Thanksgiving Pumpkin Pie Martini

This is the perfect starter cocktail for Thanksgiving. Finding the pumpkin liqueur might be a bit of a challenge, but well worth it (and a little easier to snag this time of year). Ingredients:

1 part Vanilla Vodka
1/2 part Pumpkin Liqueur
1 Part Heavy Cream
Ice

Mix all three in a shaker and strain into martini glass rimmed with a combination of raw brown sugar & cinnamon. Just like the slice of pumpkin pie for dessert this cocktail is delicious with a dab of whipped cream to finish. Enjoy and Happy Thanksgiving!

a simple, but necessary part of any tasty lybation

Simple syrup is very simple to make and is an essential part of any tasty lybation. You will find it in many popular mixed cocktails including Mojitos, Daiquiris and Hurricanes. This sweetener is primarily used as a substitute for raw sugar, keeping the cocktail from tasting granular and adds rich volume.

Making your own simple syrup is also more economical than buying it at the store. You can make as small or as large a batch as you wish and store it in the refrigerator in a well sealed bottle for around 6 months. It can be made in a variety of ways, here's how:

Thicker Simple Syrup:

With this variation you can use less syrup than a cocktail calls for.

Ingredients:

• 2 parts sugar
• 1 part water

Prep:

1. Bring the water to a boil.
2. Dissolve the sugar into the boiling water, stirring constantly.
3. Once the sugar is dissolved completely (about 3 minutes), remove the pan from the heat.
4. Allow to cool completely and thicken, then bottle.

To prolong the shelf life, add a little vodka, tequila or rum (whatever spirit you use the most) - usually between a tablespoon and an ounce, depending on how large the batch of syrup is.

Flavor-infused syrups:
Simple syrup can also be infused with flavor, such as lemon, lime or orange zest, and used in a variety of cocktails to add a unique twist.

hands down the best martini in the universe

That's right, the lybations crew thinks this is hands down the best Martini in the universe. I would attribute it to one of the star ingredients, St Germain, an elderflower liquer. It takes this lybation to new levels. Trust us when we say, you must make one, or two for you and some very close friends.

Basil Cucumber Martini

• 2 oz Vodka
• 1.5 oz St Germain
• 2 oz lime juice
• 3 slices of cucumber
• 4 leaves of basil

First, muddle your sliced cucumber and fresh basil in a cocktail shaker. Add some crushed ice, then add Vodka, St Germain and Lime juice. Shake well and serve in chilled Martini glass. Garnish with a sprig of basil or cucumber slice.

Tip: If you want a little kick, add a couple drops of habanero infused vodka. See our October 20th post for infusion recipes.

Chocolate Dipped Carmel Apple Martini

This simple combination is perfect for any grown up Halloween party. Experiment with your favorite chocolate liqueur - we sampled Adult Chocolate Milk, a cream-based liqueur infused with vodka.

2 parts chocolate liqueur
1 part carmel apple liqueur 

Rim a martini glass with your favorite Halloween colored rimming sugar (if desired). Pour ingredients into a cocktail shaker with 1 cup crushed ice. Shake and pour into prepared glass.

Tip: Keep your lybation chilled by mixing them a bit smaller.

Try these new infusion combos

Here are some of my favorite infusion combinations:

• Bourbon with cherry, fig, or peach
• Vodka with basil, fennel, or bell peppers
• Gin with chamomile tea, tomato, or cucumber
• Rum with banana, mango, or pineapple
• Tequila with blood orange, habanero, or strawberry

It's simple, just add the flavor of your choice, seal in a container and let stand at room tempurature for 2 days to 2 weeks depending on the strength of flavor desired.

You can turn a classic cocktail into a Lybations masterpiece by using your infusion - for example, a martini made with lavender gin or a Manhattan made with apple-vanilla bourbon.