Vegan Cocktails And Vegan Drinks

After a long work week, nothing says TGIF more than sharing some nice cocktails with your favorite friends. After a bit of searching and digging, I compiled this list of lovely vegan cocktails to enjoy over the weekend, or to file away for a later time.

Coffee & Donuts Using 360 Vodka In the Glazed Donut Flavor

Coffee & Donuts Martini Using 360 Vodka In the Glazed Donut Flavor

COFFEE & DONUTS MARTINI

Makes 1

Ingredients:

1.5 oz. 360 Vodka in the Glazed Donut Flavor

2 oz. Coffee

Directions:

Shake with ice and strain into a martini glass. Sugar rim (optional)

*Note: 360 Vodka is a really good brand of vodka which markets itself as being “green and eco-friendly.” It comes in about 13 interesting flavors including Glazed Donut, Double Chocolate, Cola, Georgia Peach, and Madagascar Vanilla. I highly suggest that you go onto 360 Vodka’s website to check out this vegan-friendly brand. My brother, Matt, recently bought me the Double Chocolate flavor as a gift, and I have been enjoying it ever since. I drink it straight out of the freezer in a martini glass over ice. Excellent!

Black Forest Martini from Fragrant Vanilla Cake

BLACK FOREST MARTINI

From Fragrant Vanilla Cake

Makes 1

1 Tbsp. agave nectar

1 Tbsp. cocoa powder

6 ice cubes

1/4 cup fresh organic cherry puree

4 oz. prairie organic vodka (or your favorite)

2 Tbsp. agave vanilla syrup* (Could be made a few days in advance)

2 Tbsp. full fat coconut milk from the top of the can, well-chilled

a dash pure vanilla extract

a dash agave nectar

2 fresh organic cherries

Directions:

Whisk together the cocoa powder and agave nectar until smooth and chocolate sauce consistency. Place a little on a plate, and dip the rim of your martini glass in it to coat the edge. Turn glass right side up and spoon about 1 Tbsp. chocolate sauce into the bottom of the glass. Set aside.

In a martini shaker, combine the ice, cherry puree, vodka, and vanilla syrup. Shake until well-blended. Pour the mixture over the chocolate sauce in the glass. Whisk the coconut milk with the dash of vanilla and agave nectar until smooth, and spoon on top of the drink.

Garnish with a couple of cherries and serve.

*To make vanilla agave syrup, combine 1/4 cup agave nectar with 1/4 cup filtered water in a small jar. Add one vanilla bean, slit lengthwise, place the top on and shake. Let sit for a few days to infuse. Store in the fridge.

Gas Panic Cocktail from Tasting Table

GAS PANIC COCKTAIL

From Tasting Table

Makes 1

Ingredients:

1 lemon

Ice

2 1/2 ounces mango nectar

1 1/2 ounces vodka or gin

2 pinches powdered green tea (matcha)

Directions:

1. Zest a pinch of rind off the lemon. Halve the lemon crosswise and squeeze 1/2 ounce (1 tablespoon) of juice from one of the halves. Slice a lemon wheel from the other lemon half.

2. In a cocktail shaker or mixing glass add the ice, lemon juice, mango nectar, vodka and green tea. Cover, shake vigorously and strain into a martini glass. Garnish by sprinkling the lemon zest on top and perching the lemon wheel on the rim of the glass.

Sriracha Bloody Mary

SRIRACHA BLOODY MARY

Adapted from the website Macheesmo

Yield: 32 Ounces of mix

Ingredients:

32 ounces tomato juice

1/4 cup Sky Valley By OrganicVille Sriracha Sauce (or less)

2 tablespoons horseradish

1 tablespoon vegan worcestershire sauce (I use Annie’s Naturals)

1 teaspoon celery salt

1 teaspoon kosher salt

2 teaspoons black pepper

1/2 lemon, juice only

Garnish: Celery or Olives, or both!

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients (except the vodka) in a big bowl. Start with 2-3 tablespoons Sriracha and add more to get to your desired level of spiciness.

2. Once all your ingredients are combined, taste and adjust flavors.

3. Make a bloody mary with 3 parts mix to 1 part vodka. So for 2 ounces of vodka, use 6-8 ounces of the mix.

4. Garnish and serve!

Pineapple-Chili Margarita

PINEAPPLE-CHILI MARGARITAS

From Food Network Magazine

Serves 4

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons coarse salt

1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder

1 cup tequila (There are many vegan brands such as Jose Cuervo. Check Barnivore to make sure your tequila is vegan)

1 cup pineapple juice

1/2 cup fresh lime juice

1 1/2 tablespoons agave nectar

Directions:

Wet the rims of 4 short glasses and dip in a mixture of the coarse salt and chili powder. Fill a cocktail shaker two-thirds of the way with ice. Add the tequila, pineapple juice, lime juice and agave nectar. Shake well, then strain into the glasses.