Ingredients

•   Orange wedge
•   Vanilla Sugar (recipe below) or granulated sugar
• 2  cups ice cubes
• 1  cup vanilla vodka*
• 1/2  cup Irish cream liqueur, whole milk, whipping cream, half-and-half or light cream
• 1  Tbsp. Cointreau®, Grand Marnier®, orange liqueur, or orange juice
•   Thin orange slices (optional)
•   White chocolate and/or dark chocolate shavings or curls (optional)

Directions

1. Rub the rim of four to six chilled martini glasses with a wedge of orange. Spread vanilla sugar onto a plater. Invert glasses into the sugar to coat rims. Set aside.

2. In a cocktail shaker or container with tight-fitting lid, combine half of the ice cubes, half of the vanilla vodka, half of the Irish cream liqueur, and half of the Cointreau®. Cover and shake vigorously. Strain mixture into two or three of the martini glasses; discard ice cubes. Repeat with remaining ice cubes, vodka, liqueur, and Cointreau®. Strain into remaining martini glasses.

3. Garnish drinks with orange slices and chocolate shavings, if you like. Makes 4 to 6 drinks.

Vanilla Sugar:Fill a clean and sterilized 1-quart jar with 4 cups sugar. Using a sharp paring knife, slit one 4- to 6-inch vanilla bean lengthwise. Insert both halves into sugar, making sure all of the bean is covered with sugar. Secure lid and store in a cool dry place for 2 weeks before using. (Will keep indefinitely.) Makes 4 cups.

*Tip:If you do not have vanilla vodka, substitute 1 cup regular vodka and 1 teaspoon vanilla.