The STINGER Martini - A Hollywood "Cocktale"

Most likely derived from a popular pre-Prohibition drink called The Judge* (two parts brandy, one part crème de menthe and simple syrup), The Stinger is a "duo" cocktail.  A duo is a drink that contains only a liqueur and a spirit, with the liqueur acting as a cocktail sweetener. (FYI: If a creamy element is added a cocktail is a "trio".)

The Stinger is a classic cocktail with some fun Hollywood history. In the 1957 film Kiss Them For Me, Cary Grant and Jayne Mansfield were drinking them. Grant seemed to have enjoyed the Stinger because he also enjoyed one in the film The Bishop's Wife.

The Vodka Stinger even has starring role in a song line, "...Another chance to disapprove, another brilliant zinger. Another reason not to move, another Vodka Stinger!" from the Sondheim song Ladies Who Lunch.
This cocktail calls for a good brandy, feel free to go all out with a high end Cognac. There's no place for cheap hooch to hide in this simple duo.

TheSTINGERCocktail
INGREDIENTS1-3/4 Oz Brandy2/3 Oz White Crème de Menthe
DIRECTIONSPour ingredients over ice in an old fashioned glass. Stir to chill and serve. 
Voiceover Video with Ingredients and Directions:

VARIATIONSA Vodka Stinger replaces the brandy with vodka.If you keep the brandy and replace the white creme de menthe with green creme de menthe you get a Green Hornet.
* according to Jerry Sullivan's 1930 The Drinks of Yesteryear: A Mixology.
Updated 3-2022 PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY

KIR ROYALE - History and Recipe of a Classic Cocktail

The

KIR ROYALE

Cocktail

INGREDIENTS

5 Oz. Chilled Champagne

1/4 Oz. Creme de Cassis

DIRECTIONS

Into a chilled Champagne flute add the Creme de Cassis, top off with Chilled Champagne and garnish with frozen or fresh black currants and an optional lemon twist.

HISTORY

The Kir Royale is a champagne version of a cocktail called Blanc-Cassis, a white wine and blackcurrant liqueur cocktail. The classic version Kir Royale is simply champagne with a splash of Creme de Cassis, a black current liqueur, though there are now many variations out there for the adventurous palate. I've often done this with Chambord in place of the Creme de Cassis.
Some recipes call for 4 parts champagne to 1 part Creme de Cassis though the original recipe calls for simply a splash of the Cassis.

This Recipe featured in

COLOR YOUR COCKTAILS COLORING BOOK. 

Canon Felix Kir, mayor of Dijon in Burgundy France from 1945 to 1965 is often credited as the creator of the Kir Royale, it's said Kir used the Creme de Cassis to sweeten the local low quality war time wines to make them more palatable thus "inventing" the combination of wine and cassis or "un kir". However, a wine based version, a blanc-cassis, was already in existence and called Vin blanc cassis de Dijon by Lejay-Legoute.
In a way Canon Kir did create the "Kir Royale" because it was named after him! During his tenure as mayor, Kir served the drink up as a promotion of the local region to visiting guests. As a result of this and his war efforts in the French Resistance, Kir was honored by Lejay-Legoute when they named their premixed black currant liqueur "un kir" (the original name of Creme de Cassis) after him. When champagne was used instead of wine it became a "Kir Royale".

Now you can enjoy your Kir Royale and share a little history too!
Updated 1-13-2021 PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY

The GIN FIZZ MARTINI - A Classic Fizz Sour gets a Makeover

Part of the Fizz family of sours, the Gin Fizz is often confused with a Tom Collins because both are almost the same cocktail.

There are a couple of differences between the two, a Tom Collins is made with "Old Tom Gin", a sweetened gin similar to Genever and is properly served in a ten ounce glass as opposed to an eight ounce glass for the Gin Fizz. Though hard to find Old Tom Gin is currently being produced by Hayman's.

Of course, you don't have to worry about that with my Gin Fizz Martini because I'm totally messing with the recipe by reducing the soda to just a splash so the cocktail will fit in a martini glass!

Enjoy and have a wonderful weekend!

Tweet
Follow me on Twitter as PopArtDiva
Follow me on Twitter as TheMartiniDiva
Friend me on Facebook
PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY & DRIVE RESPONSIBLY

THE GIMLET Cocktail Recipe

The Gimlet is a martini with Rose's Lime Cordial instead of vermouth. It's that simple. While you might find a few recipes out there that include some simple syrup that is not a true Gimlet. A Vodka Gimlet replaces the gin with vodka.

The Gimlet is a cocktail recipe straight out of the high seas. Once upon a time lime juice was used as a preventative for scurvy but aboard British Naval ships storing limes was cumbersome and they didn't last over long voyages. When Rose's was created in 1867 as a way of preserving lime juice it was adopted by British Naval surgeon and Rear Admiral Sir Thomas Gimlette and served to sailors in their Daily Rum Tot and to the officers with an equal measure of Navy strength (114 proof) gin. Eventually the gin version was named after its creator and the Gimlet was born.

