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Strawberry Mint Martini

Jul 222011

This one is sort of a Shaker take on a strawberry mojito. Muddled fresh strawberries, mint leaves, simple syrup, shaken with ice, vodka and lime juice……

A more girly martini perhaps. Sweeter with just a subtle hint of mint coming through. Next time I’d go heavier on the lime. I feel like it’s missing something to pull it up into the really fantastic range. Plus, I can’t help but compare any strawberry martini to the Strawberry Jalapeno superstar. Still, tasty and refreshing. A pleasant summer sip.

3 3/4 Olives

Bubbly Tales: Pt. 12- The Effervescent Chameleon

Champagne/Prosecco, Spirits No Responses »

Jul 202011

True Confessions Time: Shaker One has an entire shelf in her fridge devoted solely to all things fizzy. I use bookends to hold up the rows of bottles. Mostly its a few varieties of proseccos, kept on hand for whenever the mood hits. Currently there’s also that bottle of South African bubbly I’ve wanted to try but just haven’t found a reason to open, next to the bottle of Schlumberger White Secco. And of course, the ever present emergency champagne bottle remains at the ready at all times (usually Moet).

Shaker One Life Rule: Like pearl earrings or a little black dress, a lady always keeps a chilled bottle of champagne on hand for any emergencies.

Now I adore champagne cocktails, but sometimes one is in the mood for something a bit different…like:

Bittersweet Bubbly Cooler

Take a tall glass, add a splash of Chambord, a bigger splash of Rose’s Lime (or lime juice and simple syrup), a few dashes of bitters (like Angostura), add ice, fresh berries top with sparkling wine and stir.

This is a unique take on the traditional champagne cocktail. Not sweet, with a complex layered flavor that is still completely refreshing. This is a great way to kill the last of the bubbly in last night’s bottle. I shall make this one again very soon.

Pop your corks and enjoy!

The Gift of Inspiration

Goodies, Spirits No Responses »

Jul 152011

So I’m sitting at my desk doing work-related things and my doorbell rings. Huh, not expecting anyone at 5pm on a saturday afternoon. “Fedex delivery, we’re gonna need an adult’s signature for this”.

Well, technically I suppose I qualify. But I didn’t order anything….and it seems to be booze. Can it be? Is the mythical Wine Fairy real??

I opened the carton and unwrapped some wonderful new ingredients:

Fruit infused dessert wines and bitters from a small manufacturer in Maine. A few emails later, I discover to my delight that one of my Sisters, while in Maine, did a tasting and decided I needed to experiment with some fun new ingredients~!

I can’t wait to see how these play with summer fruits. And two new bitters! I do love the special magic that just the right dash of bitters can add to a cocktail.

Sorry, no wine fairy. But even better~inspiration in a box, completely unexpected. Stay tuned for what I dream up with these.

And thanks Lynda!!

Bubbly Tales Pt. 11: The Good Ship Fizzy Cup

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Jul 132011

When Shaker One was just a wee girl, eating out at a fancy restaurant was a rare treat. To my 6 year old self, nothing was more elegant than ordering my own “cocktail”- The Shirley Temple. A grown up looking drink in my favorite little girl color garnished with a cherry. Sometimes the bartender would even put a little drink umbrella in it for me. I fancied myself quite the sophisticate!

Flash forward 20 years or so (What? Move along.) to a hot summer evening and a thirsty Shaker. A school night, so martinis are out and I wanted something more than just a glass of bubbly……..Shaker One gets creative.

The Tipsy Temple

Pomme juice, lime juice, simple syrup, a splash of lemon over ice topped with prosecco and very ripe berries. Looks like Miss Temple stayed out after curfew on this one. Innocent pink color, heady scent of lush berries as you sip, slightly sweet but mostly very refreshing. Stand up and cheer, this one’s a winner!

Now gentlemen, I don’t want to hear “but it’s pink!”. Of course it is. Many delicious things are red. And red, when diluted with things like vodka or prosecco turns pink. Be secure enough to imbibe all things blushing.

Cherries optional.

Strawberry Jalapeno Martini

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Jul 082011

Shaker One back with more spicy sips. Those of you who enjoyed the Spicy Pineapple martini, fasten your seat belts. This drink is going to wake up your taste buds. Still searching for ways to use up my enormous bag of fresh jalapenos and finding myself firmly in the midst of strawberry season, what’s a Shaker to do?

Why, make a Strawberry Jalapeno Martini of course!

Now, you may think this sounds like an odd combination. And it sort of does. But trust me on this one. It became an instant favorite of mine.

Fat juicy strawberries, chunks of fresh jalapenos (seeds in)and a bit of simple syrup muddled up. Add ice, vodka, lime juice and shake that liquid maraca~

I garnished with pretty things, but the key here is to toss a few of the jalapeno seeds into the martini glass. This is an outstanding drink. Really subtle and fresh. You can add more jalapeno if you want to up the heat, but I like it balanced so you don’t lose the fantastic flavor of the fresh berries.

I’d give this South of the Border Seductress 5 olives.

Shaker Two-what do you think?

Bubbly Tales-Pt. 10: Second String

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Jul 062011

Hello fans of all things effervescent. Shaker One is back with yet another prosecco for you to try. You may ask, “do you do nothing but sample proseccos in your spare time?” Well, I do cook as well. :/

Here’s another from my beloved Trader Joe’s:

Villa Carlotti Prosecco. Similar price point to my old pal Zonin.

