Hurricane Cocktails

As Hurricane Sandy envelops the Eastern seaboard, there's not much that can be done aside from hunkering down and riding out the storm from home.

Might as well make a cocktail. Here are a few cocktail recommendations from Effen Vodka and Cruzan Rum.

Cruzan� Single N' Stormy

2 parts Cruzan� Single Barrel Rum
4 parts Ginger Beer
Cruzan� Blackstrap Rum Float
1 Lime

Method: Combine all ingredients over ice in tumbler and shake for 20 seconds.
Pour into a tall glass.
Squeeze lime juice and float Cruzan� Blackstrap on top.

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Effen Black Cherry Cyclone

1 1?2 parts Effen Black Cherry Vodka
1?2 part DeKuyper� Peachtree Schnapps Liqueur o 1 1?2 parts Fresh Apple Juice
3?4 part Lemon Juice
1?2 part Simple Syrup
6 Basil Leaves

Method: In a mixing glass, muddle basil, lemon, and simple syrup. Add remaining ingredients and stir with ice. Strain into a low tumbler over ice. Garnish with Basil.

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Cruzan� Mango Hurricane
1 part Cruzan� Mango Rum
1 part Cruzan� Aged Dark Rum
Orange Juice
Splash of Grenadine

Method: Combine ingredients with ice in a hurricane glass.
Add a splash of grenadine.
Garnish with orange wedge and cherry.

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Effen Stormy Weather
1 1/2 parts Effen Vodka
1/2 part Triple Sec
1/2 part Lime Juice
3/4 parts Spiced Syrup (see recipe below)
1 dash Angostura� Bitters
Ginger Beer

Method: Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker over ice and shake. Strain and pour into a cocktail glass with ice.

Spiced Syrup
8 parts Water
8 parts White Sugar
1 tsp Cinnamon
1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
4 Whole Cloves
1 Star Anise
1/8 tsp Ground Allspice or 5 Whole Allspice Pods

Method: Combine all ingredients, except sugar, in stove-top pan and bring to a boil.
Turn off heat, add sugar and stir until sugar is dissolved.
Let cool.
Strain all particles and refrigerate. Spiced Syrup will last up to two weeks.

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