The Sauced Chef

At the annual STS Holiday Mixer I really wanted to spend time fabricating  a drink instead of food.  I also was getting really tired with all the beer and wine combos and wanted to feature a cocktail pairing.

I pondered many savory cocktail combinations before the the simplicity of orange and ginger smacked my brain, then tickled my palette. The final touch was turning the orange into a holiday drink.  The tasting panel judges appreciated the booze, subtlety and layers of the martini.  The cookie also was HEAVY on the ginger, which I love and enhanced the pairing.  Happy saucing people!

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Orange-nogtini

Makes 2 servings

Shaker

Martini Glasses

Handful of chipped ice 

1 shot of vanilla infused vodka

1 shot Grand Marnier

2 shots half-n-half

1 1/2 shot Sauce Lab #10: Eggnog Base

2 shots Sauce Lab #8 Orange Simple Syrup

1 shot Sauce Lab #7 Ginger Honey Simply Syrup

1 tbsp orange zest

1. Combine all ingredients in shaker.  Shake it like a Polaroid picture!
2. Serve in martini glasses
3. Optional: Top with SL #9: Creme Chantilly and orange zest

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Ginger-Spice Cookies

Mixer

Sifter (optional)

2 sheet pans lined with parchment

Rolling Mixture (1/2 cup sugar, 1 tbsp ground ginger, 1 tbsp allspice) 

1 cup butter

1 cup sugar

1 large egg

1/4 cup molasses

2 cups sifted all-purpose flour

1 tbsp ground cinnamon

1 tbsp ground ginger

1 tsp fresh grated ginger

1 tbsp ground cloves

1 tsp salt

1. Preheat oven to 350
2. Using the electric mixer at low speed, cream the butter and sugar until combined, add the egg and molasses and beat until completely combined.
3. Sift** together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and salt.  Add it to mixture.  Mix until combined at medium speed.
4. Roll dough into balls about 1/2 inch in diameter.  Roll the balls in the sugar mix. Place 1 inch apart on cookie sheets.  Flatten the balls shallowly with palm.
5. Bake for 7 minutes.  Cool on wire racks (optional)

** Sifting doesn’t really do much, so don’t worry about it if you don’t have a sifter.

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