Black Russian Truffles: National Vodka Day

Today is National Vodka Day, and there are some wonderful Chocolate Vodkas on the Market. You can always make yourself a Chocolate Vodka Martini or a Chocolate Vodka Cake, but I'm a huge fan of Truffles. Here's a simple recipe for Black Russian Truffles.  A Black Russian is a cocktail made with vodka and coffee liqueur (three parts vodka to two parts coffee liqueur, or five parts vodka to two parts coffee liqueur). I love Kahlua, so that would be my coffee liqueur of choice in the following recipe.

BLACK RUSSIAN TRUFFLES

8 ounces dark (70-85% cacao) chocolate, chopped
1/4 cup whipping cream
2 tablespoons sweet butter
3 1/2 tablespoons Kahlua
1 1/2 tablespoons vodka
1 1/2 cups DARK cocoa  (or espresso powder or toasted walnuts)

Directions:
Melt chocolate in a doubleboiler or in a pot on top of another pot of simmering water.
Heat cream and butter together in microwave or in a pot (don't scorch). Remove from heat and pour over melted chocolate. Using a rubber spatula, stir chocolate and cream/butter mixture gently until smooth.
Add liqueur and vodka. Stir until blended.
Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate 2 hours to overnight.
Shape chocolate into 1-inch balls using a melon baller or small ice cream scoop or two spoons (or your hands).
Roll in cocoa (or pulverized espresso beans or toasted walnuts)
Store in airtight container in refrigerator.
Serve at room temperature.