Secret Santé Time!

For the last four years Matthias from Served By Soberon has hosted a global instagram event called Secret Santé. Names are drawn, and those participating create an original cocktail for their recipient, like a boozy virtual secret Santa. While I’ve seen this event over the last few years, this is my first year actually joining in on the fun. Honestly, I was a little nervous about making a cocktail for someone I don’t know. Luckily I drew Shay from @choccoffeewine, and even though her account was new to me it didn’t take long for inspiration to strike.

Shay is a chocolate connoisseur, beer enthusiast and lover of whiskey and wine, so luckily I had a few options. I wanted something a little festive so I based this cocktail on a wintery red wine hot chocolate. I made a syrup out of Cow Cow Chocolate Milk Stout which is chocolatey, malty and adds a lovely creaminess to the drink. It maintains the flavor profile of creamy hot chocolate but in an unexpected way. After all of the work to make the syrup (it’s actually very easy) I’ve kept the ratios simple 1:1:1. A super easy, lower ABV cocktail that you can drink all night

Underneath The Tree
1 oz. chocolate milk stout syrup
1 oz. Elijah Craig bourbon
1 oz. fruit red wine or any leftover mulled wine

Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake until very chilled and diluted. Strain into a coupe glass garnished with chocolate shavings and glitter sprinkles. 

Chocolate Stout Syrup
16 oz. can of chocolate stout (Cow Cow Chocolate Milk Stout)
4 oz. sugar

In a pot over medium heat reduce stout by half. Once reduced stir in sugar. I recommend using a scale to make sure ratios are correct. Pour into a sealed container and refrigerate. 

Cheers!