CINNAMON RAISIN COCKTAIL

When I think cinnamon I think raisins so I thought I'd give that flavor combo a whirl as a cocktail.  I received a bottle of Pinnacle's Atomic Hots® Vodka for review and decided this was a great use for it.  This is a pretty perky cinnamon liquor so I decided to tame it down a bit with some lemon juice and muddle in some raisins to add a little mellow sweetness and richness.

After I tasted this combo I decided it did need a bit more sugar so I added the red sugar rim.  I almost added cinnamon in the sugar rim but the Atomic Hots vodka doesn't need any help in the cinnnamon department.

CINNAMON RAISIN MARTINI

2 Oz. Pinnacle Atomic Hots® Cinnamon Vodka*
¼ Oz. Of Lemon Juice
¼ C. of Raisins
Red Sugar for Rim
Extra Raisins for Garnish
Lemon Twist

Rub a slice of lemon around the rim of your glass then dip the rim into the red sugar. Chill your martini glass in the freezer. Muddle the raisins in lemon juice in the bottom of your cocktail shaker, pour in a cup of ice cubes, add the cinnamon vodka and shake until well chilled. Pour into your chilled martini glass, add a twist of lemon then skewer a few raisins on a cocktail pick and drop in and enjoy!

*If you can't find the Atomic Hots you can substitute another cinnamon flavored spirit but you might have to adjust for balance.

Updated 9-2017

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Quick & Easy HOMEMADE MARASCHINO CHERRIES RECIPE

Better Than Store Bought
Homemade Maraschino Cherries

EASY DRUNKEN MARASCHINO CHERRIES
THE EASY VERSION
1 C. Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur
1 Jar of Trader Joe's Morello Sour Cherries, Drained
(Or you may use 1 Pint of Fresh Marasca Cherries or Sour Cherries, Pitted - Remove Stems if you like)

Bring the Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur to a simmer in a small pot. Just as it starts to boil remove it from the heat and add the cherries. Let mixture cool, then let it "distill" in the refrigerator for a couple of days.

This should give you a good pint or so of lovely, delicious Homemade Maraschino Cherries!

You can store these in the fridge for up to a month but I doubt they'll last that long!

Life is just a bowl of Maraschino Cherries!

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NATIONAL PEANUT DAY COCKTAILS

TODAY IS

NATIONAL PEANUT DAY!

Go Nuts With

PEANUT INSPIRED MARTINIS

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NATIONAL BLACKBERRY DAY COCKTAILS

TODAY IS

NATIONAL BLACKBERRY DAY

Let's enjoy the last of the fresh, seasonal blackberries in some cocktails, shall we?

CHECK OUT ALL MY
BLACKBERRY COCKTAILS

SOME OF THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF BLACKBERRIES:

• Blackberries are high in fiber which can reduce your risk of heart diseases and diabetes. They also help digestion.
• Blackberries contain Vitamin K which helps in the absorption of calcium and helps your blood clot.
• Blackberries contain Vitamin A and E which promote the healthy function of your brain and heart.
• Blackberries contain many minerals, including iron, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, copper, manganese and selenium, which are important to the natural development and maintenance of bones and tissue.
• Blackberries contain Omega-3, a fatty acid that is essential to the body that must be acquired from outside sources. Omega-3 aids in the prevention of heart disease, arthritis, some types of cancer and high cholesterol.

Shake up a Healthy Martini - À VOTRE SANTÉ!

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STAR TREK INSPIRED COCKTAILS - BEAM ME UP SOME VODKA, SCOTTY!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY STAR TREK!

