Wild Iris Martini

Sometimes I just need to go for a walk by myself to unwind.  My favorite place to go for a stroll and get lost in my thoughts is through the woods, or on a path filled with lots of lovely vegetation.  It is a time when I don't have to do anything but think and walk, just enjoying my surroundings and forget about the cares and demands of the day.  I was on such a walk when I came across some irises.  I am sure at some point they had been planted by someone, as they are not a wild flower, but these appeared to be the way they were randomly among the other plants in the woods.  I guess even irises need a little freedom sometimes and not be confined to fenced in landscaped yards...sort of the way I like to be alone on my walks and get away from noise, distractions and demands of any sort. 

The wild irises inspired a cocktail that I made tonight, a refreshing gin base with fresh blueberries, a hint of lemon and floral lavander.  It's color was every bit as lovely as the iris itself, and the flavor was refreshingly floral with a hint of tartness from the lemon and sweetness from the berries.  The gin itself had a nice herbal note, which reminded me of nature and my walks through the woods. Here is the recipe if you would like to enjoy something wonderfully refreshing!

Wild Iris Martini (gin with blueberry, lemon and lavander)Serves 1

1/3 cup fresh organic blueberries
4-6 large ice cubes
1 1/2 oz lavander agave syrup*
4 oz Gin

1 1/2 oz fresh organic lemon juice
fresh blueberries
lemon slice

In a martini shaker, muddle the berries with the ice, crushing them until they are in small pieces. Add the lavander syrup, gin, 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 a lemon slice for garnish and serve!

 

*Lavander Syrup:

1/4 cup agave nectar

1/4 cup boiling water

2 Tbsp dried lavander flowers

 

Combine all ingredients in a clean jar, and mix well.  Cover and let sit for at least a day in the fridge to infuse, or up to a month. 

Single Lady Martini

It is Valentine's Day, but I am not drinking red wine, the usual drink of the holiday, but my latest favorite cocktail. It all started with the Rio Star pink grapefruits coming into season about a month and a half ago and me wanting to make a martini out of them using something other than vodka.  Bourbon and whisky have always been around at my house in the winter for hot toddies, and since they pair well with lemon, I thought grapefruit would be even better!  So I laced some grapefruit juice with some Crown Royal and I was hooked.  The slight tartness of the grapefruit as well as the sweetness are wonderful with the smooth whisky.  Although it was wonderful just like that, I decided to add some of my bourbon soaked cherries and their liquid one day as well as a splash of a little fresh orange juice I had left over from another recipe.  That combination was perfection, and it has since become my favorite winter drink.  I hadn't yet named it though.  That is until today... I decided on the "Single Lady" because this drink would be wonderful for any single lady to sip on Valentine's Day as I am while I work on dinner.  That said, ANY lady would enjoy this drink single or not...and guys, I have a feeling you wouldn't pass it up either!  It is seriously refreshing as well as comforting, and perfect for winter!  Set aside some time for yourself and mix one up, kick back and relax!

 

Single Lady Martini

Makes 1

4-6 large ice cubes
3 oz Crown Royal
1 oz cherry soaking liquid*
4 oz Fresh Rio Star Grapefruit juice
2 Tbsp fresh orange juice
4-5 bourbon soaked cherries*

orange or grapefruit slice or zest for garnish

In a martini shaker add the ice, Crown Royal, cherry liquid, grapefruit juice, orange juice, and place top on shaker. Shake until well blended. Place about 4-5 bourbon soaked cherries onto a skewer, and place in a chilled large martini glass. Pour drink through a strainer into glass, and serve with a citrus garnish!
 
Bourbon Soaked Cherries:
In a glass jar, cover 1 cup dried bing cherries with enough bourbon to cover.  Place lid on jar, and let sit at least overnight before using.  Store in the fridge. 

Cheers!

