MORE CLASSIC COCKTAILS - Rusty Nail Martini

The Rusty Nail is a "duo" cocktail, a drink comprised of only two ingredients. Here the components are scotch and Drambuie. Drambuie is made with aged malt whisky, honey and a secret blend of herbs and spices. The name Drambuie is actually a Gaelic phrase - an dram buidheach which means the drink that satisfies. For an interesting history of this liqueur check out Drambuie on Wikipedia.
Serving this in a martini glass without ice technically makes this a Straight Up Nail as a Rusty Nail is generally served "over" or "on the rocks", both terms for on ice. The mnemonic device bartenders use to remember the ingredients for a Rusty Nail is "shoes dummy" but since I've never attended bartending school I can't tell you why those two words would trigger the memory of scotch and Drambuie! It's an interesting fact though, huh?
Anyway, if you want to try out a scotch based classic cocktail, the Rusty Nail is a good one if you're into trying out retro cocktails!
For a delicious adaptation of a Rusty Nail try my
HAMMERED NAIL

Updated 8-2016

Raspberry Thyme Martini - Herb Infused Martinis

This Raspberry Thyme Martini is really quite good and I'm not even that fond of thyme. The key to the whole thing is just a bit of thyme because of the earthiness of this particular herb. The acid from the lime juice, the sugar and the fresh raspberries blend really well with that earthiness and make for a very refreshing Spring or Summer cocktail that incorporates a fresh herb from the garden.

It's a really pretty martini too and one that will intrigue your most sophisticated tipple.

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LEMON BASIL MARTINI - Herb based Martini with a twist!

I planted some lemon basil in my herb garden recently, an herb I love using for cooking chicken and fish especially. When I was chopping it the wonderful lemon aroma wafted up to my nose and I suddenly thought what a nice herb martini it might make. I was right!

These Lemon Basil Martinis are delicious and they're a great starter for a nice entree that also features Lemon Basil. I know many of you are thinking, "basil martinis?" but this is lemon basil, a much less aggressive herb than the more common sweet basil, the foremost flavor note is lemon!

Try one, I think you'll like it! If not you can use the martini as a marinade for the chicken or fish!

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MARTINI & COCKTAIL TIPS, TRICKS, TUTORIALS & INSTRUCTIONS

From PopArtDiva's Martini Art

Just in case you only stop by to download my free martini recipes cards for your files (or a bunch of them to print out, wrap up with a pretty ribbon and give away as a gift) I thought I'd remind you that I also have my great martini making tips & tricks, instructions for how to rim a cocktail glass and other great articles on making and serving cocktails - always located conveniently on the right side bar and/or at the bottom of the page:

Make your own Cocktail Rimmers!
Make Cheap Vodka Taste Expensive!
How to Rim a Cocktail Glass!
Make a Martini Dessert!
Stuffed Olives and Vermouth Olives!
How To Make The Best Martinis
How To Make Flavored Vodkas
Tips for Making Non-Alcoholic Martinis


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MARTINI SMOOTHIES - Blueberry, Raspberry, Banana

The Blueberry Smoothie-tini - Let's just call this the anti-oxidant martini smoothie!
Rich in healthy flavors of blueberries, raspberries and bananas this is a health nut boozer's dream, lol. If there is such a thing as a health nut boozer - is there?

To really make it healthier substitute plain yogurt for the cream and use honey instead of sugar - you'll never know the vodka's in there unless you have one too many! But you're not going to do that because you're healthy, right!

Enjoy and Cheers to having a great weekend!

Updated  8-2016
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VODKAS AID IN CURE FOR BREAST CANCER

I'm doing a bonus post today to tell you about two vodkas out there on the market. Why am I doing what is basically a commercial for vodka?

Because these two vodkas are very special - and I'm not talking about their taste, I'm talking about their commitment to women everywhere.

Both Stiletto Vodka and Support Her Vodka are joining women everywhere in the fight to end BREAST CANCER.

These two vodka companies are pledging part of their profits from their products to the fight for breast cancer. I have lost several friends to this disease and have worried about several others so this is a cause near and dear to my heart. To see companies take up the banner is a thrill - especially when those companies produce a product I use and promote on a daily basis!

So, Three Cheers to Stiletto Vodka and Support Her Vodka - I tip my martini glass to you both for your gracious donations and caring hearts!

Now, every time I drink a martini I can contribute to the cure for breast cancer!

So, my dear fellow Martini Divas and Martini Dudes, the next time you are in the market for some vodka to shake up in one of my martini recipes, please support these two companies, buy their products and HELP US FIND A CURE!!!!

NATIONAL BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION
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MARTINI SMOOTHIES - Pineapple, Mango, Coconut, Banana & BOOZE!

OMG, this is so good! After my first Martini Smoothie (The Nana-Berry-Coco-Tini) I've been trying out more and this one rocks! I used equal parts of Malibu Rum flavors - Coconut, Pineapple and Mango, tossed in a little concentrated frozen limeade, added my frozen banana, some powdered sugar and some yogurt and tossed it all in a blender and sucked it down so fast I had to do it all over again (poor me, lol!)

These Martini Smoothies are perfect for summer and they're so good for you with all the fresh fruit - and if you use yogurt instead of the heavy cream , even better! And remember you can leave out the booze - but you have to get that flavor profile in so with this one add some coconut milk, half a fresh mango and some fresh or canned pineapple instead of the rums.

Enjoy and Cheers!

CONTACT ME TO BECOME A SPONSOR OF THE MARTINI DIVA!

PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY & DRIVE RESPONSIBLY!