I’ve been in the liquor store business now for 1 year; however, I’ve been drinking for a lot longer than that.  Hpnotiq has been on the market for longer than a year and I still have no idea what to do with it.  I think this may be a problem for a lot of people.  Its in an interesting and pretty bottle but what exactly is hpnotiq and what do I mix with it?  These were the questions I set out to answer this week.  And no I did not forget the ‘y’ in hpnotiq.  Which is another thing – I’ve been spelling it wrong for years!

Hpnotiq is a liqueur produced in France.  It is a “Refreshing Blend of Natural Exotic Fruit Juices, Premium Vodka and a Touch of Cognac”.  I read that.  Its on the front of the bottle.  On the back of the bottle is some more information.  The front of the bottle is reiterated and then it goes on to say/read:  “Always serve chilled – on the rocks, straight, with vodka, rum, champagne, or added to martinis, margaritas, shooters or your favorite cocktail for a unique twist.”  Hmmm….. champagne; that sounds yummy.
Just in case you are wondering what makes up ‘a refreshing blend of natural exotic fruit juices’ I did a little more research (read further along the back of  the bottle under ‘Ingredients’).  The juices are:  pineapple, white grape, passion fruit and orange.  Seems promising. 

Now, what to do with Hpnotiq?

I have to admit I did not come up with these recipes on my own.  I found these on a promo card and on the website – www.hpnotiq.com. 

HPNOTIQ CHILL
2 oz. Hpnotiq
squeeze of lemon
Serve over ice.  Garnish with a lemon wedge.

HPNOTIQ METRO
1 1/2 oz. Hpnotiq
1 1/2 oz. white cranberry juice
splash of lemon
Shake over ice.  Serve straight up.  For a twist on a Cosmopolitan , add 1 oz. premium citrus vodka.

HPNOTIQ BLUE MARTINI (aka HPNO-TINI)
2 oz. Hpnotiq
1 oz. premium vodka
splash of lemon
Shake over ice.  Pour into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a lemon twist.

BLUE BREEZE
2 oz. Hpnotiq
1 oz. coconut rum
splash of pineapple juice
Shake over ice and garnish with pineapple slice.

INCREDIBLE HULK
2 oz. Hpnotiq
2 oz. cognac
Layer over ice.  Present with stir stick.  Stir for transformation.

HPNOTIQ MARGARITA (aka HPNO-RITA)
2 oz. Hpnotiq
1 oz. premium white tequila
splash of lime
Serve over ice in a sugared or salted glass.  Garnish with a lime wedge.

BUBBLES ‘N BLUE
2 oz. Hpnotiq
2 oz. champagne
Pour chilled Hpnotiq and champagne in a champagne flute.

ROQ CANDY
2 oz. Hpnotiq
1 oz. premium citrus vodka
Shake well and strain into a martini glass.

BLUE ORCHID
2 oz. Hpnotiq
1 oz. premium vanilla vodka
Splash of orange juice
Pour over ice.  Stir and serve in a rocks glass.

HPNOTIQ BLUE WAVE
2 oz. Hpnotiq
2 oz. white wine
1 oz. ginger ale
Pour into a champagne flute.  Garnish with a slice of star fruit.

HPNOTIQ DREAMY
2 oz. Hpnotiq
1 oz. peach schnapps
champagne
Pour hpnotiq and peach schnapps into a champagne flute.  Top up with champagne.  Garnish with a  peach slice.

HPNOTIQ HEAVEN
2 oz. Hpnotiq
2 oz. champagne
1 oz. Chambord
Pour chilled Hpnotiq and champagne into a flute.  Slowly add Chambord.  Garnish with cherries.

HPNOTIQ LEMONADE
2 oz. Hpnotiq
1 oz. Lemoncello
1 oz. champagne
splash of lime juice
Pour into a champagne glass top with a lemon twist.

HPNOTIQ NIRVANA
2 oz. Hpnotiq
2 oz. champagne
grenadine
Pour into a champagne flute.  Slowly add the grenadine.  Garnish with a strawberry.  (this recipe comes from Dunes Bar in Boston, MA)

HPNOTIQ WEDDING COCKTAIL
1/2 oz. Hpnotiq
1/2 oz. premium gin
1/4 oz. amaretto
prosecco
Pour chilled Hpnotiq, gin and amaretto into a champagne flute.  Add prosecco and stir just to mix.  Garnish with a lemon twist.  (Gary and Mardee Regan)

MIONETTO PASSION
1/2 oz. Hpnotiq
1/2 oz. champagne
1 oz. orange juice
champagne
Shake with ice.  Strain into a martini glass.  Garnish with a flaming orange peel.  (Dale DeGroff)

BERRY HPNOTIQ
1 oz. Hpnotiq
1 oz. premium raspberry or strawberry vodka
lemon-lime soda
splash of  Chambord
Serve over ice in a rocks glass. Slowly add Chambord.  Garnish with cherries.

BLUE DEVIL
1 1/2 oz. Hpnotiq
1 oz. dry vermouth
1/2 oz. single malt scotch
Pour Hpnotiq and vermouth over ice in a rocks glass.  Stir briefly.  Float the scotch on top of the drink.  (Gary Regan)

CRONI-Q
2 oz. Hpnotiq
1 Corona beer
Add Hpnotiq to beer.

FRENCH BLUE HPNOTIQ
1 oz. Hpnotiq
1 oz. Chambord
2 oz. orange juice
soda water
Shake all ingredients (except soda water) with ice.  Pour into highball glass, add soda water. 

HPNO-PURPLE RAIN
2 1/2 oz. Hpnotiq
1/2 oz. premium vanilla rum
1/2 oz. peach schnapps
1/2 oz.  raspberry vodka
Shake with ice and pour into a highball glass.  Garnish with a cherry.

WILD BLUE HPNOTIQ
1 1/2 oz Hpnotiq
3/4 oz. white cranberry juice
1/2 oz. Cointreau
Shake with ice and strain into a martini glass.

And for those of you who like shots:

HPNO MEISTER
1 oz. Hpnotiq
1 oz. Jagermeister
Serve in a shot glass.

HPNOTIQ JELL-O SHOTS
1 cup Hpnotiq
1 cup boiling water
1 box Berry Blue or Lime Jell-O
Stir boiling water into Jell-O.  Pour in Hpnotiq.  Chill in shot glasses until firm.

POM PILOT
3/4 oz. Hpnotiq
3/4 oz. pomegranate juice
Serve in a shot glass.  (Dale DeGroff)

I hope that these have given you some ideas as to what to do with that bottle of Hpnotiq gathering dust in your liquor cabinet.  Or maybe you will want to try something new this ‘weekend’.  I know I’ve found a few recipes that have me intrigued. 
If you have any ideas of your own feel free to drop me a line at juliehemmerling@cjsliquor.ca and maybe I can share your recipe with others.