summer MARTINIS
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Hosting an outdoor wedding reception
or a cocktail hour under the stars ? There are many reasons
(and excuses, if you are looking! ) to take the traditions
of a formal cocktail-martini setting outside. The popular
revival of Martinis has meant the introduction of flavors
and styles of Martinis far removed from a "Tuxedo" only
setting, and perfect to offer beside the "Frosted
Drinks" and cold beer at your next outside event.
FLAVORS,
COLORS AND GARNISHES
Flavors The ongoing popularity of
the Apple
Martini has spawned many imitators. Why stop at apple
when one can try raspberry, kiwi, pineapple, and any other
combination of fruit flavorings? Still popular,
and perfect outdoors, is the Crantinni (Cranberry
and Vodka) or the refreshing qualities of a Ruby or
a Cosmopolitan.
What has made offering a variety of martinis
even easier is the number of different flavored vodka bases.
Popular vodkas are now available in everything from Mandarin
Orange, lemon-citrus to Raspberry and Vanilla. Mixed with
a touch of a fruit flavored liqueur and the combinations
become endless.
Try an orange flavored vodka, such as
Absolut Mandarin, with a few drops of a banana liqueur
and suddenly you are offering your guests an Orange-Banana
Martini. Experiment yourself and find the combination that
says "Summer" to you.
Vodka and Martini
leaders- Absolut- even came out with a list of "Summer
Martinis" called ABSOLUT FRUITINI. Some of their suggestions
include:
Absolut
Citrini
Absolut
Snowbird
Absolut
Mandrinoska
Martini Purists
may cringe, but not all "Summer Martinis" must
have vodka or gin in them. Here are two of our favorite
non-vodka or gin-less "Summer Martini's"; the "Banana
Split" and the "Cointreau Summer".
Now that says summer!
BANANA
SPLIT MARTINI:
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barFACT
Most recipes
for Martinis call for a frosted glass and that becomes
even more important in an outdoor setting. It is
not hard to do. Even half an hour in the freezer
will do the trick. You can also try stirring crushed
ice in the glass just prior to mixing the drink.
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1 oz Cointreau
1 oz Banana Liqueur
1
oz Orange Juice
Shake and serve
this in a chilled cocktail glass.
COINTREAU SUMMER MARTINI:
1 1/2 oz Cointreau
1
oz Pineapple Juice
1oz
Orange Juice
Shake and strain
into a chilled cocktail glass.
Colors: The
other great benefit of many flavored liqueurs is the
color they bring to the world of mixology.
The very trendy
and popular Blue Curacao is a perfect example. This
orange flavored liqueur adds a vibrant blue to any clear
martini giving the drink both the popular summer flavor
of orange, combined with a beautiful blue color.
Other examples include raspberry and cherry
brandies/liqueurs to add both flavor and color. If
it is only the red color you are after then try using grenadine
rather then a flavored brandy. The grenadine adds a touch
of sweetness but does not bring a strong flavor with it. If
you wish to add color and avoid adding any taste or sweetness
then you can always experiment with simple food coloring.
Many liqueurs bring a vivid taste and
color to martinis. Cognac and Brandy based flavored liqueurs
can serve as the base or the mix for many summer themed
Martinis or can be served chilled directly into a cocktail
glass offering a lighter choice for those hot summer afternoons. Other
light summer drink ideas >>
Summer themed Liqueur options include
products like Passoa (a passion fruit based liqueur - color-
a golden/orange) or Alize Sunset Passion (passion, mango
and pink grapefruit juice - color - Red) Mix these
kind of liqueurs with Fruit Punch - The
Red Room Key, or with Cranberry Juice - Sunset
Beach for an original, and very colorful "Summer
Martini."
Two colors: One theme:
| THE CITRUS MARTINI |
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THE PINK CITRUS MARTINI |
1
oz Cointreau
1
oz Absolut Vodka
Grapefruit
Juice
Splash
of lime
Shake in a shaker with ice and
strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
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1 oz Cointreau
1 oz Absolut Vodka
Pink Grapefruit Juice
Splash of lime
Shake in a shaker with ice and strain
into a chilled cocktail glass.
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Garnishes
Always an important part of any good drink,
and especially true of Martinis. "Summer Martinis" allow
a little more flexibility and a lot more choice. Summer
is also a lot more supportive of fresh fruit garnishes,
so put away the onions and olives and bring on the citrus.
Creative Garnishes: Get
creative with the choice of garnishes and even offer up
more then one on each martini. Match drink flavors
with colors or themes. A slice of orange quickly identifies
the orange flavored martini drinker and the slice of apple
on a Martini glass suggests the Apple
Martini. Blueberries on a skewer in an orange
liquid colored cocktail glass may not suggest an obvious
link but does look great (and tastes great).
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barFACT
Celebrate
July 4th !
Create three
clear martini martinis and add a drop of red food
color in one , blue in the second and red in the
third. Now you are set to celebrate July 4th with
your friends.
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A Martini glass may not support umbrellas
and other traditional summer drink garnishes, but a well
cut and balanced piece of pineapple, or a banana slice
or strawberry flan, will make your guests think they have
joined a luau. <Party
- Tiki style>
Rimming glasses: Specialty
food stores are carrying more and more of sweet glass rimmers
with a wide variety of flavors. Traditionally reserved
for drinks like Caesars and
Margaritas, pre mixed rimmer's are now available in many
flavors and colors that support a summer party theme.
Garnishes
: Appearances are important!
Garnishes are terrific for making
good drinks look even better. That said, a good garnish
won't save a bad drink! Like juices, you need to keep your
garnishes fresh -- sliced citrus fruit lasts no more than
24 hours.
How to "Garnish
a Drink"
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Printable Version