I am a HUGE Star Trek Fan so to honor my favorite TV show of all time I am bringing you some Star Trek Inspired Martinis & Cocktails:

FEDERATION PHASER SHOT*

1/2 Oz. Midori Melon Liqueur
1/2 Oz. 'Andorian' Whiskey
1/2 Oz. Irish Cream Liqueur
Bacardi® 151 Rum Float

Pour in the Irish Cream, then the Whiskey, followed by the Midori and stir until mixed. Add the float of 151, light it with a long barbecue style lighter. Please read flaming drink precautions below.*

SPOCK'S PLOMEEK PULVERIZER

1 Oz. Terran Cucumber Juice

1 Oz. Terran Tomato Juice

Splash of Lemon Juice

1-1/2 Oz. Gin

2 Dashes of Chipotle Sauce

Lemon

Cosmic Celery Salt

Rub the lemon onto the rim of your cocktail glass then dip rim in the salt.  Pour the remaining ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake until ice cold. Strain into your glass and garnish with a lemon twist and a pickled green bean.

JAMES TIBERIOUS KIRK-TINI

2 Oz. 'Saurian' Brandy

1/4 Oz. Sweet Vermouth

4 Dashes of Orange Bitters

1 Sugar Cube

Muddle the sugar with the bitters and the water in the bottom of a cocktail shaker. Add ice, pour in the brandy and the vermouth, shake then strain into a chilledcocktailglass. Garnish with a twist of orange and some brandy soaked cherries.

BEAM ME UP, SCOTCHY

1-1/2 Oz. Scotch

1/2 Oz. Sweet Vermouth

1 Dash Cherry Bitters

1/4 Tsp. Orange Simple Syrup

Stir ingredients with ice, strain into a chilled cocktail glass, garnish with an orange slice and a cocktail cherry.

CHEKOV'S CAVIAR COCKTAIL

2 Oz. Ice Cold Wodkah

1/4 Tsp. Russian Caviar

Shake the wodkah with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.  Drop in the Russian Caviar. Serve with some blinis and Crème Fraîche topped off with more caviar.

THE UHURA KISS

1 Oz. Chocolate Vodka

1 Oz. Dark Creme de Cacao

2 Oz. Chocolate Milk

Dash of Chocolate Bitters

Pour all the ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake until ice cold. Pour into a martini glass, sprinkle on some dark chocolate shavings and drop in a chocolate kiss.

THE HARVEY MUDDSLIDE

1-1/2 Oz. Vodka

1-1/2 Oz.Frangelico

1-1/2 Oz. Kahlua

1-1/2 Oz. Half & Half

Crushed Oreo Cookies

Dip the rim of your cocktail glass into some Kahlua and then into the crushed Oreos.  Pour the vodka, Frangelico, Kahlua and half & half into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake until well chilled.  Pour into your glass and slide a full Oreo onto the rim.

WARP DRIVE

1 Oz. Cherry Vodka

1 Oz. Berry Vodka

1 Oz. Hpnotiq

1 Oz. Blue Curacao

1" Cube of Dry Ice

Pour all the ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake until well chilled. Pour into a martini glass and garnish with a Blue Raspberry Twizzler. Drop in the dry ice cube and drink with caution.

And, lest we forget,

Romulan Ale


Where's the Tranya?
Check out my
STAR TREK COCKTAILS Part Two

DRINK LONG & PROSPER!

*FLAMING DRINK PRECAUTIONS

• Do NOT drink this while the cocktail is still on fire! Extinguish all flames before consumption!
• Cap off all liquor bottles and move away from the area before lighting any cocktail on fire. Remove any other flammable items and watch out for your clothing and hair.
• Do not use a delicate or crystal glass because they are more prone to shattering from the heat and flame. Use a cheaper and heavier glass instead.
• Keep a fire extinguisher, glass of water or some other fire suppression method at hand.  Should the glass explode the flaming alcohol could run all over and start a very bad fire, remember, alcohol IS a fire accelerant!
• Do NOT stick any part of your body in or near the drink until you are positive the flames are extinguished. If it's too light outside you may not see the flames clearly as alcohol flames burn blue.
• Do not serve this to someone who has clearly had too much to drink. 
• Do not do this in the presence of children.  Don't give them any more dangerous ideas!