Generally I prefer fresh lime juice with the addition of simple syrup to Rose's in any of my cocktails, but according to the Holy Grail of Cocktail Books, The Savoy Cocktail Book, 1930 by Harry Craddock the recipe is what it is.

Additionally, according to the character Terry Lennox in Raymond Chandler's The Long Goodbye (who turned the Gimlet into a popular mid-century modern cocktail of Mad Men* and bored housewives),
"a real gimlet is half gin and half Rose's lime juice and nothing else."
He's got a point, changing the Rose's to fresh lime gives this cocktail an entirely different flavor as Rose's has it's own unique taste. So, again, it is what it is.

The GIMLET
INGREDIENTS 1 Part Plymouth** Gin 1 Part Rose's Lime Cordial
DIRECTIONS Fill a cocktail pitcher with ice,  add ingredients, stir briskly then strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a lime slice.
VOICEOVER VIDEO WITH INGREDIENTS AND DIRECTIONS:

* AMCs MAD MEN lists the Vodka Gimlet as one of their classic 1960s cocktails.

** I believe the stronger, earthier botanicals in the drier Plymouth Gin can hold its own with the Rose's but a London Dry Gin is also acceptable. 
Get this GIMLET COCKTAIL RECIPE ART on Posters & Prints, Party & Bar Supplies, Cards & More Gifts:

Updated 11-2021 PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY

BLUE MARTINI - New Martini Art from PopArtDiva

Image ©2010 by PopArtDiva.Com. All Rights Reserved.

No permission is given to copy, share, distribute, reproduce, post or print without written authorization. Contact PopArtDiva.Com for licensing information.

BLUE MARTINI
Blue Martini is the second in a series of Color Martinis that I've started. Earlier this month I finished Pink Martini and I'm going through the color scale starting with my favorite colors! I love turquoise and blues so Blue Martini was a natural for the second in the series.

You may question the blue cherries but I swear they exist - I bought a bottle of Blue Maraschino Cherries in the cocktail section of a local store:

Of course, I would have colored them blue anyway - I did, after all, give you pink olives in my Pink Martini, didn't I!

I'm keeping these simple - just the martini, the garnish and a few little sparkles of martini coming out of the glass. I plan to do a minimum in the series of four but hope to do eight - maybe a purple, a yellow, a green, a red and maybe a black and white one. I always work in series for licensing purposes - licensees like to do multiple product lines and they like options. Plus everyone has a favorite color so it works for my Martini Diva Boutique products as well.

I love stars so that was my pattern on this one. I used polka dots on the Pink Martini and maybe I'll do hearts on a red one which would be perfect for Valentine's Day.

Be sure to stop by The Martini Diva Boutique and check out the Blue Martini on Posters, T-shirts, Cups, Aprons, Customizable Business Cards, Note Cards and even some cool sneakers!
They're perfect for your Happy Hour or as gifts for that cocktail loving friend.

Cheers!  
Tweet
Follow me on Twitter as PopArtDiva
Follow me on Twitter as TheMartiniDiva
Friend me on Facebook
PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY & DRIVE RESPONSIBLY

Crème Brûlée Martini

Hi! Thanks for stopping by! I've been doing a little housekeeping (since I've been posting recipes here for over 10 years it was time, right?) and this recipe has moved to it's own little home:

The Crème Brûlée Martini

This is a truly impressive martini to serve to your friends - the martini itself delivers the wonderful Crème Brûlée flavors but it's the beautiful caramel garnish that turns this from good to great so click on over and get the full recipe and instructions!

Updated November 2015
 

Shop The Martini Diva™ Boutique for fun Martini Art, Tees & Gifts for All Occasions Follow me on Twitter as PopArtDiva
Follow me on Twitter as TheMartiniDiva
Friend me on Facebook
PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY & DRIVE RESPONSIBLY

National Talk Like a Pirate Day MARTINIS (Grog!)

AHOY ME MATEYS SEPTEMBER 19th is
NATIONAL TALK LIKE A PIRATE DAY!

and in the spirit of the freedom of the high seas and grand larceny, feel free to pilfer me best grog recipes for ye and yer crew!

Avast, ye bilge rats, of course they're made with RUMM! No self respectin' pirate would be drinkin' much else on this here holiday, would they now?
PIRATE GROGS & RUM COCKTAILS

Ye must visit the official website for Talk Like A Pirate Day so ye can speak proper Buccaneer tongue or ye'll be walkin' the plank before ye can teach yer parrot to swear!

BTW, me darlin', you've a lovely cutlass thar - or are ye just happy to see me?

I HEART CAP'N JACK:

Follow me on Twitter
PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY & DRIVE RESPONSIBLY