I tried this one straight-no berries or additions. It is a dryer bubbly, balanced and pleasant with a hint of apricots. Oh man, now I sound like one of THOSE wine people. Stop me. Anyway, I enjoyed it and it has earned itself a seat on the bench. If Zonin goes out of the game, I’ll send in this sparkler.

Now go pour yourselves a glass of something fun.

La Pina Picante

garnish, martini 1 Response »

Jul 012011

The June gloom in Southern California has finally abated and warmer weather is upon us. Lately Shaker One has been on a spicy/Mexican food kick. I bought an enormous bag of jalapenos and made seriously fantastic pico de gallo which I’ve been putting on just about everything. But my proseccos or even my lambruscos just didn’t seem like the right beverage to accompany all these tasty taco treats. Not in the mood for a margarita, not tempted by the Pacifico in the fridge……..I spied a pineapple and had a flash of inspiration.

The Spicy Pineapple Martini

Chunks of jalapeno peppers, fresh cut pineapple, the juice of one lime and simple syrup muddled up. Added vodka, a bit more lime juice, ice and shake that baby like a maraca~

Garnished with a sliver of jalapeno pepper (seeds removed this time), this is a really fantastic cocktail. Totally refreshing. All the tart sweetness comes from the natural juice of the pineapple and you get just a hint of heat on the finish from the jalapeno without being overpowered. The lime juice provides the perfect bridge between the two flavors. I love this.

4 1/2 olives.

Can’t wait for Shaker Two to give this a try and tell us what she thinks. Hasta luego!

Bubbly Tales-Pt. 9: A Whiter Shade of Yum.

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Jun 292011

Shaker One here-back for another sip of all things fizzy. So as I’ve mentioned before, I’m not much of a wine drinker. I enjoy hearty reds with meals. But wine is a “drink with food” beverage for me. And for some odd reason -bubblies aside- I only drink reds. While grabbing a few bottles of my new friend Lambrusco (red) I noticed that they had the same brand in white….hmmmm. I was intrigued.

You know the drill: glass, ice, toss in a few berries for fun and here we go.

Nice! Very nice. Soft, not too sweet and none of that “oaky” chardonnay taste I loathe. You could very easily make a white sangria from this for the summer….add fresh berries, nectarines, whatever fruit makes you happy.

I’m still crushing hard on my new bestest summer friend Red Lambrusco, but Whitey can stop by every now and then and join in the fun.

Oh Lambruscos, where have you been all my summertimes?

To Foam or Not To Foam

definitions, martini No Responses »

Jun 242011

Recently at one of our Shaker Nights we were asked by a guest what a flip was, how one flipped, why and what exactly it brought to a cocktail. This brings about the whole “yeah or nay” on raw eggs debate. Wars were fought over less.

So, salmonella scares aside- a flip (adding egg whites to a shaken cocktail) is simply a way to add body and create a foamy top to the drink. Shaker One thinks you do achieve a more smooth mouth feel with the egg whites, but it in no way affects the overall flavor of your drink.

Which do we prefer? We of course decided to do a head to head taste test (so to speak).

Spicy Lemon Drop vs. Spicy Lemon Flip:

And the verdict? The Shakers both enjoy them either way. Certain martinis lend themselves to the foam. The Earl Grey MarTeani, for example, suffers from the absence of the egg if you leave it out. The Spicy Lemon Drop can be enjoyed equally either way. Bottom line, like so many other things it comes down to personal preference. Flip or don’t. Whatever floats your boat.

Just stay away from the Frothee. :/

Bubbly Tales: Pt. 8~Lovely Lambrusco

Champagne/Prosecco No Responses »

Jun 222011

Hello bubbly fans, Shaker One here with the latest taste of all things fizzy. After my experience with that retro red Riunite, I became curious about lambruscos. What are these fizzy chilled reds? Was the Riunite a fluke, or have I stumbled upon the perfect summer red?

So on my latest trip to Trader Joe’s I poked around and sure enough, they had a few different types. I grabbed one bottle of a red lambrusco and one bottle of a white lambrusco (to be tasted later). And last night I had one of those “I’m too tired to make dinner” nights. Out of the freezer came a Tart D’Alsace (from TJ’s, shocking I know)which is phenomenal by the way……a French style flatbread with ham, caramelized onions and gruyere cheese. Yum, and a perfect meal paired with a nice arugula salad. While it baked, I poked around in the fridge pondering a suitable adult beverage. Hmmm, let’s try that red lambrusco.

Over ice, in a wine goblet with a strawberry and wedge of lemon thrown in for good measure.

Oh my. This one is fantastic! Poured out with a nice foamy pink head, it had a fruity smell. One sip and I’m hooked. It is refreshing and fruity tasting without being at all sweet. This will become a regular in my basket on my weekly (ok, bi or tri weekly) TJ’s field trips. Though we’re “enjoying” the typical June Gloom here in Southern California, I can see this being just the thing to hit the spot on a hot summer day/evening.

And I’ve saved the best for last-this lovely refresher chimes in at around $6 a bottle! Wow. Lambrusco, I’m beginning to develop a healthy crush on you.

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