3 Dessert Cocktails. 5 Ingredients.

Each season or event has its own cocktail of choice. Summer is the perfect time for a margarita, the Kentucky Derby has the mint julep, and the deep of winter can be warmed up with a hot toddy. For me, fall is a great time to enjoy some sweeter dessert cocktails after a hearty meal. Three of my favorite dessert cocktails can be made with only five ingredients. They are super simple to make, are very pleasing to the eye, and are even more enjoyable to taste.

INGREDIENTS
-Creme de cacao
-Cream/ice cream
-Creme de noyeaux/Creme de almond
-Brandy
-Creme de menthe (make sure to get the green kind)

The Pink Squirrel

Use equal parts (1.5 ounces) creme de noyeaux, creme de cacao, and cream. Shake with ice and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

The pink squirrel is the invention of Milwaukee's oldest cocktail bar, Bryant Cocktail Lounge. This bar is an absolute gem. My wife and I visited Bryant's nightly when we were in Milwaukee for a short weekend trip. They have over 450 different cocktails, but all of the recipes are a mystery and none of the ingredients are in display of the customer. The server simply asks you a series of questions to get an understanding of your tastes and mixes a drink customized to you.

The pink squirrel is one of those 450 recipes that has made its way into almost every cocktail lounge around the country. The unique ingredient for this one is the bright red creme de noyeaux. This bottle was difficult to find. I visited three different liquor stores and each had no idea what I was talking about. I finally found a knock off brand called creme de almond. However, don't try to substitute amaretto as the flavor is just a little bit off, plus you will be missing out on the awesome pink color that give the cocktail its namesake.

Note: For each of these three recipes you can use ice cream or heavy cream. I prefer heavy cream as I find it difficult to get the ideal consistency with ice cream.

Brandy Alexander

Use equal parts (1.5 ounces) brandy, creme de cacao, and cream. Shake with ice and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a dash of nutmeg.

The nutmeg garnish really adds to the holiday spirit of this drink. There are flavors of egg nog, ginger bread, and mulled wine present. This is a classic cocktail that should be in every bartender's recipe book.

Grasshopper

Use equal parts (1.5 ounces) creme de menthe, creme de cacao, and cream. Shake with ice and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with chocolate shavings.

I remember the first time I had this drink was at Chanhassen Dinner Theatre. After the first act, they brought around a dessert menu which had an entire section devoted to after dinner drinks. I ordered the grasshopper and absolutely loved it. I brought my wife there on our second date and made sure to ask for it again. It tastes very similar to a thin mint girl scout cookie and it is a great drink to comfort your stomach after a large turkey dinner.

May you never be without a drop for the holidays!