Shake Things Up This Holiday: Unique Beverages for Your Next Party

Innovative, Peanutty Cocktails Featured on Fine Living Network

ATLANTA, Nov. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- With the holidays just around the corner, party hosts everywhere are beginning to plan their event menus. This year, why not cast aside the old standbys in favor of something new, delicious and sure to please guests.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091110/CL08207 )

This holiday season, USA-grown peanuts are adding familiar flavor in unfamiliar territory. Peanuts and peanut butter were recently featured in beverage recipes on two Fine Living Network series: Bartender Wars and Great Cocktails.

The program pit three master mixologist contestants against one another to see who could create the tastiest peanut cocktail as judged by special guests, including Texas peanut farmer Roger Neitsch, Chairman of the National Peanut Board.

Now you can bring the spoils of war home and create these delicious cocktails for your party guests. These decadent beverages - the Peanutini, the Peanut Pear-adise and the Creamy Rye Flip - will no doubt be hits at your next party.

Mixologist Kimble Knight walked away as champion of the peanut round of the competition with his Creamy Rye Flip - a delicious take on the beloved PB & J.

    Creamy Rye Flip
    Courtesy of Kimble Knight

    Ingredients:
    2 1/2 oz. rye whiskey
    3/8 oz. Kijafa cherry wine
    3/8 oz. Grand Marnier
    3/16 oz. Chambord
    3/8 oz. fresh lemon juice
    1/4 tsp. creamy peanut butter
    1 tsp. raw sugar
    1 egg white
    2 dashes orange bitters
    Cinnamon for garnish


    Preparation:
    Build ingredients in the pint glass and add ice; shake vigorously for two
    minutes and strain in to a coupe glass. Garnish with a light dust of
    cinnamon on the side of glass.

Fine Living is also airing a Great Cocktails segment, which features a holiday-inspired creation called The Nutcracker Sweet. This seasonal, peanut infused rum cocktail is smooth and tasty - ideal for any holiday gathering. Not only is the drink delicious, but infusing your own rum is fun and easy to do.

    The Nutcracker Sweet

    The Rum Infusion:
    In a sealable jar, cover 1 cup unsalted, dry-roasted peanuts with 12 oz of
    dark aged rum (best to use Dominican or Puerto Rican rum)
    Leave the mixture in a cool, dark place for 4 days
    Strain out the peanuts and place into the fridge for another day
    Strain the liquid through cheesecloth, and it's ready to use

    The Cocktail Recipe:
    Into a chilled tumbler:
    1 1/2 oz. peanut-infused rum
    1/2 oz. creme de cacao
    Add ice, stir and then strain into a chilled coupe
    Whip some heavy cream using a vigorous 10 second shake, and add a thin
    layer on top of the cocktail.

For the other recipes featured on the program and for more information about the National Peanut Board, visit www.nationalpeanutboard.org.

About the National Peanut Board

Through research, education and marketing initiatives, the Board works to improve efficiencies for peanut farmers and promotes the great taste, nutrition and culinary versatility of USA-grown peanuts. For more information, visit www.nationalpeanutboard.org.

SOURCE The National Peanut Board