Martini Monday - Bring on 2010!!

Can you believe it is almost 2010??? 15 years ago we were consumed by playing with our Barbie’s, Skip-its, slap bracelets and POGS…and now here we are at the start of a new decade!! Unbelievable…2010.

So this week’s Martini Monday is a little different but still very much dedicated to ringing in the New Year with perfection. Only one martini tonight but TWO champagne cocktails that are super easy and over-the-top delicious.

Here we go:

#1. The always popular and endlessly enticing, Flirtini!

I have posted this one a few times before because it is my all time FAVORITE!! Mine will look a little different than the picture due to a small change in ingredients, but don’t worry…it will taste amazing! Perfect for the hours leading up to midnight!

For one martini:

¼ cup premium vodka (use the good stuff; it’s New Year’s Eve!!)
½ cup pineapple juice
Frozen raspberries (how ever many you want…I do 3-4 per glass)

*You can substitute a splash of raspberry liqueur instead of frozen berries if you want*

Shake all of these together but NOT TOO MUCH! Just enough to combine (pineapple juice discolors if shaken too vigorously). Pour into a glass and top with the champagne of your choice. I don’t recommend using Prosecco for this one…stick with good ol’ fashioned champagne!!




#2. Mimosas with a kick!

I love mimosas any old way but this one in particular is really, really goooood.

Mix together your orange juice and champagne as you would for a regular mimosa and add in some Triple Sec for an extra kick. You can use a little or a lot. Float some strawberries for color and for a change, skip the stuffy champagne flute. Choose a more modern glass and party the night away!! Perfect for making in pitchers for larger groups…just set out bowls of fresh berries for your guests to choose from.

#3. Champagne with Berries

This is exactly what it sounds like…champagne with raspberries (or whatever berries you like) thrown into the mix. The berries add a little extra sweetness and some gorgeous color to the glass. This one is perfect for toasting midnight with a twist!!

So there are my picks for New Year's Eve - let me know if you try any of them!!

XOXO

Martini Monday - Happy Holidays!!!

Happy Martini Monday!! Christmas is one of my favorite times of year - family, friends, fun and FABULOUS cocktails! Here are a few of my Holiday inspired favorites. Enjoy!

#1. Winter Wonderland Martini

I just want to dive into this drink...it's like a cloud I promise you. If you like Pina Coladas, you will love this. A little vodka rather than all rum makes this drink perfect for the holidays.

1 ounce vanilla vodka

1 ounce coconut rum

1/3 cup chilled coconut cream (not coconut water)

Shake the ingredients together and top with toasted coconut flakes. Heaven.

#2. White Chocolate Martini

This is one RICH, DELICIOUS martini, perfect as a dessert!

1.5 ounces of white chocolate liqueur (I LOVE the Godiva brand)

1.5 ounces creme de cacao

splash of premium vodka (or a little more if you're like me)

2 ounces of half and half

Shake all ingredients together and topped with shaved chocolate - dark chocolate is perfect for this because it cuts the sweetness a little. I like to stick a strawberry on the glass as well.

3. Santa's Sleigh Martini

This little baby is eggnog with a twist of fabulous. Cut out the plain old eggnog and surprise everyone with this alternative!

To make several:

2 cups eggnog

1/2 cup brandy

1/2 cup amaretto liqueur

1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

2 scoops vanilla ice cream (BLUE BELL!!!!)

Throw everything in the blender and blend until smooth. Poor in chilled glasses and garnish with a cinnamon stick. Yum...

#4. White Chocolate Peppermint Martini

Another perfect dessert martini with a holiday touch.

2.5 ounces vodka

1/2 ounce peppermint schnapps

1/2 ounce white chocolate liqueur

Shake all ingredients together. Glasses are especially pretty when rimmed in red sugar!!

Happy Martini Monday and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!! I hope you enjoy these as much as I do!

XOXO

Ashley

Martini Monday Returns!

Man, oh man - it has been soooo long since my last Martini Monday post.  To get back in the swing of things, I'm going to post a new creation - the "Arnold Palmer Martini".

So it's summer time and who doesn't have some lemonade just lying around...lol.  I am really liking the "Simply" products hence the Simply Lemonade below:

Add another one of my FAVORITES, Firefly Sweet Tea vodka...

