Black Elderflower & Basil Smash

A snow storm on Halloween? Really? With fall's appearance about as quick as LiLo's first jail stint, Winter sure did cometh, and it cometh quicker than we can handle. So now that our puffy coats are coming out of hiding to help keep our insides all nice and warm, it's time to down some drinks that do the same. This lip puckering cocktail - made with our favorite black elderberry syrup by Darbo ($12), Argumi's Lemon Italian Soda ($4), vodka, and some freshly julienned basil - will make you one happy (and warm!) camper.

Black Elderflower & Basil Smash

Ingredients

1.5 oz vodka

3 oz Argumi Lemon Italian Soda

1 splash of  Darbo's Black Elderflower syrup

1 medium sized basil leaf, julliened

Directions

Combine all ingredients, reserving a few strands of basil, over ice, shake vigorously. Top with remaining basil.

The White Lushian

Similar to the Big Lebowski's favorite cocktail The Caucasian (aka White Russian), our version of The White Lushian features our favorite milk from upstate. Battenkill Valley Creamery's whole milk is so silky and luscious that it actually holds up as well as regular cream. And with a splash of Bailey's Original Irish Creme, this cocktail mildly exhibits the milky sweetness of ice cream along with some serious alcohol levels that will most definitely have you cruising.

The White Lushian

Ingredients

1 cup of Battenkill creamery whole milk

1.5 oz Kahlua

1.5 oz of vodka

a splash of Bailey's

Directions

Combine ingredients in shaker and pour over ice.