All Entries Tagged With: "lemon drop"

Martini Shakers Put The Cool In Cocktails

Having a working knowledge of everything martini is like a rite of passage. Have you ever witnessed someone in a restaurant act extremely cool when they order a martini then stumble when asked how they take it or what brand of Vodka would they prefer? If you have, then you understand what I’m talking about.

If you dabble in the art of mixology then you will need a good martini shaker to add to your bar supplies. The good news is that martini shakers are not only functional they are fun too and can add the right amount of style to your bar.

There seems to be a style for everyone, from the traditional 3-piece shaker to an expensive designer shaker, with colored shakers, Ed Hardy Shakers, and retro and bullet shakers thrown into the mix. Some even prefer to go traditional bar tender style and use a Boston Shaker.

If you are looking to add some color to your bar then this Wild Eye Cobalt Etched Martini Shaker may be the choice for you. No matter which shaker you choose there should be one to match your style.

The traditional 3 piece shaker is what a lot of folks purchase first. These are functional and can create many great cocktails. Although there can be some disadvantages, one of them being the lid can get stuck. When you put your ice in the shaker and shake it chills your drink and your shaker. The cold can make the shaker contract just enough for the lid to get stuck.

So remove the lid promptly after straining so that you will always look on control when making your cocktails. The Boston Shaker is a two piece shaker with a metal cylinder and a glass. When you place the cylinder over the glass and give it a tap a seal forms. Now you can shake your drink just like a professional bartender in the movies.

Then when it is time to pour your drink give the edges another tap and a twist and the glass should lift of of the cylinder and you can pour your drinks. You will also need a separate strainer when you pour so that you don’t get ice in your chilled cocktail. Even though these look hard to use they are actually easier to get apart then the traditional 3 piece martini shaker with lid and strainer. They also look very cool.

Now that you have your equipment down, you can focus on ingredients. The traditional martini was made with gin and ice and garnished with an olive. As time passed many began to prefer the vodka martini. No matter which liquor you choose it needs to be of high quality. Many people would call these two choices the only true martinis. Some only think the gin martini is the only true martini.

These days any thing goes though so you can experiment and make the perfect martini cocktail to suit you and your guests. You can try different garnishes or add some olive brine and make a dirty martini. A cosmopolitan is actually a martini made with vodka, triple sec, and cranberry juice. You can also add lime juice and experiment with garnishes such as lemon twists or cherries. A lemon drop is also a martini variation made with lemon juice, chilled vodka, and sugar.

You can experiment and try many different martini recipes everything from appletinis to chocolate martinis are popular these days. I have even heard of different forms of bacon and bloody Mary martinis, although these seem to be more of a novelty, as opposed to a meal in a glass.

The most important things to remember when stocking your bar is utility and expressing your unique style. The most important thing about drinking is to drink responsibly and have a great time.

Popularity: 100% [?]

What’s Your Favorite Martini Recipe?

My all time favorite Martini is the Lemon Drop. In fact for years I just thought it was a great shot in a cool glass. I was ecstatic when I found out it was actually a variation of the Martini.

Oprah’s favorite Martini is the Pomegranate Martini. How can one complain about anti-oxidants and Vodka? Sex and the City fans helped spread the popularity of the Cosmopolitan.

I have a friend who took a week off of work just to try and create the perfect Martini. She ended up being an Appletini fan. Many hip restaurants feature a Chocolate Martini. And now the latest Martini craze seems to be the Espresso Martini.

Modern Martini Recipes

Lemon Drop Martini

2oz Lemon Vodka

½oz Triple sec

4 – 8 squeezed lemons (Add used Lemons to tumbler)

Pour into a martini Shaker over ice, Shake vigorously

Rim Martini Glass with Sugar

Strain, Pour into a chilled martini glass No Ice (Up) Preferred* or over Ice (Rocks)

Garnish with lemon twist

Pomegranate Martini

3oz Citrus Vodka

3oz Pomegranate juice

lemon rind

ice

place 2 martini glasses in freezer for about 5 hours

add ice vodka and juice to martini shaker

shake thoroughly and pour into chilled martini glasses

garnish with corkscrew of lemon rind

Cosmopolitan Martini

1½oz Vodka

½oz Triple sec

2 oz Cranberry juice

1 oz Lime juice or 2 fresh squeezed lime wedges

Pour into a martini Shaker over ice, Shake vigorously

Strain, Pour into a chilled martini glass, Shake to add ice chips No Ice (Up) Preferred* or over Ice (Rocks)

Garnish with lime or cranberries or both

Apple Martini

1oz Vodka

1oz Sour apple

2-3 oz Lime juice

Pour into a martini Shaker over ice, Shake vigorously

Strain, Pour into a chilled martini glass No Ice (Up) Preferred* or Over Ice (Rocks)

Garnish with Lime wedge or dried apple chip.

Chocolate Martini

1 oz Vodka

1 oz Crème de cacao

Pour into a martini Shaker over ice, Shake vigorously

Strain, Pour into a chilled martini glass – No Ice (Up) Preferred* or over Ice (Rocks)

Garnish with cherries, cranberries or chocolate sprinkles

Espresso Martini

1 oz Vodka

1 oz Kahlua or Coffee Licquer

1 Shot of Espresso

Pour into a martini Shaker over ice, Shake vigorously

Strain, Pour into a chilled martini glass – No Ice (Up) Preferred* or over Ice (Rocks)

Garnish with 3 Espresso beans

Popularity: 24% [?]