Can Shots Be Sophisticated? And Is There a Difference Between a Shot and a Shooter? The 10-Minute Happy Hour

It's likely over the holidays you'll get together with old friends and perhaps more likely during this time of year you'll be offered a shot or shooter of some sort. Aside from being a college co-ed you typically aren't seeking Liquid Cocaine, a Redheaded Slut or a Prairie Fire as your drink of choice. So can shots be sophisticated? And what's the difference between a shot and shooter anyway?

Recently, I was at a neighbor's home for a little soiree. I say home in the most insanely gorgeous, picture-perfect sense. It was more like being on a movie set, and staying in character, the host had an array of offerings from the bar including ice cold vodka which she was serving in darling little shot glasses. She casually sipped hers throughout the evening, lending me to think about sophisticated shots.

Typically when I think of a shot, I think of something straight and strong with the sole purpose of getting your swerve on in a timely fashion or to toast a rowdy group. A shot defined by Merriam Webster Dictionary is a small measure, or serving (as one ounce) of undiluted liquor or other beverage. So if it's the amount of the liquor that defines it as a shot is it still a shot if you sip it? I tend to think yes, though my husband with numerous years of bartending behind him says NO.

You see, if you sip a shot of rare whiskey or a freezing cold shot of vodka, to me that is still a shot and it is most definitely sophisticated.

Next issue: Is there a difference between a shot and a shooter? Most people I asked (none of whom work in the bar/ booze industry) believe shots and shooters are the same thing. In fact the perception can be regional or even vary depending on the age of the person I was asking. Technically there is a difference. Amy Zavatto, expert dram drinker and author of the Complete Idiot's Guide to Bartending, says a shooter will include a mix of liquors and a mixer; a shot is a straight-up something, or mix of a couple of straight-up-somethings. (*Disclaimer she may have been sipping something when asked this technical question.)

No matter how you pour it, shots and shooters are perfect for putting your shot glass collection to good use. For this week's 10- Minute Happy Hour I'm pouring a chilled shot of Russian Standard Premium and pairing it with a simple cheese plate. And if you're curious I plan on sipping my shot and toasting my neighbor Mimi, who showed me how to make a shot seem sophisticated.

Do you think shots and shooters can be sophisticated or are they all Kamikaze's and Snakebites to you?

Maureen C. Petrosky writes what she knows, food, booze and parties. Author of The Wine Club, she appears regularly on The TODAY show to share her vices, and advice with the world. For more info check out www.maureenpetrosky.com or follow her on twitter @maureenpetrosky

Related: Help Me Find the Perfect Jell-O Shot Recipe!

(Images: Maureen Petrosky)

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Halloween Happy Hour Recipe: Spiked Pumpkin Pie Milkshake The 10-Minute Happy Hour

It's that time of year again when we get to throw costume parties, eat copious amounts of store-bought snack size candy, and dress inappropriately all in the name of Halloween. Halloween happy hours can be as serious or sweet as you like them. A few years back, as a guest on NBC's TODAY show, I had the chance to sip and shake with the authentic George Lucas-endorsed Yoda, Chewbacca and C-3PO, which for sci-fi nerds is about as serious as Halloween can get. Each year NBC's TODAY pulls out all the stops for the Halloween show, so it was no wonder the drinks followed suit.

For months leading into the holiday the development of the Halloween episode is kept TOP SECRET. Even as part of the program I was not privy to the theme until the day of. I was thrilled to be in the green room with herds of storm troopers and gangs of Ewoks. Being the original costumes from the Star Wars trilogy, each had a professional handler (a.k.a. a costume guard) so as Chewbacca and I shook up some drinks and toasted cocktails with Hoda Kotbe (dressed as Yoda) and a gold plated Kathie Lee (C3P0), the handlers were anxiously eyeing the wardrobe to be sure they didn't get splashed or such. We mixed up Blood Orange Martinis, a smoking cauldron of ghoulish punch and decadent pumpkin pie milkshakes.

That year I made them kid-friendly but the recipe below is suitably spiked for any adult parties needing Halloween cocktails this season.

Like many TODAY show fans I can only speculate on what this year's theme will be, but knowing the amazing producers it will nothing short of spectacular. What do you think they should go as this Halloween?

(If you'd like to see more of my wild time, here's the complete Halloween Happy Hour including Chewbacca and yours truly mixing up ghoulishly good drinks!)

Spiked Pumpkin Pie Milkshake

Serves 6 to 8

1/2 gallon Edy's Slow Churned Limited Edition Pumpkin Ice Cream, softened (Or you can use vanilla ice cream with 1 1/2 cup canned pumpkin, cinnamon and nutmeg, to taste.)
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 to 2 1/2 cups whole milk (depending how thick you prefer your shake)
1 to 1 1/2 cups Captain Morgan's Spiced Rum
Whipped cream and cinnamon for garnish
Straws for serving

Place the ice cream, vanilla, and milk into a blender. Puree until desired thickness.

For the kids: Skip the spiced rum and serve in mini pumpkins, topped with whipped cream and sprinkled with cinnamon.

Maureen C. Petrosky writes what she knows, food, booze and parties. Author of The Wine Club, she appears regularly on The TODAY show to share her vices (and advice) with the world. For more info check out www.maureenpetrosky.com or follow her on Twitter @maureenpetrosky.

