The Weekend Cocktail: Homemade Irish Cream and a Winter Dream

BY GWEN KENNEALLY

I love this chilly, rainy weather.  Usually I like to sip on a nice red wine — or perhaps  something a little sweet. A dessert cocktail is a wonderful way to cozy up with good friends in front of a fireplace.

When making these drinks, it’s always important to use  good quality hot chocolate. If I don’t make my own Irish Cream,  I like Baileys. If you prefer no alcohol then simply omit. Nothing is more comforting than good hot chocolate with fresh whipped cream. On the east coast, they have something called Triple Cream. It is so much richer than double or even heavy cream.  Believe it or not, I have only found it  here in Southern California at Smart and Final under the unappetizing name of Manufacturers Cream. Give it a try and use it as you would whipping cream. Enjoy your chilly Winter Dream!

Chilly Winter Dream

4 ounces Irish cream

2 ounces amaretto almond liqueur

16 ounces hot chocolate

2 large dollops of fresh whipped cream

Pour Irish cream and Amaretto into two heatproof cups. Fill with hot chocolate. Stir and then dollop with cream and serve.

Jack Kenneally’s Homemade Irish Cream (instead of Baileys)

6 eggs

2 tablespoons vanilla

1 tablespoon almond extract

1 cup chocolate syrup

2 cans (14 ounces each) condensed milk

4 cups Irish whiskey

In batches combine all ingredients in a blender or food processor. Let stand for a month in the refrigerator. Pour into bottles as gifts.

Gwen Kenneally is the owner of Back to the Kitchen, Full Service Catering and Party Planning. Check out her website and blog www.Backtothekitchen.net