Friar Tuck

This drink is an obvious nod to the Robin Hood tales' drunken friar. It's even more obvious with its use of Frangelico, the monk-shaped bottle with the rope belt like a Franciscian friar would wear.

Then all semblance of a monkish cocktail vanish when crushed ice, grenadine and citrus turn this cocktail into a sort of nutty tasting tiki. And it's a good one to know. How many Frangelico cocktails are out there that are not creamy dessert drinks? Almost none.

• 2 oz. Frangelico
• 2 oz. lemon juice
• 1 tsp. grenadine
•  orange slice

Combine all liquid ingredients in a blender with ice. Blend until smooth and pour into a chilled Old Fashioned glass, garnish with orange slice. 

Russian Quaalude

Quaaludes or "ludes" were muscle relaxant drugs used in the 60s and 70s in dance clubs. They helped many people trip out to lights and sounds at glam rock shows. This is a similarly dated drink, as the name suggests. The idea is that a lot of vodka and Irish cream liquor and hazlenut liqueur will mess with your head and totally relax you.

This cocktail totally belongs in the category of Dark Ages cocktails of the 70s when a panty dropper like this, easy to drink and very addictive, was intended to compete with hard drugs of the time. It still has its appeal. I'm happy to report it isn't as filling as a half-and-half drink or a flip. It really is strong, and that's the point.

• 2 oz. vodka
• 1 oz. frangelico
• 1 oz. Irish Cream liqueur

Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a chilled Old Fashioned glass. 

Nuts And Berries

This was a drink I made to a guest's specifications. It is rather a dessert drink, but I can't fault him for wanting one on such a cold night in D.C. The cocktail is a combination of Chambord raspberry liqueur and Frangelico, which is a hazelnut and berry liqueur. That's got to be where the drink gets its name. An equal part of heavy cream and you have a dessert drink bar none.

• 1 1/2 oz. Chambord
• 1 1/2 oz. Frangelico
• 1 1/2 oz. heavy cream

Shake all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.