...and you've got a fabulous martini, Arnold Palmer style!

This one is perfect for those of you who are not big on the fruity flavors that I usually post.  Once again I will give my disclaimer about the Firefly - it is so easy to get carried away with because it doesn't taste like alcohol AT ALL (we don't want another anonymous commenter to call me out for promoting binge drinking like the last time...)!!

So there ya have it!  Feel free to play around with the exact measurements since everyone likes things a little different.  ;)

Have a great night!

Martini Monday - Bikini Ready Edition!!

Before I get to the martinis....

Have you ever tried Firefly vodka??  If not, DO IT...NOW!!  There are several flavors but my favorite is the sweet tea vodka.  You mix the vodka with plain old water and it honestly tastes like the most perfect sweet tea ever!!!!  Careful though - these can be lethal!!!  ;)

OK, so Martini Monday is back!!!  I probably won't have a martini post EVERY Monday but I will try my best to post new recipes as much as possible!!

So, since it is BIKINI season, what could be better then a slimmed down martini recipe?  Check out the more figure friendly Raspberry Lemonade Martini!!

Mix together 1 oz raspberry vodka, 1 oz triple sec, 1.5 oz light cranberry juice and 1.5 oz light lemonade.  Yum!  Not only is it light on calories, it is super refreshing too!

Have a great night!!!  

Martini Monday - St. Patty's Day Edition!

*Do you Twitter??  Let me know if you do so I can follow - I was finally convinced to join!!  Check me out at Ash9999*

So this week's Martini Monday post is geared toward St. Patrick's Day so of course I chose three beautifully green cocktails!

This first one is so pretty because of the little garnish that accompanies the martini.  This, ladies, is the Guava Martini!  It is another delicious, yet very sweet, little drink but I am in love with it because I drink guava juice even on its own.  This one takes vodka, guava juice, a little raspberry liqueur and some fresh lemon juice.  Garnish the glass with a slice of star fruit if you can find it.  I always find them at places like Whole Foods.  Yum and so pretty!

Of course I couldn't pass up the Apple Martini.  There are a few ways to make this one depending on your taste:

*If you like a Sour Apple Martini - 1 part vodka, 1 part sour apple Pucker, 1 part apple juice (sometimes I add some sprite/club soda to thin it out and add some fizz!)

*If you like a more natural apple flavor - 1 part green apple vodka, 1 part melon liqueur, 1 part apple juice

*If you like extra sweet (and are BRAVE), you can try the Baked Apple Pie Martini - equal parts apple Pucker and vanilla vodka - add a little Goldschlagar, a little ButterShots and garnish the rim with cinnamon and sugar - like I said, it takes a brave soul!  Consume responsibly, haha!!

Last, but not least, the Pear Martini!  I have had several versions of this one but there is one that I always revert to according to my own taste.  This one is a little bit more specific than most of the martinis I post, but I think it is worth it! 

 - For multiple martinis - 

*4 ounces Grey Goose La Poire vodka (this is about the one and only time that brand matters.   There are others out there but this one is THE BEST!)

*2 ounces apple juice

*1 oz Disaronno

*1 oz simple syrup

Important step - don't mix the apple juice with the other ingredients in the martini shaker.  Instead, pour the juice into your glass first and then strain the other ingredients (after shaking) over the already poured apple juice!  

You can add in a little pear syrup (from the can) if you have it.  Garnish with sliced pear and enjoy it!

I hope you have a wonderful evening and an even better St. Patrick's Day tomorrow!!  Don't forget to wear green!!

XOXO

Martini Monday - Think Pink!

Can ya'll believe that it is MONDAY again?!  I can't...where did the weekend go??  Hope ya'll had a good one!  This week's theme is "Think Pink!"

How pretty is this one?  Allow me to introduce the Pink Rose...I just love looking at it!  This one takes one part vodka, one part Hpnotiq Liqueur and one part cranberry juice.  Squeeze some lemon on top and serve with any pretty pink or red fruit.  This picture shows a pink rose petal which is fabulous as well - definitely wouldn't want to eat it but they say that the scent of rose really enhances sweet flavors!  Weird how the body works.  Ladies, this one is sweet enough without any sugar on the rim - trust me!

