Candy Cane Martinis

Let me preface this by saying that you really should not make this into a martini. We found this listed as a martini, and it tastes delicious...almost like a drinkable, girl scout thin mint cookie. However, it is also nothing but alcohol, and does not lend itself to longevity in drinking (some of our Christmas party guests discovered this the hard way). It would make for a perfect shot, however!

You will need:
1/2 oz Peppermint Schnapps
1/2 oz Creme de CaCao
1/2 oz vodka
Ice

Optional garnishes: crushed peppermints or mini candy canes for glass rim)

If making these into martinis, first prepare your glasses by dipping the rims of the glasses into water and then crushed peppermint dust. Pour all other ingredients except for garnishes into martini shaker.  Shake and pour into desired glass (really--shot glasses here, people!). Garnish with mini candy canes if desired and serve.

Enjoy responsibly, and happy holidays!

Caramel Apple Cider Martinis

My lovely sister and cousin came out for dinner and drinks a couple of days ago, and I asked them what they would like me to make. My cousin suggested an apple martini, and I came upon this lovely recipe. And, since my grocery store has been making these huge, sugary, mouth-watering looking caramel apples this month, a drink that could provide the same taste seemed like a necessity. It did not disappoint and tasted very much like dessert in a glass!

You will need the following (per martini):

1/2 cup of apple cider
1 oz. vodka
1/2 to 1 oz. butterscotch Schnapps (depending on how sweet you like your drinks)
Ice
Apple (cut into slices)
Lemon juice

First, prepare your garnish by chopping your apple into thin slices and soaking the slices in the lemon juice (this way, they will not turn brown).

Next, pour the cider, vodka, Schnapps, and ice into a martini shaker. Shake well and pour into a chilled martini glass. Place apple slice on the glass rim for decoration and serve! This is my new favorite fall drink by far, and I hope you enjoy it (responsibly) as much as we did!

Pomegranate Martini

Hello, fellow food lovers! The next few blog posts will probably be spread out a bit...school has started up again, and this year I am starting my master's degree program, so I am already fairly busy. However, I did want to share a couple of treats that I made for my "Weekend Before School Starts" girls night with my sister, sisters-in-law, and cousin. The first is a first for the blog, since it is a beverage. I give you: the Pomegranate Martini.

I found the recipe here: http://www.martinirecipe.net/pomegranate-martini-recipe.html and am so glad I did! Here are the ingredients:

1 oz vodka (or citrus vodka, if you have it)
1/2 oz Cointreau orange liqueur (or triple sec)
3 oz pomegranate juice
1/4 teaspoon lemon juice
lemon slice, for garnish

1/2 cup of sugar (for rim)

First, pour the 1/2 cup of sugar onto a plate. Make sure that the sugar is spread out enough that the entire rim of your martini glass will be covered. Wet the tip of your finger with water and run it around the rim of your martini glass. Set top-side down into the sugar (the sugar should stick to the rim where the water touched). Set aside.

Mix the vodka, pomegranate juice, orange liqueur, and lemon juice. I have read that martinis actually should NOT be shaken, so be sure your pomegranate juice has been chilled for a cold cocktail. Pour the mix into the martini glass.

Finally, chop up a lemon, and add a half slice to the edge of the glass as a garnish.

Drink and repeat (just be sure to keep re-sugaring your guests' martini glasses, as my sister was disappointed when her second drink was mostly sugar-free :p). Taste-wise, I had no complaints from any of my guests and was pleased with my own drink-making abilities! The pomegranate tasted sweet, and was a nice change from your standard cranberry cosmo. And of course, you can't help but feel sophisticated (if a bit tipsy) with a martini glass in hand. 

So grab some friends and some pomegranate juice, and enjoy (responsibly)!