12 Days Of Christmas Cocktail: Mommy's Colic Reliever

Amaretto has a great flavor. It’s pretty sweet to drink alone -- though Amaretto on the rocks after dinner is pretty awesome. A cocktail like “Mommy’s Colic Reliever” makes good use of that flavor but adds citrus to bring some tartness. If you’ve had an Amaretto sour, this is based on that drink — BUT only if it was made with lemon and orange juices. No sour mix necessary or desired. Nothing make a cocktail great like fresh-squeezed juice!

Compared to some Amaretto Sour recipes, I decrease the lemon and orange juices a bit (for more Amaretto flavor) and add vodka to 1) make it a little less thick and sweet, and 2) give it some mettle.

Want a maraschino cherry in your Mommy’s Colic Reliever? You can make your own: get a bag of frozen tart cherries from your market, and a bottle of maraschino liqueur (Luxardo is a brand I’ve used). Add the cherries to a jar and fill with the maraschino liqueur, enough cover the cherries. You can add cherries to the jar as you use them. I admit that I get a mixed response to these cherries. They are pretty strong and not nearly as sweet as the ones we’re used to. The great thing about making these though, is you also get to use the liqueur the cherries have been soaking in for other drinks. Add a tablespoon to your Manhattan.

Mommy’s Colic Reliever
.75oz Amaretto
.5oz fresh-squeezed orange juice
.5oz lemon juice
.75oz vodka

Shake all ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Enjoy.

Bonus Amaretto drink! Like the flavor of Amaretto by itself but want a drink that’s less sweet? This is a good solution.

The Italian Nanny
1.5oz Amaretto
1.5oz vodka

Shake all ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Pour into a double old fashioned glass filled with ice. Enjoy.

Comments

[AnEmily]

Thank you so much for these ideas-very inspiring! I'm already giving homemade grenadine to all my friends, I think I'll put together some cherries too! My liver cackles with delight and sends a wink your way.

[Jessica]

I forgot about Amaretto Sours. I think your version will be our Christmas cocktail this year!

[Sarah]

This is my favorite blog series ever.

[Dawn]

We used to drink (and need to start again) a drink called, "The Godfather". 1 part bourbon, 1 part Amaretto, over ice in a rocks glass...rub the rim of the glass with a lemon twist, garnish with lemon twist. Holy bejesus, they will eff.you.up.

Love, love, love this series! Thanks, you two!

[Pants]

Big fan of the Godfather! Never tried lemon on the rim -- that sounds excellent.

[Ashley, The Accidental Olympian]

Loving the little penguin!

[Dawn]

Back in the day, when I was killing my liver nightly, instead of on the weekends as I do now, we used to drink The Godfather as shots...can you imagine? Whoooo, baby.

Anyway, be sure to really twist up your lemon rind so it releases the essential oils onto the rim. That sounded a lot dirtier than I intended. Heh.

[lynne]

I've heard this (the amaretto, vodka and orange juice version) called The Godmother. Or maybe that's the name my husband I made up after several of them, I don't remember. But I do remember they are delicious.. looking forward to trying it with the lemon this evening! Thanks!

[Tina]

Love amaretto...can't wait try Mommy’s Colic Reliever. Yummy.

[jo]

I take maraschino from a jar and pickle them in cognac. THAT makes a mean cherry AND a mean juice to add to your Manhattan...if you are so inclined.

[Joy]

I love that penguin...it looks like he's presenting the drink with a "TA-DA!"

[Tracey]

I love amaretto with a splash of vanilla vodka and a maraschino cherry. Perfect dessert drink.