ounces Triple Sec
• 2 ounces cranberry juice
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons Simple Syrup
• fresh cranberries, pomegranate seeds, or orange slices for garnish

Instructions:

Place all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker, half filled with ice. Shake for 1 minute, until the shaker is covered with condensation and the ingredients are chilled. Pour the cocktail into two martini glasses and add a garnish. Serve.

Combine the liqueurs, juices, and Simple Syrup in a cocktail shaker.

Garnish and serve.

Raise a glass of Christmas cheer!  ~Linda

Prancer’s Passion Cocktail (inspired by a cocktail served at La Dolce Vita Italian Restaurant in Lemont, IL) Makes 2 drinks

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces passion fruit or guava juice
• 2 ounces Pinnacle Whipped vodka or vanilla vodka
• 2 ounces Malibu Caribbean Rum
• 2 ounces Triple Sec
• 2 ounces cranberry juice
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons Simple Syrup
• fresh cranberries, pomegranate seeds, or orange slices for garnish

Instructions:

Place all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker, half filled with ice. Shake for 1 minute, until the shaker is covered with condensation and the ingredients are chilled. Pour the cocktail into two martini glasses and add a garnish. Serve.