Holiday Hammer Cocktail

It's hard to believe that Chanukah is half over.  Despite all the work involved, everything slows down, even for just a moment as evening falls, signalling time to add another candle to the menorah.

Then time to open another present, following by a very grown-up dose of vitamin C.

I'm not a good drinker.  After all these years, my tolerance still hovers around zero.   But lately there have been many excuses to attempt a build-up.  Holidays, weddings, showers, birthdays, tough days at work and tougher days at home doing work.  Not necessarily in that order.

I'm not sure how I came up with this simple drink, except that the almond flavor of Disaronno and the orange flavor of orange juice sounded like a great combination.  Three ingredients in all, four if you count the ice.  Pour the first three over the fourth, stir and pop in a straw.  A co-worker who will remain nameless (since I forgot to ask permission) rationalized that the added cinnamon makes this an official holiday drink.   To look more fancy-schmancy holiday-ish,  garnish with a cherry and/or a slice of that orange before the squeezing step. 

There are a few brands of amaretto on the market, but in my humble opinion Disaronno is the best.

Disclaimer:  there ain't none ... no remuneration was given for an endorsement.  I just like the stuff.

Hammer is a play on the more famous oj and vodka mixture called a Screwdriver.  Hammer also describes how it attacks my head the next day if I don't bother measuring and wind up pouring the Disaronno with a too-heavy hand.   You can now truly say, this Hammer really nails it.


Holiday Hammer Cocktail
Yield: 1 serving 

pinch of ground cinnamon
1 jigger (1-1/2 ozs.) Disaronno
4 ozs. orange juice (preferably fresh-squeezed)

Fill a glass with ice. Add cinnamon, Disaronno and orange juice to glass, in order. Stir to combine. Pop in a straw.

Serve immediately. Sip and savor slowly.