I can't believe 2010 is drawing to a close this week!  The year has flown by, so fast that I feel like I am looking back on someone else's life at times, so  much has changed!  I view New Years as a time to celebrate new beginnings as well as things I have learned, as well as good things that have happened in the past year.  Doing a celebratory toast and having a nice glass of bubbly or a cocktail is often part of New years eve, so I thought what  better a time than now to share with you some of my cocktails which I think would be perfect to ring in the New Year with.  Below are the photos, and if you click on them, you will be linked to the recipes.  I am not a fan of bubbly, being a cocktail girl myself, so Cheers to you, here's to a HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

Vanilla Snow Martini

Vanilla Girl Martini

Ginger Bread Martini



5 Spice Honeycrisp Appletini



Ruby Slipper Martini



Pumpkin Spice Martini



Ruby Slipper Martini

Tis the season for pomegranates, and beautiful shades of red.  This is exactly why when I was deciding what type of drink to create I wanted to include the striking red fruit.  Now, I know there are many variations of pomegranate martinis, but this one was not going to be strictly pomegranate, it would contain another fruit that is plentiful this time of year, orange!  The orange would serve to sweeten a little more than the pomegranate would on its own, and balance out the flavor.  I decided to use bourbon in this drink, because to me bourbon is a warming liquor, and it goes well with citrus and things that are slightly tart. My Mom always made hot toddies, and grapefruit sours from bourbon in the winter, and I guess I think of it as being a good base for a winter drink!  The finished martini was beautiful as well as delicious.  Its red color cheery and bright, and its flavor delicious sweet and slightly tart, very smooth on the tongue.  But what to call this concoction?  I decided on the "Ruby Slipper".  So make yourself one, click your heels 3 times, repeat the phrase "there is no place like home" and prepare to relax... 

Ruby Slipper Martini

Makes 1

4-6 large ice cubes
3 oz Maker's Mark bourbon
2 oz pomegranate juice
1 1/2 oz orange juice
pomegranate seeds

In a martini shaker add the ice, bourbon, pomegranate juice, orange juice, and place top on shaker. Shake until well blended.  Place pomegranate seeds into the bottom of a chilled martini glass. Pour drink through a strainer over seeds, and serve!

Vanilla Snow Martini...inspired by a snowy run

  

I have raced many cross country races in my running career, but never in 6 inches of snow!  Today was the team USATF Minnesota Team Cross Country Championships, and I had been looking forward to this race for weeks!  Now, I always expect cool temperatures requiring underarmour at times, but what I saw when I looked out my window when my alarm went off I was not expecting...it looked like a white Christmas in November out there!  Snow piling up, no plows out there yet.  But I was determined to race this even if it was in snow that would be much better to ski on than run in!  It took about twice as long to even get to the race because it was so snowy and drivers forget how to manage in snow the first couple times they drive in it!  By the time I got there I was watching the tail end of the men's race, and they all looked very cold...not surprising since many of them were wearing shorts and tank tops in the snow!  Including my boyfriend Dave who was out there running his first cross country race ever today and did very well! 

My friend and team mate Willie and I decided that a warmup would be pointless, and it would be better to run this race for fun this time considering the conditions.  When we got out there, the number of women at the race was less than a quarter it normally was most likely due to the snow and travel conditions.  We all lined up, the gun went off and we all ran on the small path that the Men had created.  The wind immediately pelted my face with ice pellets and sent cold air up my nose and into my mouth nearly knocking the wind out of me.  Three more miles of it awaited...luckilly it wasn't slippery just tricky footing.  I couldn't see from the snow in my eyes, and I missed Dave who was cheering for me, since I couldn't see anyone on the side of the course.  When I finished I was glad I had come out and braved the conditions!  Afterall, runners are not wimps, and I plan on skiing a 35k race this winter, so it was good practice!  Willie's daughter had built some snowmen at the finish line, so we all took a photo with them after the race. 