 P.S. STAR WARS FANS MAY GET THEIR COCKTAILS HERE.
  Updated 5-2021 PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY  

BERRY SHORTCAKE JELLY SHOT EDIBLE COCKTAILS

The very last of the summer berries are featured in my newest Edible Cocktail, the

BERRY GOOD SHORTCAKE EDIBLE COCKTAILS

A Jello Shot that will make for a Berry Delicious Happy Hour!

TOOLS
Measuring Cups
Non-stick Medium Saucepan
Non-stick Vegetable Spray
Spoons
Mold(s) for gels.
Large Metal Strainer
Mixing Bowls
Cookie Cutters (about the same diameter of the molds you are using for the gels)
Sheet Cake Pan (for baking the shortcake)

PREP

Spray your cocktail molds with a spray cooking gel.
Drop 3 or 4 Fresh Berries into your chosen cocktail mold.

MAKE THE GELATIN MIXTURE 
INGREDIENTS:
1 Small Box of Berry Flavored Gelatin Dessert Mix
2 Pkg. Unflavored Gelatin Powder
1 Cup of Mixed Berry Fruit Juice
1 Cup of Berry Vodka

DIRECTIONS for Gels:
 In a medium saucepan, add the gelatin to the mixed berry fruit juice and allow to dissolve for a few minutes.
Heat this mixture until the gelatin is completely dissolved - about 2 to 4 minutes. DO NOT BOIL.
Turn off the heat, stir in the Berry Flavored Gelatin and stir until dissolved.
Quickly add the cup of Berry Vodka.
Pour the gel mixture over the fresh berries in the molds and allow to set in the fridge for at least 4 hours.

WHILE YOUR GELS SET
Make your Mixed Berry Coulis (recipe just below) and your Bisquick Shortcakes (recipe for shortcake mixture is on the Bisquick box).

SHORTCAKES
Follow the directions on the Bisquick box for the shortcake recipe BUT do not roll and shape shortcakes. Spread the mixture into the greased sheet cake pan about 1/2" deep. Bake at the box temperature but check every 5 minutes as this is thin and likely to bake much faster than regular biscuits or shortcakes. When this is cooled you will be cutting out shapes to fit the bottom of your cocktail gels.

MIXED BERRY COULIS
INGREDIENTS: 
2 C. Assorted Fresh or Frozen Berries
3/4 C. of Sugar
1/8 C. of Lemon Juice

DIRECTIONS for Mixed Berry Coulis
Combine all the ingredients in a saucepan, bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer on medium-lo until the berries begin to break down and the mixture thickens (about 15 minutes), stirring occasionally. Press the mixture through a large strainer, over a bowl, to remove the seeds & sediment. (Store leftovers in a sealed container for up to a week in the refrigerator.)
Yes, you can prepare this without cooking as well - the only difference is a slightly smoother texture with the cooked but a higher nutritional value with the uncooked. I lower the sugar content on the uncooked if my berries are sweet enough!

ASSEMBLING YOUR EDIBLE COCKTAIL GELS:
Once your gels are set up, cut out a disc of the shortcake to fit the bottom of your gel, set the gels on top of these shortcake discs.
Pour some of the Mixed Berry Coulis on your serving plates.
Arrange 2 or 3 gels on each plate.
Top the gels with whipped cream and a few fresh berries.
Add a couple of extra dollops of whipped cream for the leftover berry coulis.
Serve with a spoon so your guest can eat the leftover coulis!


GENERAL SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS & TIPS
Cookie cutters don't need to be heated and silicone molds do not need to be heated to release either - but don't forget the cooking spray before you pour your gelatin into any mold!
Most cocktail gels can be frozen, depending on the ingredients.
If you're preparing these for a party that will have children present create some without alcohol simply by replacing the liquor with the same amount of a non- alcoholic liquid or puree of a complimentary flavor, BUT be sure to make the non-alcoholic ones look very different from the ones with alcohol.

