Scharffen Berger Chocolate Liqueur and a Valentine Martini Recipe
I’ve done a lot of liqueurs lately haven’t I? Cranberry Liqueur and Coffee Liqueur for the holidays and in my case made to give to friends and family as holiday gifts. I’ve got Limoncello in my brewing facility (OK, garage) that will be ready for summer but for right now? How about Chocolate Liqueur made with Scharffen Berger Chocolate. I saved this one because I thought it perfect for Valentines Day.
I love making gifts for special holidays. Except for my children, I haven’t purchased a gift for someone for, hmm…decades. Really. I just feel like it’s a true gift from the heart if I put myself into the effort. If you lined up all those years of gifts you would have a picture of how my interests have changed. There was the Pendleton wool jacket I made for my ex-husband (well, he was a husband at the time; I’m not nuts!), the quilted apron and pot holders for a mother-in-law, macrame hangers for potted plants, cross stitched pillows and jars of goods that I used to can after a summers bounty of berries and cucumbers. I’ve made painted sweatshirts, earrings, ceramics and stained glass. But nothing seems to satisfy me (and I like to think the recipients) as much as cookies, breads and these liqueurs. Oh wait…maybe the Maple Bourbon Bacon I gave everyone this past year for Christmas…yes, I heard a lot about that bacon. :)
I’m fairly certain that if I presented a gift to someone from a department store they would be perplexed and confused; surely wondering if my body had been taken over by an unseen entity. Sometimes that effort can run head on into real life and buying gifts would be easier but I know it would be so much less satisfying for me and as long as the people in my life seem to enjoy the fruits of my labors, I’m keeping at it. This liqueur and the martini made with it are my offering for this day when we express our love through flowers, candy and most definitely chocolate. Forget the abundance of commercial products…make this gift for your loved ones and show them a gift straight from your heart. And Scharffen Berger.
I don’t use Scharffen Berger for every baked good or dessert I put together; I’m also a big fan of Ghirardelli Chocolate Chips for my everyday fare. But there are times when the quality of the chocolate needs to be superior and this is my go to brand. They are only available in select stores and Whole Foods but if those options aren’t available, you can also order online. Sometimes something or someone special just deserves the very best.
Scharffen Berger Chocolate Liqueur and a Valentine Martini
Make your own chocolate liqueur and then make this cocktail for someone you love!
Ingredients
- For the liqueur:
- 1/4 cup unsweetened good cocoa powder
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup vodka
- For the Martini:
- 2 oz Vodka
- 1.5 oz finished chocolate liqueur
- Whipped cream for topping
- Shaved chocolate for garnish
- Preparation
- To Make the Liqueur:
In a bowl, dissolve the cocoa powder in boiling water.
In a saucepan, bring sugar and water to a simmer, stirring until sugar is dissolved.
Add sugar syrup to cocoa syrup. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a jar with a lid. Add the vodka, cover and refrigerate for one week.
To serve, stir well and strain again through a fine-mesh sieve.
To Make the Martini:
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the vodka and chocolate liqueur. Shake vigorously 5-6 times; strain and pour into martini glass.
Top with lightly-sweetened whipped cream.
Garnish with chocolate shavings.
2.0
http://www.creative-culinary.com/2012/02/scharffenberger-chocolate-martini/
This recipe brought to you by © Creative Culinary | A Food and Cocktail Blog | Website: www.creative-culinary.com
Disclaimer: This post was not sponsored by Scharffen Berger Chocolate; which means I can say whatever I want about them. Which also means I really really do like their chocolate. So there.