This one tastes like summer to me...yum.   It is the Watermelon Martini!  I wish I could go swimming in it, it looks so refreshing.  This one takes a little extra work but I promise, it will be worth it.  Muddle some fresh watermelon in the martini shaker to get out as much juice as possible.  Add in a little sugar and some vodka (citrus infused is great in this one), shake it up and strain into a glass.  Squeeze a little lemon juice over the top and add in a few chunks of watermelon.  After you drink it up, the watermelon will be spiked and extra delicious!

I just HAD to add a third one tonight and it happens to be another one of my ABSOLUTE favorites!  Ladies...meet the Italian Wedding Cake Martini.  a.w.e.s.o.m.e.  This one takes two ounces vanilla vodka, one ounce amaretto, one ounce white creme de cacao, two ounces cranberry juice and two ounces pineapple juice.  Strain this into a couple glasses and *enjoy*.  Add a fruit garnish if you want but this lovely is fabulous just on its own.  Wow.

Ya'll have a WONDERFUL evening...go do something that makes you happy!  You deserve it!

XOXO

Martini Monday - Fruit Edition!

MAN, I wish I could have a few martinis right now after a *crazy* Monday, but I will wait until the weekend I guess...or at least Thursday!  Maybe the guy who crashed into my office building had a few martinis or something like that....damn it feels good to be a gangster.  Anyway, let's do this!

*So as mentioned in the title of this post, I have picked THREE wonderful fruit inspired martinis this week.  These are all drinks that are served at my favorite local martini bar, Olives.  

First, we have the French Martini!  Yummmm and yum.  It takes 1.5 oz of vanilla vodka, .5 oz of raspberry liqueur, .5 oz Cointreau, .5 oz cranberry juice, .5 oz pineapple juice and a twist of lemon or lime.  This is very similar to the Flirtini (my favorite) only without the champagne and a few extra fruity ingredients.  

I LOVE this one...the Mango Martini!  I have seen it made all sorts of ways but I stick to the simple version which takes 2 oz mango rum, .5 oz triple sec, .5 oz cranberry juice and a splash of lime juice.  The most important part of this is the mango of course - you can either add in some mango puree or some mango juice (usually sold in cans)...this part is very important to get a fruity taste.  It is also perfect for beach/pool parties!

Last but not least, the Cherry Martini!  This one is SWEET but I love sweet stuff so it is perfect for me...just a little disclaimer.  This one takes Three Olives Cherry vodka, cherry flavored schnapps (Pucker), and some Sprite.  If you want to tone down the sweetness, add a little champagne or even non-flavored seltzer water.  And cherries of course!!  Really reminds me of my old college side-kick, the cherry vodka sour.  ;)

Alright, I hope you enjoy your evening and I look forward to the next edition of Martini Monday!!  I think I will have to pick a theme again....

Martini Monday - For Lovers!

First of all, if you haven't entered yet, be sure to enter my Victoria's Secret *mini-giveaway* - that is IF you like *sexy little things*...

Yay!  It is yet again Martini Monday and since this is Valentine's Week, I picked some sensational, love provoking goodies.  These would be perfect for couples to share but maybe even better for those of you who might be planning a girls night out for Valentine's Day!  Let's do it!

#1 is the fantastic White Chocolate Raspberry Martini - it really is a dream if you like dessert martinis!  This baby packs a punch for anyone with a sweet tooth by combining 1 oz. white chocolate liqueur, 1 oz. regular chocolate liqueur, a few ounces of half-and-half depending on how creamy you like it, and of course a little raspberry vodka.  Garnish with some raspberries and you are on your way to a delicious treat!

#2 is a the Chocolate Lovers Martini and it is made with about 2 ounces of creme de cacao, a little Bailey's Irish Cream, and about 1.5 ounces of vanilla vodka (less if you don't want to fall out in the floor right away).  The secret to this one is to make the swirls on the glass with chocolate syrup BEFORE pouring in the actual drink.  Shave a little chocolate on top and you are golden.  Yum!

#3 is the Cosmic Valentine Martini - this one is a little lighter so you can definitely have a few of these if you want ;).  Use your favorite Strawberry Cosmo recipe (mine takes strawberry vodka (Stoli), Triple Sec, a little cranberry juice and a dash of lime) but top it off with some muddled strawberries and then either a splash of Prosecco or champagne!!  

