Hot Chocolate for Grown Ups

Baking and posting all these cookies has me plum tuckered out. I have two more holiday cookies left to finish. Ah, time for a martini break. Did someone say cocktails? Yeah, baby! Keep this martini out of the reach of children. Do not operate farm or industrial machinery while sipping. You must be this tall to savor this cocktail. May cause serious enjoyment to spontaneously occur if unsupervised. This Hot Chocolate Martini may be enjoyed without the expressed written consent of Major League Baseball. Ladies and Gentlemen and everyone else, start your shakers!

Hot Chocolate Martini - adapted from 101 Martinis
Serves One (so go ahead and make some more!)

3 ounces cooled Swiss Miss hot chocolate, prepared as directed on package,
OR homemade hot chocolate, cooled to touch, preferred
1 ounce Bols dark crème de cocoa
1 ounce Bailey's Irish Cream or Carolans Cream liqueur
3/4 ounce Stoli Vanilla Vodka
Crystal clear store bought cracked ice, please!
NOT that stuff in a dingy plastic tray from the back of your freezer
3 to 4 Kraft miniature marshmallows
OR a spritz of Reddi Whip, for garnish
(put away that darn cool whip!)

Combine the cooled hot chocolate, dark crème de cacao, cream liqueur, and vanilla vodka in a cocktail shaker filled with clear ice and shake moderately. Strain into a chilled martini glass. To garnish, drop 3 to 4 miniature marshmallows into the glass and carefully toast them with a crème brûlée torch, if desired. I love a man who can harness the power of fire, even if it's through a butane cigar lighter. OR if you prefer, SLOWLY spritz a shot of whipped cream on top. Careful, don't spray this martini all over the place. Now go make another one!

IMPORTANT NOTE: Congratulations to the Cardinals on their World Series win. Is it too soon to be saying wait till next year, and THINK BLUE? Nah!