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 Martini |
|
- For the liqueur:
- 1/4 cup unsweetened good cocoa powder
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup vodka
- To Make the Martini:
- 2 oz Vodka
- 1.5 oz finished chocolate liqueur
- Whipped cream for topping
- Shaved chocolate for garnish
- 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.
- 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.
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.
{ 56 comments… read them below or add one }
This looks wonderful! Do you know how long this will hold in the fridge if I don’t use it all at once?
Quite a long time…I don’t even put mine in the fridge; the alcohol acts to preserve it. In the winter, I do have a shelf in the garage to open up shelf space in my fridge and I’ve had it for 6-8 weeks without an issue.
love! love ! love! now i can have my chocolate and alcohol at the same time :)
nice recipe! cheers!
dudut @mytwistedrecipe Most Recent Post: ChocolateLove: Choco Mango Cups
Just trying to help and make it easy. :)
I love this! A no-mess, 2-minute, things-I-have-in-my-pantry recipe. Plus it’s sweet and special and I have been dieing to use some of my Scharffen Berger cocoa in something.
I know, right? So dang easy…but then once I started making liqueurs I’m amazed at just how easy most all of them are. I’m going to have to build a new bar!
i will take two of these please . . . and can i just say, wow??!
SMITH BITES Most Recent Post: CHOCOLATE SOUFFLÈS WITH NOUGAT WHIP
You can, of course! I have to find a way to engineer this into my local food bloggers group event I’m holding here in two weeks. Coffee maybe?
How many times do you Wow.. I think I lost the count! You are the Czarina of creativity!! Love ya !!
Oh thank you…how sweet. Trust me…plenty of times I balance a dish like this with real life. Like last night. I had cereal for dinner. :)
Looks delish Barb!! I need to make this. Right away.
Heather | Farmgirl Gourmet Most Recent Post: A 30th Birthday for Brandy – Beef Machaca Tacos
Very easy to make and even easier to drink.
Yum! I love the chocolate liqueur… Definitely making this one for gifts. And, of course, the martini sounds just perfect!
Jen Schall Most Recent Post: Cardamom Coffee Cake
If I had more place to store it, I could go even more nuts with the liqueurs…so easy and so good. Hope you make it and let me know what you think Jen.
This sounds so delicious, I am boiling the water to make a batch as I type. One question, though. How long will this liqueur keep and does it need to be refrigerated once it has steeped for that first week? Thanks so much for the inspiration.
I just made my first batch of chocolate liqueur this year a couple of weeks ago…so I’m not sure! But my other liqueurs last a long time, the vodka actually is a perservative of sorts. I have a spot in the garage that’s cool enough (when you have 5 pint bottles and 6 pint jars there is no room in the fridge!). Because of the amount of alcohol I’ve never worried about it but if you want to be safe, either refrigerate or freeze. The amount of alcohol should actually keep it from freezing and it should last long enough for you to finish it. :)
I love the idea of all of your handmade gifts….truly from the heart. When I receive a handmade gift, I always appreciate the effort so much. You’re one thoughtful lady, Barb. As for the cocktail…well, it seems like the perfect thing for an evening snuggled up by the fire.
Cookin’ Canuck Most Recent Post: Chicken Pinwheel Sandwich Recipe with Roasted Red Pepper, Kalamata Olives & Herb Yogurt
Well, that is sure the way I hope they feel. I had someone once say, ‘I need to make some handmade gifts like you do this year cause I’m broke.’ OY…the effort is lost on that person. I think handmade is richer by far (and putting Scharffen Berger into liqueur hardly qualifies for cost cutting!).
Now that’s my idea of the perfect Valentine’s cocktail. Oh, yes!
Lana @ Never Enough Thyme Most Recent Post: Sausage Swirls
I might call it Valentines but I know some folks coming over for a football game that have made a special request. :)
This is incredibly creative, Barb! I love browsing all of your homemade gift idea they are so much more special than I box of chocolates!
Jamie | My Baking Addiction Most Recent Post: Super Bowl Recipes
I sure hope that is how recipients feel Jamie! My daughters are getting some chocolate liqueur for Valentines. Seems a bit weird still giving booze to my children but gone are the days of little Valentine hearts. :)
Your cocktails are the awesomest, Barb! Rock on!
Carolyn Most Recent Post: Tiramisu Chocolate Cups (Low Carb and Gluten-Free)
I love that word…so thanks very much Carolyn!
Barbara, you are so creative! I love hearing about all the incredible gifts you have given over the years. Just amazing. This chocolate liqueur looks very special indeed.
Katherine Martinelli Most Recent Post: Boneless Buffalo Wings and a Game Day Blog Hop
Thank you Katherine; it’s sort of what I have to do. I also garden and have decorated my home; including building a bar (I should showcase that in one of my booze posts huh?). Thanks for stopping by!
Oh wow, an adult iced chocolate drink – complete with creamy topping. I can see that going straight to my hips in such a happy way. You must have such fun experimenting with all these lovely drinkies, Barb!
Amanda Most Recent Post: Next stop – San Francisco!
You hit the nail on the head…I really do enjoy the drink business. The trying them, the photographing them and most definitely the quality control required of tasting them. :)
Now that’s my kind of cocktail! I can’t resist anything where chocolate is involved.
