Don’t be fooled by my shoddy photography. That’s no regular barber shop candy cane you see there. I have something way better in store.
Some of you regulars out there already know that I am the only Indian in the world who is bad at math and science. What you might not know is that I also have the world’s worst sweet tooth. The. World’s. Worst. One time Mac Daddy and I tried the South Beach Diet, and I’d hide in the pantry scarfing down packets of Splenda just to taste sugar (fake or otherwise). It’s an illness. I’m telling you, it’s hard to satiate this sugar crush I have.
I have been delighted to work with a new store in town called The Lollipop Shop. Can you imagine a more fitting gig?! All the cliches about being a kid in a candy shop would not be lost here. I went there to load up on lots of old skool treats before my brother came for a visit. Bottlecaps. Zotz. Those wax bottles filled with sugar syrup. Pixie Stix. Mallo Cups. Bird and Deal tagged along and filled their bags with the rainbow mix n’ match smorgasbord of Jelly Bellys and M&Ms.; Our dentist just might retire to Bora Bora if we keep this up.
Today’s cocktail was inspired by perhaps the greatest marriage known to we non-teetotalers. Candy meets Cocktail.
The candy geniuses at Hammond’s created the cocktail candy stick. The stick looks like a run-of-the-mill candy stick that used to cost a nickle at the Hickory Farms store at the mall and came in flavors like Horehound and Sassafras. Wow, those sounds pretty hoochie when coupled like that, eh? The cocktail stick not only makes for a lovely garnish (and you know how I feel about the importance of appearances), it flavors your drink.
The candy comes in a variety of flavors that I am totally going to try. I swear there’s a perfect one for each season.
Fresh mint: This will be great in Hendrick’s gin on the rocks when the first dogwood buds start poking out their weary little heads this spring.
Lemon Lime: Oh, this just might make it very difficult to leave the hammock come summer when paired with an ice filled Tervis Tumbler of Rain Organics Cucumber Lime vodka.
Sour apple: Luscious in a caramel martini by a fall fire.
Pomegranate: Hint…read on…
This makes for a fetching Christmas drink can that you can totally repurpose for Valentine’s Day. And if you want to add these delightful candy cocktail stirrers to your bar, just contact The Lollipop Shop on their Facebook page. You can order some for way cheaper than I found them online. And for the record, just because the FCC cares about bloggers these days, this is a totally unpaid endorsement. I’m just sharing my amazing find with you, my cadre of happy hour pals.
With no further ado…drum roll please…
Ra Pa Pom Pom
Pomegranate juice
Lambrusco
Hammond’s pomegranate cocktail stick
Pour about 1/2 ounce of cold pomegranate juice into a champagne flute. Top off with chilled Lambrusco. Add pomegranate cocktail stick.
The stick will flavor your drink, cutting the tartness of the pomegranate juice with a tish of sweetness. The natural air bubbles in the sticks make for a fine straw. Beware the danger of sucking these down.
In college for one very unfortunate semester I got hooked on blue curaco and sour. They tasted like those sprees candies. No more candy drinks for me. Ever.
Gonna pass on that one. Is it too early just to opt for a mojito?
The peppermint stick with gin sounds like my cup of tea. And what is Lambusco?
Girlfriend, you must come to Chicago for the Candy Expo. ZOMG! Follow @candyusa on twitter and tell them I sent you.
Last year, the Hammons folks had the most beautiful candies I've ever seen. Though I'm more about chocolate than hard candies, I had to stop and swoon over the candy canes and lollipops.
End of May. Chicago. Candy Show. If my Skokie house isn't sold you can stay there (though for me sake, let's hope it's sold).