Reindeer Tracks Martini

The Reindeer Tracks Martini is a delicious blend of chocolate vodka, Frangelico and creme de cacao. Chocolate and a hint of hazelnut are so easy to love together.

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This is a rich drink, and it’s definitely not low-calorie. On the other hand, it’s not as overwhelming or cloying as a lot of chocolate cocktails are.

Why It’s Great

Most people love this drink. It’s so rich and creamy and sweet. You can serve this with dessert, or in place of dessert.

Tasting Profile: Chocolate, Hazelnut, and Creamy Indulgence

As you bring the glass to your lips, you catch the rich aroma of chocolate and hazelnut. The dominant flavor is a blend of creamy chocolate from the chocolate vodka and the subtle nutty notes from the Frangelico liqueur.

The creme de cacao adds an extra layer of chocolatey goodness. The finish is long and lingering, with the hazelnut notes gently fading, leaving you with a sense of warmth and indulgence that lingers pleasantly.

Some cocktails are so sweet that you can only take one at a time. This drink isn’t like that – you have been warned.

The dominant flavor here is chocolate, but you also can’t miss the hazelnut from the Frangelico. This drink actually tastes a little bit like Nutella, only creamier.

Key Ingredients You’ll Need

The Reindeer Tracks Martini needs a few ingredients to get that flavor just right.

Chocolate Vodka: The foundation of this cocktail is the rich chocolate vodka. This spirit provides the primary chocolate flavor, lending a decadent and indulgent character to the drink. Note: yes, you can use regular vodka if you feel the Creme de Cacao gives it enough chocolate flavor.

Frangelico: This hazelnut liqueur adds a subtle yet distinctive nutty flavor that perfectly complements the chocolate notes. The combination of chocolate and hazelnut is reminiscent of Nutella spread.

Creme de Cacao: This sweet liqueur further enhances the chocolate element, contributing to the overall creamy and indulgent texture of the cocktail.

Cream: A small splash of cream is added to the cocktail to provide a silky, velvety mouthfeel. This creamy component helps to balance the sweetness and create a luxurious, indulgent sipping experience.

Serving Suggestions and Food Pairings

This drink is so easy to serve in so many ways.

Serving Suggestions:

• Serve it in a chilled martini glass, rimmed with crushed Oreo cookies or any other chocolate cookie crumbs. This garnish looks gorgeous and adds texture.
• Consider serving the cocktail on the rocks. Ice can help to temper the richness.
• For a festive touch, garnish the drink with a sprinkle of cocoa powder or a small piece of dark chocolate.

Food Pairings:

• Consider serving it alongside a decadent chocolate cake, a creamy chocolate mousse, or a warm brownie.
• Or to balance the sweetness, pair it with salty or savory snacks, such as homemade potato chips, pretzels, or roasted nuts.
• For a more substantial pairing, consider serving it alongside a rich, creamy dessert-inspired dish, such as a chocolate-hazelnut cheesecake or a hazelnut-infused tiramisu.

For the cookie crumble garnish, you can use any chocolate sandwich cookie. Any cookie that crushes up into a dark chocolate powder will work.

It’s easy to crush the cookies. Here’s the way I like to do it – first, you put the cookies in a zippable sandwich bag and seal it up tight.

Then I crush them inside the bag, which keeps all the crumbs and goo neatly in the bag. To crush them, I use whatever’s handy, which is usually a big liquor bottle since I’m at the bar.

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