Related: Easy Halloween Pitcher Cocktail: El Diablo

(Images: Maureen Petrosky)

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The Perfect Drink Recipe to Dress Up a Fall Occasion: The Jewel Cocktail The 10-Minute Happy Hour

One bottle of Chartreuse is enough for most people to keep in their bar. At last glance I noticed we had three, which was a tell-tale sign that I was neglecting this floral, herbal sip in my makings for happy hour. So I set out to find a suitable cocktail for fall that included this gorgeous, herbaceous green liqueur.

It didn't take long to find it sings when mixed with gin and since we'd been on a Negroni kick this was perfect for shaking up our tried and true happy hour go-to. Instead of the Campari in a Negroni, we swapped it out for the emerald Chartreuse and added some orange bitters.

Obviously, I was not the first to mix up this crew of spirits. In fact, this dates back to the turn of the century in Harry Johnson's Bartender's Manual. It is known as the Bijou, which is French for "jewel." It gets that name because it mixes the colors of three jewels; diamonds (the crystal clear gin), rubies (the red vermouth), and emeralds (the Chartreuse).

This sip was exactly what I was seeking. I've been gearing up for a big culinary event this month at the French Consulate with Les Dames de Escoffier, to celebrate Julia Child. So this jewel cocktail followed suit for my French night out, but I also found that it's ideal for dressing up any occasion this fall. Chartreuse is spicy and has all sorts of fall flavors like cinnamon, cloves, and pine. In a cocktail it can lend spicy and sweet layers that mix well with rye or whiskey, sips I usually savor when the weather gets a little chilly.

So whether you want a little French flair for your happy hour or you're looking to glam up your cocktail shaker tonight, go for the Bijou. It's tre magnifique and it's fun to say Bijou, you can't go wrong.

The Bijou "Jewel" Cocktail Recipe

3 parts gin
1 part green Chartreuse
1 part sweet vermouth
Dash of orange bitters
Lemon peel for garnish

Pour everything except the lemon peel into a shaker filled with ice. Stir and strain into a glass. Add lemon peel for garnish.

Maureen C. Petrosky writes what she knows, food, booze and parties. Author of The Wine Club, she appears regularly on The TODAY show to share her vices (and advice) with the world. For more info check out www.maureenpetrosky.com or follow her on Twitter @maureenpetrosky.

Related: Cocktail University: Chartreuse

(Images: Maureen Petrosky)

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Perfect Pitcher Drink Recipe for Summer: Sparkling Watermelon Sangria The 10-Minute Happy Hour

Throughout the summer, our CSA membership has pushed my culinary prowess to extremes. Finding ways to continually interpret items such as spinach, Swiss chard and summer squash into new and exciting versions has been trying to say the least. Canning and preserving have eased the plethora of said veggies, and incorporating herbs and berries into Happy Hour has been advantageous not to mention delicious. Here's the latest: sparkling watermelon sangria. Here's the story.

Last week my friend Jen delivered another watermelon to us. She apologetically handed it over, explaining the large crack resulted from an unexpected roll when she hit the brakes at a stop sign. No larger than a plump football, I placed the cracked melon in the fridge and forgot about it. Not because I don't love watermelon, but we were diligently still working on the one we had hacked into the week before.

But the crack was weighing on me. I didn't want it to go bad so the next day out it came, and with an enthusiastic whack I sliced it open only to find a luscious yellow flesh staring back at me. I was shocked! It was our first yellow watermelon! It was odd staring at the golden flesh while smelling and eating the sweetest watermelon (with real seeds) you could imagine. It was gone in record-breaking time. Even after this watermelon-feeding frenzy, we still had half of another watermelon to get through; so into sangria it went.

When making this sangria, you can puree watermelon with brandy or white port if you want a smoother slushie-type drink. I like my Sangria with the snack at the bottom of the sip so I cube my melon. It's like a drink and hors d'oeuvre all at once. Be sure your watermelon cubes are nice and cold because they do break down quickly and they're better with a firmer texture. You'll also notice I don't add any extra sugar here. The Moscato is slightly sweet and the watermelon is sweet enough at its peak.

So this week if you can't get eat your whole watermelon, break out your pitcher and drink it.

Sparkling Watermelon Sangria Recipe

serves 4 to 6

4 cups watermelon, cubed and cold
3/4 cups dry white port, such as Churchill's
1 lime, sliced thin
750ml bottle Moscato, chilled*
3 cups lime seltzer water, chilled

In a pitcher place 3 cups of the watermelon cubes (saving some for garnish) and white port. Be sure these are cold as they can become mushy when room temp. (You can even freeze them for 30 minutes first.)

Add 8 to 10 slices of lime.

Add the Moscato and seltzer water. Stir with wooden spoon to mix.

Pour into ice-filled glasses and top each glass with a couple pieces of watermelon and a lime slice.

* Wine recommendation: I like 7 Daughters Moscato because it's delicious and not too sweet, and it's under $15/bottle.

What's your favorite white wine to use for Sangria? Join the conversation here: Best White Wine for White Sangria?

Maureen C. Petrosky writes what she knows, food, booze and parties. Author of The Wine Club, she appears regularly on The TODAY show to share her vices (and advice) with the world. For more info check out www.maureenpetrosky.com or follow her on Twitter @maureenpetrosky.

More Sangria Recipes!
Perfect Pitcher Drink Recipe: Sparkling White Peach Sangria
Drink Recipe: Non-Alcoholic Sangria

(Images: Maureen Petrosky)

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