Martinis Archives – Lynsey Lou's

This week in Arkansas people are gearing up for Race for the Cure. People will be making their way from all over the state to the capitol city, Little Rock, to gather in the streets of downtown dawning all shades of pink from head to toe and make their way from the starting line to the finish. All this to help raise awareness for breast cancer and to help find a cure. This is a disease that I believe is near and dear to everyone’s heart; everyone has probably been affected by this disease whether directly or indirectly. I’m an avid supporter of breast cancer research; not only because we need to find a cure for this type of cancer and all types of cancer but in August of 2004 I lost my MaMaw to her battle with breast cancer. I hate, hate, hate the “C” word and I believe many of you have mutual feelings about this. So in honor of Race for the Cure coming to Arkansas I’ll be having a “Week of Pink”, featuring foods that are pink or have pink in them to get into spirit for the race. Along with the “Week of Pink” I’ll also be donating all of this month’s blog revenue to the Komen Race for the Cure. Thanks for your support and we will but an end to this horrible disease.

Me and My MaMaw, Thanksgiving 1999

To kick things off this week I thought a fun and festive pink cocktail would be a perfect start to get people in the racing spirit. I know there are tons of pink tinted cocktails out there but I really wanted to do something with strawberries. Strawberries are one of my favorite fruits and I love the addition of fruits in cocktails. I started searching to find the perfect cocktail and when I came across the strawberry-basil martini from Food & Wine I knew I had found the perfect drink!

The combination of strawberries and basil is a classic combination. The two compliment each other wonderfully. The earthy and refreshing mint compliment the sweetness of the juicy strawberries, making it the perfect combination for a cocktail; not too sweet and not to bitter.

This cocktail is so simple to make and uses the freshest of ingredients to make a tasty and refreshing martini. The strawberries, mint, and a splash of simple syrup are combined and then muddled (the flavors are extracted by using a solid, thick post-like object that smash the ingredients together). After the flavors and oils are released by the muddling, the alcohols and fresh lime juice are added and the cocktail is giving a shake and then strained into a martini glass.

This cocktail is a light pink color making it perfect for Race for the cure or any other girl’s occasion. These bring a festive and fun punch of color to any table and are just as fun to drink!

Strawberry-Basil Martini

Ingredients:

3 Strawberries, plus 1
3 Basil leaves
1/2 Oz simple syrup
Ice
1 Oz gin
1 Oz vodka
1/2 Oz freshly squeezed lime juice

Directions:

Add 3 strawberries, basil leaves and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker and muddle* them. Add the ice, gin, vodka and lime juice and shake well to combine. Strain the mixture into a chilled martini glass and garnish with additional strawberry. Serve.

Recipe source: Food & Wine

It’s October; time for the state and county fair and time for trick-or-treating. So needless to say, October is definitely the month for splurging and enjoying a plethora of foods that would more than likely be off limits any other time during the year. Fried Twinkies, Oreos, Butter, and anything else your mind could dream up. Funnel cakes, the biggest (most unhealthy) burgers you can’t even fit your mouth around, and the candy. Let’s not forget the mounds and mounds of candy that will be given out and collected throughout the month. I think it’s safe to say that October is the beginning of the holiday season and the time that healthy eating is typically thrown out the window. Oh, and kudos to all you strong-willed individuals who have the willpower to say no and stay on track with those health goals!

This is the month that everything seems to be geared towards candy. Treats that mimic candy, items dipped in white chocolate, bars to utilize the abundance of candy collected on Halloween, and the list goes on and on. While all of these are delicious and completely necessary, there’s something else that everyone is in search of this time of year. What about cocktails that would be fitting for all of those Halloween parties? Well, even those can take a little inspiration from those big bags of sugary goodness.

This little concoction even has the name of one of the classic, ever so popular candies. The Tootsie Roll Martini. Tell me that isn’t clever? Now isn’t this the perfect drink to adorn the bar at a Halloween party? It doesn’t get more festive than this. A drink that mimics the flavors of that chocolaty, chewy candy that everyone loves. It takes those flavors and serves up a treat that is ideal for the adults. Chocolate coffee liqueur, a splash of vodka, a little chocolate syrup and a hint of orange juice. That’s it. A few simple ingredients, toss them in a cocktail mixer, shake and serve. The kids are easily taken care of with the oodles of candy, now the adults can be taken care of too!

Tootsie Roll Martini

Ingredients:

1/2 Oz Vodka
1 Oz Coffee liqueur (Kahlua)
1 Oz Orange juice
1 1/2 Tsp chocolate syrup
Orange sanding sugar, optional
Candied orange slices, optional
Tootsie Rolls, optional

Directions:

Using a wet paper towel, wipe the rim of the glass then roll in orange sanding sugar, if desired.

In a shaker, combine the vodka, Kahlua, orange juice, and chocolate syrup. Add 1/2 cup ice and shake to combine. Strain the mixture into the prepared martini glass. Place a candied orange slice on the rim and place a tootsie roll in the martini, for garnish, if desired.

Recipe source: adapted from Mommy’s Cocktail Hour

Don’t Miss a Thing!

Martinis

Footer

Don’t Miss a Thing!