20110107

POMEGRANATE MARTINI & My Healthy Martini Radio Show Today


 Let's Make Happy Hour Healthy!
 
For detailed instructions on making The Classic Pomegranate Martini and some great tips for bringing some Healthy to Happy Hour tune in to my Happy Half Hour Radio Show today!
 
I'll also be giving you instructions for turning all this week's Pomegranate Martinis into delicious Mocktales, non-alcoholic versions for those of you who prefer a virgin version!
 
Get all the instructions, tools and garnish tips for this week's martinis as well as some great ideas for making martinis that not only taste good but are good for you! It's a half hour of fresh ideas for making cocktails with a healthy touch.

WHEN?
Today, January 7th @ 12:30 PM (Pacific Standard Time)
 
WHERE
Listen LIVE Online at: 
The Martini Diva's Happy Half Hour Radio Show

Listen LIVE via Telephone at:
(714) 333-3350

Got some questions for making martinis? Feel free to call in!

Can't make it? Don't worry, the archived show will be posted here all next week!
 
Here's my previous Pomegranate Martinis
 
LAST WEEK'S MARTINI BLOGCAST:




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20110106

POMEGRANATE LEMON DROP MARTINI

After 10 years of blogging out thousands of cocktail recipes it was time to do a little housekeeping.
 
You can now find this recipe here:
 
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20110105

ORANGE POMEGRANATE MARTINI


THE ORANGE POMEGRANATE MARTINI

Another great way to enjoy your bottle of Pomegranate Vodka, this Orange Pomegranate Martini gets it's kick of orange from the Cointreau, a powerful orange liqueur that is often used as an apéritif or a digestif.  Her I've used this branded version of a triple sec to bring sweetness and orange flavor to the tartness of the pomegranate, lemon and cranberry elements.

Instead of pomegranate juice I used white cranberry for a clear martini then I drizzled a little raspberry flavored Chambord over the top to give the martini a nice pink tint.  The fresh orange slice and pomegranate seeds for the garnish add that nice fresh fruit finish.  Pretty and tasty.

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Updated 10-2016

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20110104

CHERRY POMEGRANATE MARTINI - Pomegranate Martinis for Health


THE CHERRY POMEGRANATE MARTINI

As you can see from the recipe card, I created this martini for Valentine's Day for the rich, deep red color but there is no rule that says you can only drink it in February.

Get the full sized recipe card for my
CHERRY POMEGRANATE VALENTINI HERE
 
ALL MY VALENTINE COCKTAILS!

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20110103

POMEGRANATE MARTINIS - To Your Health!


November is
POMEGRANATE MONTH 

Here in the U.S. pomegranates are in season and fresh, seasonal fruit is a great way to make a great martini as well as boost your health. There's no reason happy hour can't be happy and healthy at the same time.

Studies have shown that moderate alcohol consumption is good for you!  According to Professor David J. Hanson, Ph.D. of the State University of New York in Potsdam, NY,
"Moderate drinkers tend to have better health and live longer than those who are either abstainers or heavy drinkers. In addition to having fewer heart attacks and strokes, moderate consumers of alcoholic beverages (beer, wine and distilled spirits or liquor) are generally less likely to suffer strokes, diabetes, arthritis, enlarged prostate, dementia (including Alzheimer's disease), and several major cancers."
Adding a fresh, healthy and seasonal fruit like pomegranate juice as a mixer just ups the healthy ante.

POMEGRANATE - THE ANCIENT FRUIT

The pomegranate  is mentioned in Europe as early as the Iron-Age Greek Mythology in the Homeric hymns. Native to the Iranian Plateau and the Himalayas in Northern India, the pomegranate is now cultivated throughout the world.  It was introduced to North America when Spanish settlers brought it over in 1769 to California. Here in the Northern Hemisphere it is in season from September through February which makes it a wonderful fresh, winter fruit for making martinis!

The name "pomegranate" derives from the Latin word "pōmum" which means "apple" and "grānātus" whic translates as "seeded"  In Germany it is called a Granatapfel or "Garnet" apple and in France it's called "pomme-grenade" while the early English version was "apple of Grenada".

There are some who say that it was not an apple which Eve used to tempt Adam in the Garden of Eden but a pomegranate!


POMEGRANATE SUPERFOOD TO THE RESCUE

Pomegranates are a good, natural source of vitamins A, C and E as well as folic acid and are considered to be a Super Food because of their many health benefits which include:
  • Lowers blood pressure - a study showed that drinking 1.7 ounces of pomegranate juice per day lowered systolic blood pressure by as much as 5 percent.
  • It can lower your cholesterol - It lowers LDL (bad cholesterol) and raises HDL (good cholesterol)
  • Reduces the risk of heart disease - drinking pomegranate juice daily may help support the normal blood flow to the heart.
  • Fights Cancer - pomegranates have high levels of the flavenoids, antioxidants that are thought to be effective in counteracting various cancer-causing radicals. In one study drinking 8 ounces of pomegranate juice per day kept PSA levels stable, reducing the need for further treatment such as chemotherapy or hormone therapy.  Another study in Israel postulated that pomegranate juice destroyed breast cancer cells while leaving healthy cells alone. It may also prevent breast cancer cells from forming.

Some suggested additional health benefits which are not proven are:
  • Pomegranates might reduce the risk of atherosclerosis, osteoarthritis, and diabetes.
  • Pomegranates might reduce the possibility of developing Alzheimer's.
  • Drinking pomegranate juice might even  be a natural way to prevent dental plaque.

Madonna of the Pomegranate by Botticelli

GETTING TO THE GOODNESS

The seeds of the pomegranate are where all this goodness resides but it can sometimes be difficult and messy to remove them from the outer hull.  To easily remove those morsels of tasty goodness cut your pomegranate in sections then hold that section seed side down over a bowl and hit the rind of the pomegranate with something hard like the back of a spoon - the seeds will pop out easily from a ripened fruit!

    GRAB YOUR POMEGRANATES, GET SET ...

    Now you have all the knowledge and background, grab your Pomegranates, Pomegranate Vodka, Pomegranate Juice and let's start shaking up some Healthy Happy Hour goodness:

    POMEGRANATE COCKTAILS

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    Updated 10-2016

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    20110101

    New Year's Resolution Martini


    The NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION MARTINI

    For all of you who are planning out your New Year's Resolutions here's a classic cocktail with a garnish of funny.

    Updated 5-2016

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    20101231

    SPARKLING PEAR MARTINI

     http://www.zazzle.com/new_years_sparkling_pear_martini_recipe_postcard-239018214990663413

    This is among my top searched cocktails. If you're a pear fan this martini is a great way to ring in the New Year. Pear is a wonderful winter fruit for a holiday cocktail and blends well with sparkling wines.

    If you want something a little less high octane leave out the brandy and use a highball or Collins glass then top off with club soda or sparkling pear juice.

    The
    Sparkling
    PEAR MARTINI

    INGREDIENTS
    1 Oz. Pear Brandy
    1/2 Oz. Pear Juice
    Chilled Champagne

    Garnish: Sugar Rim, Pear Slice

    Glass: Champagne Flute

    DIRECTIONS
    Rim the glass with sugar then chill the glass in the freezer.
    Add the pear brandy and pear juice to the chilled flute, then top off with Champagne.
    Garnish with pear slice and serve.

    Updated 12-2017
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