Alexander Cocktail

Though more frequently made with brandy, one can make an Alexander with gin. Concocted sometime before 1917, this drink has some history. Of the two, gin or brandy, I personally prefer gin. I also substitute half-and-half for the cream mostly. It is a perfect holiday drink pretty much everyone will enjoy.  However you make your Alexander I'm sure it will be great.
Music for making: The Christmas Song by Mel Torme and Judy Garland

Ingredients
2 oz London dry gin
1 oz white creme de cacao
1 oz half-and-half (or cream if you prefer)
Freshly grated nutmeg for garnish

Shake all wet ingredients with ice and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with nutmeg.

The Vesperado Cocktail

Continuing with the Fresno infused gin idea, I thought modifying the Versper with a little heat was worth a try. I'm pleased with the results. I just Googled "Verspado" today and there were no cocktail entries with that name, so you heard it here first. I began writing a description of how this tastes, but I started sounding like Guy Fieri. Killed that idea. Suffice it to say, "That's not half-bad."
Music for making this one: Desperado performed by Linda Ronstadt.

Ingredients
1/2 to 3/4 oz Fresno infused gin
2 3/4 oz Beefeater gin
1 oz vodka
1/2 oz Cocchi Americano Aperitivo
Lemon peel, for garnish

Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice. Stir, stir, and stir some more.
Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.  Express lemon peel into the drink, and garnish with it.
This is probably enough for two people. Sharing is caring!

The Hot and Briny Cocktail or The Dusty Fresno

Wanting to kick up my martini a notch, I thought a little heat might be desirable. Came up with this after sampling a Cobra Verde at LOLO in Hudson, WI.  This might also be called a Dusty Fresno since rather than dirty, we're adding a scant 1/4 oz olive brine. HUGE thanks to Rich for the sign and Keri for getting me to post this.
Music for making this: Son of a Preacher Man by Dusty Springfield

Ingredients
1 3/4 oz Beefeater gin
1/4 oz Fresno pepper infused gin* (see below)
1/4 oz olive brine or to taste (varies by olives used)

Add all ingredients to mixing glass. Stir, stir, and stir some more.
Strain it a chilled martini glass. Garnish with 2-3 olives.

*Fresno pepper gin
Add 2-3 slices of Fresno pepper to a small mason jar. Seeds and ribs removed.
Add about 6 oz of Beefeater gin.
Let sit overnight, remove peppers and leave in jar or transfer to a stoppered bottle.