Warning:  this drink sucks.  So, why am I including it in the lineup?  Because I mixed and photographed it before I tasted it.  Meaning, this post was already pretty much in the can before the most important part of the experience (drinking) occurred.  My apologies.

Now, you could feel differently than I.  To each her own.  So, please, if one evening you should have an open bottle of sparkling wine and an open bottle of white Creme de Cacoa feel free to mix the two.  If your gag reflex kicked in just thinking about that combination….maybe skip it.

I’m also including this in the lineup because full disclosure is important.  Okay, and maybe I’m lazy.  I have approximately twelve cocktails that I’ve pre-selected for this year’s little adventure and by-golly, by hell or high water we are going to slog our way through each and every one of them.

Am I concerned that we’re getting off to a bit of a rough start?  Cocktail one (cranberry orange margarita)…tasty.  Cocktail two (pomegranate french 75)…not magnificent.  Cocktail three…not good.  Nah.  Not concerned.  For a couple of reasons:  first, I know that a couple of old favorites from prior seasons are coming up at some point during the remaining nine cocktails.  Second, some of the other cocktails include things like half-and-half and creme de cacao….cranberry juice and vodka.  Fear not, intrepid cocktail consumers, there are greener pastures ahead.

Let’s get this over with.

First of all, I’d like to blame freutcake.com for this recipe.  Yes, I’m refusing to accept responsibility for this one.  With my luck, the link will send that blogger a notice and she’ll come read this less-than-stellar review and I’ll be black-balled from the world of online cocktails.  I’m willing to take that risk.

The recipe?  Ridiculously simple.  Let’s get really wild and not even break it down in “recipe format” (appropriate spacing, bullets, bold type, etc).  I crushed a candy cane in a plastic bag with my rolling pin, dipped the rim of the glass in creme de cacao and then in the candy.  Festive!  Per the instructions, I filled the glass 1/3 of the way full with creme de cacao (note:  I did use a larger glass than a champagne flute.  Perhaps that was the issue…but I’m not going to retry with the appropriate glassware…because I’m afraid to.  And the sparkly is pretty tasty by itself and I don’t want to pour any more down the drain) and topped it with sparkling wine.  I added a candy cane for a jaunty, festive look and took a sip.

At first I thought I could power through it.  In my family, you don’t waste booze…even if it’s not particularly good booze.  But, I just couldn’t do it.  Fa-la-flunk.  Tomorrow’s cocktail will be better….I have nine to choose from.