Cardamom and Peaches...

Peaches spiced with cardamom are heavenly!  I love a good peach crisp with cardamom in the topping.  Which is why I thought fresh peaches might be good with cardamom in a summery cocktail!  I pureed a perfectly ripe flavorful peach, and added it to my martini shaker along with some honey vanilla syrup to sweeten, fresh lemon to keep it bright, a bit of cardamom for some spice, and some mint for freshness...then of course added the Vodka.  Prairie Organic Vodka is my favorite, because it has such a clean flavor.  Before I poured it into the glass though, I decided that a bit of sparkly on the rim might be nice...as well as some sweetness, since I knew the drink itself wouldn't be overly sweet.  So, I mixed some cardamom into sugar and coated the rim.  Now, when the drink was poured, the questiton was, would it be as good as a peach crisp...as well as refreshing?   Yes!  This was one passionate peach drink...big peach flavor to the core...the wonderful cardamom spice notes and vanilla adding a complexity of flavor!  The mint and lemon made it extra summery and refreshing as well...my only gripe about the whole thing...I wanted another!

Passionate Peach Martini

Serves 1

Cardamom sugar:

2 Tbsp granulated sugar

1/4 tsp ground cardamom

1 Tbsp agave nectar
6 fresh mint leaves
4-6 large ice cubes
1 oz honey vanilla syrup*
1/8 tsp ground cardamom
2 oz Prairie Organic Vodka
1 oz fresh organic lemon juice
3 Tbsp fresh peach puree

To make cardamom sugar, combine sugar and cardamom and blend well.  Spread out on a small plate.  Coat the rim of the martini glass with the agave syrup by dipping it into it on a plate, then dip the agave coated rim into the sugar and set aside.  In a martini shaker, muddle the mint leaves with the ice, crushing them until they are in small pieces. Add the vanilla honey syrup, cardamom, vodka, and lemon juice, place top on shaker, and shake until well blended. Pour through a strainer into a chilled martini glass, adding a few fresh berries to your glass and serve!

*Vanilla Honey Syrup:
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup honey
seeds of one vanilla bean

Heat water until boiling, remove from heat and whisk in honey and vanilla beans, until honey is dissolved. Chill well before using in drinks. Makes 1/2 cup syrup