I give everyone who came out and ran today a lot of credit...and I can honestly say I have NEVER ran a cross country race like this!  Since I had such an interesting expirience racing in the snow, I thought I needed to make myself a cocktail tonight in honor of it!  I came up with the Vanilla Snow...a silky smooth coconut vanilla cocktail with vodka as it's base and laced with vanilla beans.  It was quite heavenly in comparison to the cold snow earlier in the day however...it was remenicent of Baily's but not so sickeningly sweet.  More balanced and deep in flavor from all of the vanilla notes.  You don't have to have a snowy expirience to enjoy it however...try making one yourself!

Vanilla Snow Martini

Makes 1

vanilla sugar:

2 Tbsp vanilla sugar
1 Tbsp agave nectar

4-6 large ice cubes
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
3 oz Prairie Organic Vodka
2 Tbsp vanilla bean syrup*

1/4 cup full fat coconut milk

vanilla bean for garnish

To make vanilla sugar rim, Spread sugar 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 add the ice, vodka, vanilla bean syrup, and coconut milk, and place top on shaker. Shake until well blended. Pour through a strainer into a chilled martini glass, and serve!
 

*Vanilla Bean Syrup:

1/4 cup water
1/4 cup agave nectar
seeds of one vanilla bean

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

Pumpkin Spice Martini

All things pumpkin make me happy this time of year, and that means everything...no limitations of pumpkin only being included in desserts and entrees...drinks should be included as well!  I wanted to create a cocktail that was like a slice of really good pumpkin pie in a glass, and yet not have it be too overly sweet.  No pumpkin liquers here, just some real pumpkin puree to give the drink a little bit of richness.  And richness it added...a silky texture on my tongue as it went down, as if cream had been added.  I wanted this drink to be lightly spiced and have a delicate flavor, so I included vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger, all things I consider essential to a pumpkin pie!  Maple syrup was my sweetener of choice, but not too much...just sweet enough.  For my liquor I chose bourbon and vodka, because bourbon is fallish and pairs well with pumpkin and spices, and vodka because it is a martini afterall!  It was fabulous!  The perfect fall drink and a great celebration of all things pumpkin!  So mix yourself a drink!  You know you love pumpkin!

Pumpkin Spice Martini
Serves 1

Spiced sugar:

2 Tbsp turbinado sugar
3/4 tsp cinnamon
a pinch of nutmeg

1 Tbsp agave nectar or honey

4-6 large ice cubes
1 tsp cinnamon
a pinch of nutmeg
a large pinch of ginger
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 oz Prairie Organic Vodka
1 1/2 oz bourbon
1 Tbsp maple syrup
2 Tbsp pumpkin puree
To make cinnamon nutmeg sugar, combine sugar cinnamon and nutmeg 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 add the ice, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, vodka, bourbon, vanilla, maple syrup, and pumpkin puree, and place top on shaker. Shake until well blended. Pour through a strainer into a chilled martini glass, and serve!

5 Spice Honeycrisp Appletini

I am in love with all things honeycrisp right now...and although my favorite way to eat them is to simply take a big bite, I find uses for them in almost every sort of dish.  This includes beverages!  Today when I was at work, and just feeling tired and wanting it to be 4 o'clock so I could go home, I was thinking a cocktail might be fabulous this afternoon.  I am usually just a classic dirty martini girl, not going for the sweet drinks, but an idea popped into my head to make a Honeycrisp appletini!  Probably because I was also imagining how nice it would be to enjoy a nice honeycrisp apple, as I was also hungry at the time.  I am really not a fan of most appletinis people order in bars...they are way too sweet containing lots of artificial apple flavorings and lots of sugar.  What I like however is when bartenders make their own drink creations using fruit purees...so I thought I could create a honeycrisp appletini this way featuring the popular Minnesota  grown fruit!  I had a bag of small honeycrisps, about the size of large golf ball, and I thought one would be the perfect size to puree for a martini!  I added some Asian 5 spice because it is so wonderful with apples, some local Prairie Organic Vodka, because it is my favorite, and some Domaine De Canton ginger liqueur to spice it up a bit.  It was a wonderful refreshing drink...the essence of Honeycrisp apple!  All you Honeycrisp apple lovers out there, you must try this! It is 100x better than any normal appletini...

