The Spirit World

This dessert cocktail is a bit fiddley… but well worth it when you take your first sip of pure vanilla silk. The essence of creme brulee, complete with burnt sugar rim, is the perfect cocktail to sip while tucked away by a roaring fire.

Creme Brulee Cocktail

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 vanilla bean
• 1 T casters sugar, plus more for garnish
• 1 part vanilla vodka
• 1 part Frangelico

To create the burnt sugar rim, lightly wet the rim of a glass, and dip it in a plate of sugar. Then, using a kitchen torch, carefully blast the sugar until it browns. If you don’t have a torch, you can try the broiler. Either way, make sure that you are using glass that can stand the heat… and allow the glass to cool at room temperature for at least 15 minutes before touching it! It’s best to start out caramelizing the glasses before you make the cocktail. Don’t worry… if you choose to forgo the burnt sugar, the drink itself is plenty tasty without it… just increase the sugar stirred into the cream a bit.

To make the drink, heat the cream, vanilla bean and sugar over medium high heat until it just begins to boil, stirring continuously. Remove from heat and add the vodka and Frangelico. Allow to cool slightly.

Shake with ice and strain into your caramelized glass. Also great served warm in a mug!