Cocktail hour: New liqueurs

Liquor companies and their marketing teams spend loads of cash and even more time developing new products based on consumer trends. Their objective: to create a product that not only taps into the mood of the public but also has legs and won't disappear after a year or two. It's too early to tell the success of these liqueurs, so feed your curiosity now, it just might be your only chance.

Voyant Chai Cream Liqueur
Hot off the boat from Holland, this delicate mixture of rum, black tea, cream and of course chai spice, is excellent over ice or mixed into a cocktail, like the Chocolate Chaitini below. If you're a fan of chai tea with its exotic blend of Asian spice, chances are Voyant will appeal to you, not only in drinks but added to recipes as well, like crème brule and even lightly-spiced curries. For more recipes or to post your own anonymously visit www.voyantchai.com

Chocolate Chaitini
2 1/2 oz. Voyant
1/2 oz. Kahlua
1 oz. milk
1/2 oz. chocolate syurp

Combine Voyant, Kahlua, milk and chocolate syrup in a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with shaved chocolate, if desired.

Zen Green Tea Liquor
And speaking of tea, Zen hit Canadian shelves this past fall, hot on the heels of the antioxidant movement. Now fashionistas and health-conscious cocktailers alike can co-mingle over a Zen and Tonic or Greentini, feeling secure that their libation will fend off free-radicals and guys who wear their Blackberries as accessories. Straight from Japan, Zen uses real Kyoto green tea leaves, lemon grass and a blend of other herbs to create a sweet but mild-tasting liqueur with a dark avocado colour. It's best used with other lightly flavoured mixes, like citrus vodka or tonic. (www.suntory.com/zen)

Greentini
2 oz. lemon vodka
1 oz. Zen
Squeeze fresh lime juice

Combine vodka, Zen and lime juice in a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a lime wheel.

Pama Pomegranate Liqueur
Giving the good-ol' cranberry a run for its money, the pomegranate trend might just be here to stay. With its tart-tastic flavour and high antioxidant power punch (hmmm, sound familiar?), its not surprising that a Kentucky-based company jumped at the chance to bring a pomegranate liqueur to the public. A blend of pom juice, vodka and tequila, it captures the sweet and tangy taste of pomegranates without overwhelming your palate. Oh, and the bottle is real purdy too. (a href="http://www.pamaliqueur.com
" target="_new">www.pamaliqueur.com)

Pom Collins
1 oz. Pama
1 oz. gin
Club soda

Combine Pama and gin in a tall glass filled with ice. Top with club soda and garnish with a twist of lemon, if desired.