5 Spice Honeycrisp Appletini

Serves 1

Spiced sugar:

2 Tbsp maple sugar

3/4 tsp asian 5 spice powder

1 Tbsp agave nectar or honey

4-6 large ice cubes

1 tsp asian 5 spice powder

2 oz Prairie Organic Vodka

1 1/2 oz Domaine de Canton ginger liqueur

3 Tbsp fresh honeycrisp apple puree

2 thin slices honeycrisp apple

To make cardamom sugar, combine sugar cinnamon and nutmeg 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 add the ice, cinnamon, nutmeg, vodka, ginger liquer, and apple puree, and place top on shaker.  Shake until well blended. Pour through a strainer into a chilled martini glass, adding the apple slice to your glass to garnish, and serve!

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

Blueberry Basil Martini

I recently had a wonderful blueberry cocktail called the "Blueberry Boat" at a restaurant called Cafe Maude...it was lovely!  A light pinkish purple color, due to the blueberries...it was refreshing as well due to the gin, basil and lemon that it contained.  I was wondering if I could make something similar at home, using my own liquor..and so, I was inspired to create my own blueberry laced drink!  Unfortunately I didn't have any gin on hand, so vodka would have to do for now.  I love Prairie Organic Vodka...it is so pure and I appriciate the fact that it is locally produced in Minneapolis.  So that was what I used this time.  I had some basil, and blueberries, as well as some lemons, so I figured it wouldn't be hard to recreate my own version of the "Blueberry Boat".  I am pretty sure theirs contained a simple syrup, but for mine I used my own honey vanilla syrup instead, since I have a bottle of it on hand at all times.  I much prefer the complexity of honey to sugar any day.  So when the drink had been mixed and it was tasting time...the question was, would it be as good as Maude's drink?  Yes!  Mine was even better in my opinion...and a heck of a lot cheaper for me to make at home!  If you want the essence of summer, try mixing one for yourself!  You can always use gin instead of the vodka if you happen to have it on hand. 

Blueberry Basil Martini
Serves 1

2 large fresh basil leaves
1/3 cup fresh organic blueberries
4-6 large ice cubes
1 oz honey vanilla syrup*
2 oz Prairie Organic Vodka
1 oz fresh organic lemon juice
fresh blueberries

In a martini shaker, muddle the basil leaves and 1/3 cup berries with the ice, crushing them until they are in small pieces. Add the vanilla honey syrup, 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

Vanilla Girl Martini

I decided that I needed to create a signature drink...it would be called the Vanillagirl Martini.  This drink would contain all of my favorite flavors...vanilla of course was a requirement.  Now normally when I order a drink I will order a classic dirty martini, or something else not too sweet.  So, I chose simply Prairie Organic Vodka as my base liquor.  I made a honey syrup, since I prefer honey to sugar any day, for it's wonderful complex flavor.  Then I added real vanilla beans to the honey syrup to give it lots of vanilla flavor, which I wanted to be very present in my drink!  I wanted a bit of sour to go with the sweet of the honey, so I chose lemon juice, since I can't get enough lemon in the summer!  Basil was my last addition to my drink recipe, because basil is my herb of choice in the warm months, and about every day I pick some fresh from my patio.  This may not be the classic way to make a martini, but it sure is delicious, and refreshing!  It ended up being my perfect signature drink, and I will be making it many times this summer!  No need to spend over $10 on a artisan drink in a fine restaurant.  Try this on a hot day, and you won't be disappointed! 

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


Vanilla Girl Martini
Serves 1

2 large fresh basil leaves
4-6 large ice cubes
1 oz honey vanilla syrup
2 oz Prairie Organic Vodka
1 oz fresh organic lemon juice

In a martini shaker, muddle the basil leaves with the ice, crushing them until they are in small pieces.  Add the vanilla honey syrup, vodka, and lemon juice, place top on shaker, and shake until well blended.  Pour into a chilled martini glass, and serve!