PINEAPPLE SPLASH: Agave and a Touch of Class!

TAKE THE PLUNGE!  PERFECT FOR SUSHI!

n 2 oz. Square One Cucumber

n 3 – 4 mint leaves

n 1/2 oz. Cointreau

n 2 oz. pineapple juice

n 1/2 oz. fresh lime juice

n 1/2 oz. organic agave nectar

 or simple syrup

n club soda

n pineapple wedge or cucumber 

 wheel for garnish

In a mixing glass, briefly muddle

mint to release aroma. Pour in 

other ingredients and fill with ice. 

Shake briefly and then strain into 

a Collins glass filled with ice. 

Top with club soda and stir once.

Garnish with a pineapple wedge 

or cucumber wheel.

CHERUB'S CUP: Lightly Sweet, Decadent, and a Damn Good Sip! Happy Valentine's Day from Mixology Trends!

Ingredients:

• 1 part St. Germain elderflower liqueur
• 2 parts vodka, citrus vodka, or Hendricks Gin
• 3/4 part fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 shot simple syrup
• 1 part muddled strawberry
• top with Brut Rosé Sparkling Wine
• strawberry for garnish

Preparation:

1. Shake and strain over fresh rocks in a collins glass.
2. Top with Brut Rose or Brut Champagne.
3. Garnish with a strawberry.

CREME BRULEE MARTINI- Perfect for Valentine's Day!!

Quite the alluring cocktail, the Crème Brûlée Martini transforms a favorite dessert (Crème Brûlée) into a fantastic beverage. You can get the real deal at NYC'sBruno Jamais with Mixologist Benjamin Maury. The creamy custard and vanilla flavors are accented beautifully with a hard caramel garnish. Quite impressive.

Ingredients:

• 2 Parts Stoli Vanil
• 0.75 Parts Port of Crème Anglaise
• 1 Dash of Simple Syrup
• hard caramel for garnish (see photo)

Preparation:

1. Blend the above ingredients in a shaker.
2. Shake well and strain in a Martini Glass.
3. Decorate with hard caramel.

THE VIEUX CARRE- Revelation of the French Quarter

Of all the cocktails served in the New Orleans, only one reflects the true spirit of the French Quarter ¾ The Vieux Carré. Created in 1938 at the renowned Hotel Monteleone, the Vieux Carré mixes French Cognac, Italian Vermouth, American Whiskey and Caribbean bitters for the perfect blend of French Quarter cultures. It’s the perfect way to Keepin it Royal.

The Vieux Carré

1 oz. Rye Whiskey

1 oz. Cognac

1 oz. Sweet Vermouth

1 barspoon Benedictine

dash of Peychaud’s Bitters

dash of Angostura Bitters

Mix in a large Old Fashioned Glass. Add Ice. Stir.

THE SWEET RUBY- Complex, Sweet and Warm

2 TBSP Ruby Port, such as Warre's Warrior Special Reserve
1.5 TBSP Amaretto di Saronno
2 dashes of Angostura Bitters

Combine the port, amaretto and bitters in a chilled mixing glass or cocktail shaker.  Fill the glass almost to the top with ice.  Stir with a long spoon until well combined, about 10 seconds.  Strain into a chilled rocks glass over fresh ice and serve.

CARROT LEMONADE??? It Totally Rocks!!!

CARROT LEMONADE RECIPE

Here is a delightful drink for the raw foodists out there.  I think you will find this amusing.  It tastes amazing and refreshes tired skin and eyes.

4-5 medium carrots 1/2 medium lemon 1 mildly tart apple (fujis or galas are nice) 1 small 1.5 - 2 " wedge red cabbage 1 round of ginger, about the size of a quarter Juice all the ingredients and enjoy!

ITALIAN INSPIRATION: TRY THIS ONE!

Strawberry Balsamic Martini

The sweet and exotic Strawberry Balsamic Martini is a favorite among the 14 handcrafted cocktails at Chicago’s District Bar. The cocktail menu at District Bar was created in part by Bridget Albert, a master mixologist, author and head bartender at the Obama inauguration party in Washington D.C.  Her idea behind the Strawberry Balsamic Martini was to add a little twist on a classic favorite, and the result is absolutely delectable.

Ms. Albert favors Belvedere vodka. We favor serving a double-crème cheese like Brie with it. For a festive occasion, try this Brie Jam Torte recipe.

Strawberry Balsamic Martini

Ingredients Per Cocktail 1-3/4 ounces vodka 1 ounce simple syrup Squeeze of fresh lime juice 3 strawberries, hulled 1/4  ounce balsamic vinegar (2 small spoonfuls—the better the vinegar, the better the martini will be) Strawberry for garnish Ice Preparation Muddle the strawberries with the balsamic vinegar, simple syrup and lime juice. Add the vodka and ice. Shake vigorously and strain into chilled short martini glass. Garnish with half strawberry. If you’d like the cocktail less sweet, cut back on the simple syrup.