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FOR MY SISTER on NATIONAL SISTERS DAY

HOW MY SISTER TURNED ME INTO THE MARTINI DIVA

The first Sunday in August is always National Sister's Day. It's a day to celebrate your sisters, whether they be sisters in blood or sisters in your heart.  My sister was both for me. She was my only birth sister and she was also my friend.  Having lost Patti in 2005, I pay tribute to her memory here today with a little story about how she is the person responsible for the very existence of The Martini Diva.

First, you have to know that Patti was my older sister by seven years and ten months and I drove her crazy when we were growing up.  Our family lived in a small little brick house in Wichita, Kansas and she and I shared a bedroom.  As a teenager Patti was horribly taxed by having a little sister in her personal space on a daily basis. I did not help the situation by being curious, rambunctious and always under foot - or under the bed, but I'll get to that in a minute.

I idolized my older sister. She had lots of friends, she went fun places like formal dances and toga parties. She got to wear pretty dresses, make-up and high heels PLUS she worked in a movie theater and could eat all the free popcorn she wanted!  She was always pretty, always with friends and always doing something interesting and I wanted to be just like her, so I followed in her footsteps - literally.  I was constantly on her heels trying to butt into her life and desperately trying to become part of her world.

I not only dogged her every move, I once hid under her bed while she entertained one of her boyfriends (with the door open of course, this was the fifties). I was constantly hunting for her diary to read so I could get all the private dish on her life.  I was relentless in my pursuit, I was clever and sneaky and I was a royal pain in the ass. I tried to copy her outfits, I imitated her mercilessly and whatever she had I wanted to have, whatever she did I wanted to do.

This included wanting to have a cocktail like the one she was drinking at a small party she gave. Of course I wasn't invited but that didn't stop me!  I surreptitiously crashed the party, snuck up to where Patti's glass sat and sneaked a little sip of her daiquiri when she wasn't looking. I loved it!  It was sweet, it tasted like a peach and it was frozen like the slushies I loved from Dairy Queen!  Patti caught me in the act and, instead of smacking me upside the head and chasing me out of the party, she grabbed a small shot glass and poured me my own little drink!  (Yes, she was underage, yes, our parents were gone and yes, my sister probably let me stay at the party so I wouldn't tattle on her!)

That little tumbler of my sister's daiquiri was my first taste of a cocktail. As a result of having that little shot I went and set up a "bar" in our basement the next day with table leaves, boxes and my little tin glass and tray set.  I then charged all the neighborhood kids a dime for Kool-Aid cocktails which I made with 7-up instead of water and garnished with Maraschino cherries I had copped from the party leftovers! Yeah, I was kind of a pill.

Daiquiris were not the only cocktails my sister introduced me to. My first taste of a Tom Collins, and Drambuie can also be attributed to her.  Like I said, whatever she did or had I wanted to have or do.

I crashed that party the same day Patti had caught me playing with a music box of hers that played "Love Letters" by Pat Boone. So, either she was trying to get me sick with my mini-daiquiri or she was bribing me or she had simply forgiven me for my trespass. Sadly, I will never know which because I never got a chance to ask her.  Patti died before my life as The Martini Diva began and it wasn't until I got hooked on martinis then began creating my own original and bespoke craft cocktails that I remembered that time from my past. 

Patti was not here when I began my journey into mixology and the world of martinis and she is not able to share The Martini Diva lifestyle with me now, that is something I regret every day at cocktail hour. I would love to be able to sit down at five o'clock, place a couple of martinis in front of both of us, share a drink and have a conversation with my sister.  If there was anyone in my life who would have truly enjoyed a fun martini and an hour or two of yakking - and deserved to share in them - it was my sister.

As a result of these childhood events I shall always consider Patty to be the inspiration for my fascination with all things happy hour. That first sip of daiquiri was my initial step towards becoming The Martini Diva and I have my sister to thank for it.

Patty, I hope you're enjoying a nice cold cocktail up there with the angels.

"My Sister is laughter even on the cloudy days of life." ~ Lillian Gish

Updated January 2016

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