Words by Simon Difford
Cocktails are indulgent treats so it's fitting to garnish one treat with another. And whether they be candy, sweeties, confectionery, chews or chocolate bars, they come in mini/bite-sized formats, often individually wrapped, so perfect for resting on, or pegging to, a glass rim.
The range of confectionery available around the world is as diverse as the selection of accompanying themed cocktails and those below are predominantly from the UK/USA. Bring out your inner child with a penny chew washed down with something altogether more adult.
Black Jack
With: Byrrh, absinthe, amer picon, triple sec and liquorice bitters.
We say: For us Brits this cocktail rekindles memories of the tuck shop and a black tongue from chewing on far too many Black Jacks. Happily, booze now takes the place of the sugar rush.
Bon Bon
With: Vodka, limoncello, lemon juice, vanilla syrup and butterscotch liqueur.
We say: Relive your youth and the taste of those big round sweets with this sweet-n-sour lemony cocktail.
Crème Egg
With: Vanilla vodka, Licor 43, advocaat, white crème de cacao and cream.
We say: As befits the name, this chocolate and vanilla vodka-based Easter egg of a cocktail has both cream and egg - the later in the form of Dutch advocaat.
Dairy Milk Chocolate
With: Vodka, white crème de cacao, dark crème de cacao, cream and egg white.
We say: Perhaps serve with a shot glass of champagne on the side so this cocktail literally contains a "glass and a half". The picture of the glass and a half of milk is still used on Dairy Milk bars, the UK's best-selling chocolate bar, but sadly the slogan was removed after 80 years in 2010 due to contravening European labelling regulations.
Fruit Salad
With: Vodka, banana liqueur, Galliano, orange juice and grenadine.
We say: This variation on the Harvey Wallbanger tastes reminiscent of Fruit Salad 'penny' chews.
Gingerbread (Gingerbread 'Martini')
With: Vodka, dry vermouth, amaretto and gingerbread syrup.
We say: A soaking wet Vodka Martini with a festive dose of almond and gingerbread.
Jaffa Cake (Jaffa Martini)
With: Triple sec, dark crème de cacao, vodka, lemon juice, orange juice, orange bitters and egg.
We say: Sweet, dessert-style cocktail.
Love Heart
With: Vodka, strawberry liqueur, parfait amour and champagne.
We say: This lavender pink drink is everything you (or your partner) might want for a Valentine's tipple. It is the right colour, includes parfait amour liqueur (meaning perfect love) and the all-important champagne sparkle.
Marshmallow (Marshmallow 'Martini')
With: Vanilia vodka, passion fruit puree, vanilla syrup and passion fruit.
We say: Passion fruit and vanilla with a double treat as a garnish.
Parma Violet (Parma Violet Spritz)
With: Prosecco, club soda and violet liqueur.
We say: Inspired by and garnished with mini Parma Violet sweets, this spritz is flavoured with crème de Violette liqueur.
Nestles Milk Bar (Pisco Kid)
With: Pisco, white crème de cacao, white wine and fino sherry.
We say: This short Pisco-based spirituous stirred drink was inspired by memories of Nestle's Milkybars. White crème de cacao's sweetness is balanced by dry sherry and the acidity of Sauvignon Blanc wine which also adds grassy floral notes.
Chocolate truffle (Ramos Chocolate Fizz)
With: Dry gin, white crème de cacao, orange flower water, vanilla extract, egg white, cream and champagne.
We say: Creamy chocolate vanilla fudge with faint orange and a hint of gin.
Smarties (Smartini)
With: Vodka, white crème de cacao, sugar syrup and orange bitters.
We say: Citrus with a crispy chocolate edge. A sweetie.
Strega Chocolate (Accoutrement)
With: Calvados, Strega, lemon juice, orange liqueur and Peychaud's Bitters.
We say: A Calvados Sidecar / Applecart-like cocktail. Strega's excellent chocolates seem a fitting accoutrement.
Toblerone
With: Honey, light rum infused with vanilla, amaretto, dark crème de cacao, single cream and egg white.
We say: Nibble at the garnish as you sip honeyed, chocolate and almond flavoured liquid candy. Yumm.
Tootie Fruity (Tootie Fruity Lifesaver)
With: Vodka, banana liqueur, Galliano, cranberry juice, pineapple juice and orange juice.
We say: Tropical fruit laced with spearmint freshness.
Tootsie Roll
With: Rye whiskey, Pedro Ximénez sherry and chocolate bitters.
We say: A spirit-forward cocktail that tastes reminiscent of the Tootsie Roll chews it is named for.
Turkish Delight (Persepolis)
With: Light rum, Strega, rose syrup and lime juice.
We say: With its strong rose flavour, the Persepolis is somewhat reminiscent of a Turkish Delight so is very appropriately garnished.
Turkish Delight (A Rose By Any Other Name)
With: Cognac, sweet vermouth, rose liqueur, violet liqueur and chocolate bitters.
We say: A dry spirit-led sipper with faint floral and chocolate notes. Perhaps forgo the grated chocolate garnish in favour of a square of dark chocolate balanced on Turkish Delight.
Werther's Original (Buttercup Cocktail)
With: Genever, butterscotch liqueur and sweet vermouth.
We say: Heavy on the genever, and is even better when an oude genever is used rather than a jonge as this amplifies the butterscotch notes.
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