Cocktail Hour: Patriots Slushie

When I started doing cocktails on the blog a few months ago, I certainly didn't intend to make any cheesy blue drinks.  Don't get me wrong, I like cheesy blue or green or red drinks in certain circumstances - when I am someplace hot with palm trees and sand, but they are not something I would normally make at home.  That said, I couldn't let this week pass without some tribute to my New England Patriots.  I know, I know, they are the most hated team in football - a coach that allegedly cheated, a quarterback that promotes Uggs, and kinda obnoxious star tight end.  But the real reason everyone hates them of course if that they are champions and they win a lot.  As a New Englander I am a loyal fan of the team that started the trend of bringing championships back to Boston!   If you are routing for the other team on Sunday, fear not, you may have noticed that this drink would also work for you Giants fans, because conveniently, the Giants' colors are also red white and blue.  So if you are looking for a fun cocktail for your Superbowl party, this one is perfect, no matter what team you are routing for.  It will require you to purchase some cheesy blue liqueur, but come on, we all know those cheesy blue liqueurs taste really really good.  The recipe after the jump.
Patriots Slushie

For my cheesy blue liqueur, I went with Hpnotiq.  The reason for this was simple - it came in the smallest bottle at my liqorr store.  Blue Curacao is probably a better color for this cocktail, but it only came in big ol' jugs, and I just didn't want that much blue stuff on my bar cart.  Wikipedia tells me that Hpnotiq is a blend of "natural" fruit juices, vodka, and a touch of cognac.  Here's the thing, this stuff tastes really good, therefore it is deadly, so be careful.

Ingredients (for 1 drink)
2 cups ice
1/4 cup Hpnotiq
1/4 cup vodka (less if you want a weaker drink)
1/2 cup cranberry juice

Directions:
Crush ice in a blender until it is snow cone like consistency.  Put about a cup of ice in a tall glass, add the Hpnotiq, add a bit more ice, add the vodka, fill the glass to the top with ice and pour in the cranberry.  The three layers and the ice will all eventually blend, you can also mix it together if you don't care about the color layering (but if you don't care about the color layering, why are you making this drink?)