The cool thing about this one is that you could substitute any *love* colored martini - pink, red - and still make it extra special with the addition of the bubbly!  This one just might be a new fave!

Here's to a fabulous V-Day, no matter how you spend it!  Enjoy!

Martini Monday!!

Man, I need a martini after my last post!  Zowie!  Today I picked two off-the-wall martinis since I am in an off-the-wall mood.  The first one is the Mexican Martini and it is a far cry from your normal everyday martini mixer.  In fact, it has zero vodka and a pretty darn good amount of tequila.  There is a restaurant in Austin, Texas (ATX=fun) called Trudy's and they are famous for their Mexican Martinis.  They go a little something like this...

*2 ounces of tequila (more if your name is Ashley, Jennifer or Kelly)  ;)

*1-2 ounces cointreau 

*1-2 ounces Sprite or sweet and sour

*1 ounce OJ

*another sprinkle of tequila and some lime juice

(feel free to throw in the olives but I happen to DESPISE them)  Yum...can you tell I like tequila?

The second pick is the Peach Kiss Martini - I have only had this one one time but it was very delicious.  This one has Absolute Mandarin vodka, peach schnapps and a little splash of either grenadine or cranberry juice.  I opt for grenadine any day!

Let me know if you ever try any of the Martini Monday picks - I would love to hear which ones you like best!  I already have next week's pick in my brain for Valentine's Day!  It is fab fo sho!

XOXO

Martini Monday!

First of all, I cannot quite believe that it is already Monday BUT that just means it is time once again to share some of my favorite martinis!

This first one is the Key Lime Martini and it is definitely in the dessert martini category.  This is a fabulous mixture of key lime juice, vanilla liqueur and cream so if you don't like creamy, frothy drinks, this might not be for you.  For me however, this drink is pure key lime heaven.  These beauties usually feature sweetened graham cracker crust around the rim but sometimes I forego this and add a tiny bit of whipped cream to the top.  Hey, sometimes I have both - nothing shameful in that, is there?  Yum...

This next one is the Blackberry Martini and it is more on the tart rather than sweet side.  It is a mixture of blackberry schnapps and vodka - in other words, this is one powerful drink since the only mixers are alcohol and more alcohol.  I have used both plain and raspberry infused vodka and I honestly ended up liking the plain better.  I have even had a fabulous twist on this one - the Blackberry Lemon Drop Martini.  It is basically the same ingredients only with some triple sec (more alcohol) and a little sweet and sour.  Stick some fresh blackberries on top and you've got yourself an amazing drink!

I love sweet things but I love sour things even more.  After all, I have been known to eat a whole pack of sour punch or sour patch kids for lunch.  Who cares, I love it and I think you will *love* these martinis!  ;)

XOXO

Martini Monday!

OK, I know it is only Monday but that does not keep my mind from wandering to thoughts of my favorite drink...the martini!  My favorites are still the Lemon Drop and the Flirtini but the two wonders below happen to be pretty delicious as well.  Check this out for the originals.

Isn't this one pretty??  It is the Raspberry Martini.  Yum!  I use raspberry infused vodka, Sprite, a little bit of raspberry liqueur and add either some fresh raspberries or a twirl of orange.  I usually don't like sugared rims but on this martini, the extra-fine sugar makes it extra good.  I hate giving out specifics to recipes out of fear that people will hate what I have come up with (my usual paranoia setting in), but there are tons of good ones out there on the web and especially on RecipeZaar.com.

This one is the Grapefruit Martini!  One of my faves for sure because I love, love, love grapefruit for some reason.  Now, I know there are a lot of people out there that dislike the taste of grapefruit but you really should give this one a try at least once!  This one needs a good helping of grapefruit infused vodka (Absolut is my favorite), some grapefruit juice and a little pineapple juice.  I always put a tiny bit of grenadine or a cherry in the bottom to make the pretty pink fade thingie (what do you call that??).  

Oh, if it were only the weekend!  If you get brave enough to try these, be sure to let me know how it went and if you have any favorites of your own, pass those along too!  ;)