The Dirty Snowman

It’s rare that I peruse a men’s clothing catalog, because my husband isn’t a stylin’ kind of guy. Which is fine with me, since I’m not either. We probably often look like a couple of vagrants.

But during the catalog-intense period of time prior to Christmas, I happened to check out a men’s catalog that intrigued me. It’s called Huckberry, and the catalog pages were cute, with photos like this one.

But what got me excited was a cocktail recipe that was in the catalog, called The Dirty Snowman.

It contains cognac and dark beer, neither of which I like. I think it was the chocolate and hazelnut rim on the glass that got my attention!

Here’s the recipe:

The Dirty Snowman
Makes 1 drink

Cocoa nibs and chopped hazelnuts, for garnish (I used chopped bittersweet chocolate)
1/2 ounce simple syrup, plus a little extra for the rim
1 teaspoon cocoa nibs (again, chopped bittersweet chocolate)
1 1/4 ounce cognac
3 ounces dark beer (I used Guinness)
Splash coconut milk (I used freshly whipped cream)

Use simple syrup to rim a glass with the hazelnuts and chocolate.

In a shaker, muddle the 1/2 ounce of simple syrup, and 1 teaspoon of chocolate.

Add the cognac and shake well with ice.

Strain into the rimmed glass, add ice, and top with beer.

They suggest floating a splash of coconut milk on top, which could be tasty, but I preferred to add unsweetened whipped cream.

My husband loved it, and suggested I make some on Christmas eve.

Oh, and it turns out that Huckberry sells much more than men’s apparel. Cute stuff.

By Published On: December 15th, 201738 Comments on The Dirty Snowman

About the Author: Chef Mimi

As a self-taught home cook, with many years in the culinary profession, I am passionate about all things food-related. Especially eating!

38 Comments

  1. Travel Gourmet December 15, 2017 at 6:15 AM - Reply

    That would catch my eye too! Looks a great cocktail.

    • chef mimi December 15, 2017 at 6:43 AM - Reply

      I did taste what was in the straw, and it tasted like Christmas! No idea why.

  2. Tracy December 15, 2017 at 7:51 AM - Reply

    Mmm. Stylish men and a chocolate cocktail. Happy Christmas!

    • chef mimi December 16, 2017 at 11:02 AM - Reply

      Definitely!! Hope yours is very merry!

  3. anotherfoodieblogger December 15, 2017 at 12:02 PM - Reply

    Did you end up liking it? It’s a very festive drink, for sure. :)

    • chef mimi December 15, 2017 at 9:01 PM - Reply

      Not really! It tasted festive, but i just don’t like the taste of strong alcohol. But my hubs wants me to make them on Christmas Eve! He like the drink.

  4. cookingwithauntjuju.com December 16, 2017 at 6:12 AM - Reply

    What a fun drink to make – it’s amazing where we can find recipes. I have found good ones in my gardening catalogs. I use cognac and Guinness in a few of my recipes but never together in a beverage!

  5. Gerlinde @ Sunnycovechef December 16, 2017 at 7:23 AM - Reply

    All I can say is Prost and happy holidays to you and your family.

    • chef mimi December 16, 2017 at 11:01 AM - Reply

      Thank you! I hope your holiday is perfect!

  6. Mary December 16, 2017 at 2:32 PM - Reply

    Do you think it’s more of a man’s drink? Although I can’t see most men messing about with chopped Hazelnuts and cocoa nibs!!?! I like cognac and whipped cream but can’t do the taste of any beer. What a dilemma? But I will have to try it – my husband will think I’ve gone quite mad and blame it on Christmas craziness. Oh well!!!

    Enjoy the festive season!

    • chef mimi December 16, 2017 at 4:27 PM - Reply

      Hahahaha! Well then the drink is completely fitting to the season! With the whipped cream it’s probably not a “man’s” drink, but I don’t think it’s completely “girly” either! It’s quite interesting, and tasted like Christmas to me!

  7. A Cookbook Collection December 17, 2017 at 4:05 AM - Reply

    This sounds delicious!

    • chef mimi January 15, 2018 at 10:17 PM - Reply

      Sorry this is late! It was enjoyed more by my husband than myself, but that’s not surprising!

  8. eliotthecat December 17, 2017 at 7:11 AM - Reply

    Love that you found this in a catalog! :) I’m not much on the dark beer ingredient but may have to try this Xmas Eve as well!

    • chef mimi December 17, 2017 at 7:17 AM - Reply

      Nor am I, but it somehow works, if you like the taste of cognac…

  9. Fran @ G'day Souffle' December 18, 2017 at 9:27 AM - Reply

    It’s amazing where we can inspiration for our recipes- imagine finding a recipe in a men’s clothing catalogue! I am a not a beer-drinker, but this cocktail might suit me, especially if it has chocolate!

    • chef mimi December 18, 2017 at 9:54 AM - Reply

      I really tasted the blend of flavors, not anything by itself, really. Well maybe the cognac stood out because it’s strong!

  10. sue | theviewfromgreatisland December 18, 2017 at 9:52 AM - Reply

    I got that catalog too ~ but I didn’t notice the cocktail, I love it!

    • chef mimi December 18, 2017 at 9:53 AM - Reply

      There was some cute stuff in there, too!

  11. My Little Italian Kitchen December 18, 2017 at 4:51 PM - Reply

    Very festive and very stylish! I love your cocktail and you have give me a great idea. Thank you!

  12. heather (delicious not gorgeous) December 18, 2017 at 7:00 PM - Reply

    hmm yeah not a huge fan of cognac or dark beer (tbh beer in general), but that hazelnut and chocolate rim sounds awesome!!! maybe on a mug of kahlua spiked hot chocolate i’d be more interested (;

  13. FrugalHausfrau December 19, 2017 at 3:22 AM - Reply

    Just the name got me, lol! I’m not a beer or cognac fan, either, but I might just have to steal that rimming idea for something with kahlua? Gorgeous photos, Mimi.

    • chef mimi December 19, 2017 at 5:49 AM - Reply

      Good idea. The hazelnut chocolate rim is worth doing, even for milk!

  14. canelakitchen December 19, 2017 at 8:14 AM - Reply

    Absolutely love this recipe ! I have to try! Merry Christmas!

    • chef mimi January 15, 2018 at 10:16 PM - Reply

      Enjoy! Happy New Year!

  15. Jeff the Chef December 20, 2017 at 8:32 AM - Reply

    This sound both uncommon and delicious. And I love the name. One of our local grocers stocks nibs. I think I’ll try this for my Christmas taco party on Friday!

    • chef mimi December 20, 2017 at 8:34 AM - Reply

      Fun! I just finely chopped good chocolate for better flavor, although it was certainly hard to muddle the chocolate! There’s got to be a better way to make this drink. Oh, my husband said the whipped cream was integral.

  16. Frank Fariello December 23, 2017 at 7:17 AM - Reply

    What a beautiful drink! Something between dessert and a cocktail… very intriguing.

    • chef mimi December 23, 2017 at 7:34 AM - Reply

      It tasted much better than I would have predicted! J Merry Christmas Frank!

  17. Kelly, RD January 9, 2018 at 2:09 PM - Reply

    This looks so good! That looks like a fun catalog too!

    • chef mimi January 15, 2018 at 10:16 PM - Reply

      It’s very cute!

  18. orlando788 January 15, 2018 at 10:45 AM - Reply

    This looks so good! First time I am hearing of it!

    • chef mimi January 15, 2018 at 3:00 PM - Reply

      It’s an interesting combination, isn’t it?!!

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