I need a reco for a gift bottle of something...

So here’s the thing, I’m heading down to Kansas City next week for the American Royal Barbecue Cook-off, and I need a drinkable gift to bring down to my hosts. I’ve stayed with these folks for several years now and we have a great time, running the Barbecue Sauce Store at the Royal during the day and sitting around playing cards and drinking adult beverages late into the night.

My hostess is partial to a bottled product called Tequila Rose, a cream based strawberry flavored tequila liqueur which, if you like sweeter liqueurs, is a pretty tasty sipping drink for late at night. I’ve brought her numerous bottles of that over the years and feel it is getting a bit repetitive.

Last year I brought down a bottle of Kahlua and made White Russians (or as The Big Lebowski refers to them, “Caucasians”) that everybody enjoyed quite a bit.

I’m hoping to find something a little different this year and would appreciate your input. I’m definitely looking for a liqueur on the sweeter side, preferably a cream base, in the $15 to $25 range. Trying to avoid the usual suspects (Bailey’s, et al), and something I can pick up in the Chicago area; I don’t want to wait for something ordered over the internet.

So, whaddaya got folks?

Buddy

BR,

How about a bottle of Godiva Chocolate Liquer and a nice bottle of vodka to make chocolate Martinis?

Flip

Strong potential. Does Godiva fit the budget?

Buddy

It should be around $20-$25/750 ml. Starbucks coffee liqueur or creme liqueur are a little less expensive.

Have you ever tried rum cream? It's sorta like Bailey's, but made with rum instead of whiskey. It's delicious and available here for your price point. I think Sam's only carries the Cruzan variety, if you see the Sangster's (from Jamaica) get that!

figmolly, that sounds pretty good. Can you use it as a mixer to make other drinks, say a creamy pina colada for instance?

Buddy

The trip to Xni Pec further inspired my general Mayan jones -- together with Rick Bayless exposition on Yucatan food the following evening in which he recommended Xtabentun by D'Aristi -- a honey liqueur w/anisette and rum ... classically made from the honey of yucatanese stingless bees from the xtabentun blossom ... found it at Sam's and it is amazing -- also contains a recipe for Sex on the Beach when combined with a rasperry liqueur & other embellishments.

Can you use it as a mixer to make other drinks, say a creamy pina colada for instance?

I've never tried that, but it sounds terrific. Let me know you give it a go.