Martini Madness

• Caramel liqueur sweetens up normally strong and stuffy martinis. One martini that borrows from a standard coffee drink is the caramel macchiato martini: chill four parts caramel liqueur, three parts coffee liqueur and two parts vanilla vodka, then strain into a chocolate-rimmed martini glass. Another martini that's more like a dessert than a cocktail is the caramel apple pie martini: chill one part each caramel liqueur, melon liqueur, coconut rum and blue Curacao with three parts cranberry juice, then strain into a chilled cocktail or martini glass and garnish with an apple slice.

Sweet and Savory Shots

• The candied taste of caramel liqueur can help a variety of shots go down more easily and quickly. One shot gets its name from one of cinema's coolest and craziest stars, Jack Nicholson. For a Jack Nicholson shot, chill equal parts caramel liqueur, coffee liqueur, vanilla vodka and 80-proof bourbon, then strain into a shot glass. Another shot, the far gone, describes how you may feel after you shoot it: layer equal parts Canadian whiskey and caramel liqueur and a few dashes each of grenadine syrup and melon liqueur in a shot glass.

Cold and Creamy

• Caramel liqueur blends into frozen drinks as well as caramel sauce tops scoops of ice cream. One simple frozen drink is the caramel nut: blend one part each caramel liqueur and white creme de cacao with five parts soft-serve vanilla ice cream, then top with whipped cream. Another blended cocktail that focuses on chocolate is the goofy bar drink: blend one part dark chocolate liqueur and caramel liqueur with a dash of chocolate syrup and 2.5 medium scoops of chocolate ice cream for every ounce of caramel liqueur.

Hot and Gooey

• The creaminess and sweetness of caramel liqueur can take the bite out of hot drinks like coffee. For a tasty after-dinner drink, opt for a hyperactive apple: mix two parts each caramel liqueur and milk, three parts apple schnapps and four parts espresso in a coffee cup and top with whipped cream. Another hot caramel liqueur beverage is a twist on hot chocolate: mix one part caramel liqueur with two parts hot chocolate in a coffee mug, then top with mini marshmallows, whipped cream and a sprinkling of ground cinnamon or nutmeg.