Cinnamon Toast Martini

I introduced the chocolate martini to my friend, Steve, in 2009.   They were the new thing back then and I was sharing them with anyone who’d join in.  Sometimes I really liked them, and sometimes not so much.  It was almost a year before I figured it out:  I really don’t like Bailey’s, and more often than not, it’s one of the ingredients.  After my discovery, Steve and I stopped sharing them and we’d order our own (because he DOES like Bailey’s) and we’d sip and compare, having our own little critiquing session…because the fun in this is that I never knew what I was gonna get!  When I’d say I wanted a chocolate martini without Bailey’s, it was up to the bartender:  sometimes it was Meyers dark rum, sometimes coconut rum, sometimes extra Crème de Cocoa, whatever they wanted to use.  

SO…2 weeks ago, Steve and I decided to come up with our own concoction and we went through several (too many!) versions, but just couldn’t get it right.  But what we DID come up with was even better.  We call it the “Cinnamon Toast Martini” because as we’d get further and further from the chocolate martini we’d envisioned, it started to taste more and more like Cinnamon Toast Crunch, my daughter’s favorite cereal!  Make some tonight for you and your friends and see what you think…but go easy…you  don’t want to drink so many that you end up with double vision and a wicked headache the next day like me and Steve!! UGH…

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WHAT TO BUY:

1 bottle Rum Chata
1 bottle Pinnacle "Cinnamon Bun" Vodka
chocolate syrup (I use Hershey's)
already prepared Cinnamon Sugar (found in the spice aisle)
martini shaker
ice

Freeze 2 martini glasses.  When ready to make the martinis:

Pour some Rum Chata in a shallow saucer
Sprinkle some cinnamon sugar in a shallow saucer

Take glasses out of freezer; dip rim in Rum Chata and then in cinnamon sugar.  You should now have a nicely rimmed glass.

Next, make design in the glass with the chocolate syrup:

Steve likes a flower design

I like a swirl design

In martini shaker filled with ice, pour 2 parts Rum Chata and 1 part Cinnamon Bun vodka.  Shake vigorously, pour into glass.  This makes one martini.

Sprinkle top with a pinch of cinnamon sugar.  Enjoy!