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen Most Recent Post: A New Site and a Special Announcement
It’s a nice little, hic, cocktail Sylvie. :)
Your disclaimer cracked me up, I love it! You do make a lot of liqueurs, and I am happy you do! They all sound really dangerous….I mean delicious! Hugs, Terra
Terra Most Recent Post: Cover 2 Sliders
Thank you for reading all the way to the end. Without a doubt a bit of tongue in cheek disclaimer. :) I think dangerous is the right word. Wait, so is delicious! Thanks for stopping by Terra!
Gifts from the heart are the most meaningful. These photos are so stunning!
Maris (In Good Taste) Most Recent Post: Super Bowl Snacks for New York Giants Fans
Thank you Maris and you are so right. My daughter bought me a very old cookbook from a local thrift shop; almost made me cry. She thought I was nuts but that $8 was not the point. Her knowing me well enough to find me something I will treasure was everything.
I would love to take a look into your liquor cabinet. It must be a thing of beauty. Happy early Valentine’s Day to you. I liked seeing the roses in your photos.
I have too much of this stuff right now; nudge me when you’re here and I might find a jar for you to take home if you’re lucky. Yes jar…those adorable bottles are pricey…I’ve now relegated my cache to Ball jars!
Photography wise, this delicious martini would stand excellently on its own. Adding the rose and the bottle of chocolate liqueur in the background simply made it a stellar work of photographic art.
What a lovely drink for a very special occasion. I’m looking forward to seeing that dessert you made with the liqueur as well. You let out more information about yourself in this post. I did not know that you did needlepoint, macrame and that you sew and quilt! Love it.
Paula Most Recent Post: Vintage Valentines
Well, I used to do a lot of that stuff…I seem to go through periods of enjoying something but I don’t do all those things at one time! I used to make all of my own clothes too but haven’t done that for years! I just feel drawn to creative outlets; I guess photography is it right now?
Shh…don’t tell but the dessert is ‘the bomb.’
What a lovely way to toast someone special and a great gift idea. I am going to order some Scharffen Berger. I have never heard of it, but then we don’t have a Whole Foods where I live.
YUM is all I can say.. I never realized you could make your own liquors.. That would be a fantastic skill to learn before next Christmas.
Chrissy The Clumsy Gourmet Most Recent Post: Stuffed Spiral Pork Loin Roast for the Holidays recipe
Very easy Chrissy, most are just a combination of a simple syrup, flavoring and vodka. Planning ahead is key…you want the flavors to meld thoroughly and the vodka to smooth out so start 3-4 weeks ahead of when you want the end result for most liquors. You can always try them sooner…you’ll soon find what time works best for your taste.
Oh my gosh I am buying vodka tomorrow! This looks SO good! Any kind of vodka?
Jayne Most Recent Post: Banana Bread
Jayne I usually ask the liquor store for a recommendation. Unlike some, I do NOT recommend Everclear, way too potent and way too harsh for my tastes. But it’s also not necessary to buy good sipping vodka since you’ll be mixing it with other components. I usually pay between $11 and $15 for a 750 ML bottle and find that the vodka in that price point works fine.
Ok… ok… you’ve convinced me. This looks pretty darn good!
It definitely a dessert drink…with a bite from the vodka. Not something for each and every day but a special occasion? Absolutely!
Oh my goodness… that’s not only a cocktail, it’s dessert! Just realized I am out of Scharrfen Berger chocolate… I know, I know, how COULD that happen????
But now I have a terrific excuse to go and splurge – can’t wait to see what the check out guy thinks of my cart when I go to Gelson’s today – chocolate, sparkling water and coffee!!
Nancy@acommunaltable Most Recent Post: Buffalo Chicken Fries
That’s absolutely what it is. Yes a bit decadent but every once in a while I’m OK with that. Also used the chocolate liqueur for a dessert coming out this week. With caramel. Thankful I had a houseful of people to help me finish that off!
gorgeous photos! I’m thinking you should be using your own chocolate liqueur in your coffee liqueur from now on instead of using the Godiva liqueur … that’s what I’ll do the next time I make your coffee liqueur! :-)
I actually was able to do that with my 2nd batch of coffee liqueur this past holiday. Great minds and all! :)
Beautiful photos Barb. What a special treat for Valentine’s Day or a day when you are snowed in by a blizzard. Hope your are keeping warm.
Karen Harris Most Recent Post: A Treat for My Valentine: Pan de Polvo Pancakes
In fact I am feeling a bit chilly…socks might be in order. But just had boy down the street call to ask if he could borrow my snowblower. In exchange for clearing my driveway and sidewalk. Um. YES!!
ooh now doesn’t this look good – we got some lovely chocolate liqueur over the holidays, may have to make a drink for my husband for valentine’s day – or just save this recipe for myself for after baby!
Jenn Most Recent Post: Gluten Free Ratio Rally – Popovers
As long as you have chocolate liqueur it works. I have some milk chocolate Godiva I still love.
Mmmhh, divinely chocolaty.
Cheers,
Rosa
Ahem…Maple Bourbon Bacon you gave EVERYONE for Christmas? Hmmm mine must have gotten lost in the mail!
And you are killing me! What is Valentine’s Day without chocolate and Chocolate Liqueur is the ultimate in romantic, I think. This is so fabulous, Barb! Gorgeous… yes I know, if I come to Denver you will make all of your incredible food for me. Believe me, that is on my bucket list! Happy V Day, baby xoxo
Jamie Most Recent Post: CHOCOLATE ESPRESSO LAYER CAKE
I should have qualified shouldn’t I? Local friends for sure but I only shipped some to my sister and my dad. If you are ever here over the holidays I’ll be sure to get a package on it’s way to you too…sis. :)