French Martini

We went to a restaurant today and they had on the menu a "French Martini" of course they never tell you how much is in the martini, they just tell you what is in it. So there I am, writing all the ingredients of all the fun looking drinks on a napkin!! I really wanted my hubby to take a picture with his phone of the menu but the look I got when I suggested it was a little awkward so I decided against pursuing it. I think he was a little embarrassed, and I am not 100% sure he will be taking me out again in the near future - you can dress me up but can't take me anywhere :) :) :)

This one is really good though - it may not be the exact one that they had there but the one that I made was really yummy!!

2 ounces high end Vodka (I used Grey Goose)
1 1/2 ounce Chambord
2 1/2 ounces Pineapple Juice
Ice

I of course used my Boston shaker. I chilled the Martini glass using ice and water. Then I mixed the liqueurs and the pineapple juice in the glass part of the Boston shaker then filled it completely with ice. I shook the shaker with all the liquids then strained it in a martini glass. It was excellent!

Enjoy!

All my stuff

Since I started making Martini's, I have collected so many cool things. The other night, I saw an episode of "Good Eats" on the Food Network. Alton Brown showed the way to make a perfect Martini. Of course, he had a stocked bar and all the little gadgets that go with it. My husband had to stay up to watch the show (which was on WAY past his bedtime) just so that he could see all the different things that Alton had so he could get them for me for Christmas.

I have a top of the line Martini shaker that my best friend, Becky gave me for my birthday. It was featured in the Food Network magazine a few magazines ago and it is so nice! It has a flip top, and has a great seal on it - NO SPILLING!! YAHOO!!! I use this to make Margaritas, Pearl Harbours, and any other mixed drink. There is something about the way ice sounds when it is being shaken in a martini shaker!!

This Christmas, after seeing the Alton Brown Martini show, I HAD TO HAD TO HAD TO have a Boston Shaker. I had no idea how to use them, or why I needed one but Alton had one so what the heck right?!?!? Anyways, my poor husband, and Becky and her dad searched high and low for this Boston Shaker and it was not to be found in any store in fact, Ray said that they looked at him like he had grown 2 heads when he said what he was looking for!!

He had to turn to his savior the Internet where he found one on Amazon. He found that along with every size measuring cup there is. I love them all!! You will be able to find all of these things on http://www.amazon.com/ and put in the keyword Boston shaker. They will come right up.

I used the Boston shaker blog to find out the correct way to use it. It was really informative and had all the different types of strainers. It also has a video on how to use the shaker itself which I thought was really neat. I need a visual!! The link is here if you are interested:

The picture shows everything. The Boston shaker comes with the strainer and the glass and metal cup, the 3 size jiggers are in front then my martini shaker is the last one on the right.

http://thebostonshaker.com/_blog/ShakerSmarts/post/What_is_a_Boston_Shaker_(And_how_do_you_use_it)/

Have I ever told you how much I LOVE MARTINI'S?????

Apple Pie Ala Mode

Quite the name for such a cool drink!! Stoli Vanilla Vodka and Apple pie liqueur with some apple cider - OH WOW!!! What a great addition to next year's fall line up!!

1 1/2 ounce Stoli Vanil Vodka
2 ounces Apple Pie Liqueur - See previous post
1/2 ounce Peach Schnapps
2 ounces Apple Cider

Put in shaker with ice and shake. Strain into martini glass and ENJOY!!

Apple Pie Liquor - A must have!!!!

Today, as I was heading out to find something new and exciting, I came across a new liquor - well, it's new to me - it's called Apple Pie Liqueur. As I was coming up with something to do with it, I came across the website - check it out sometime! There is a great story of the liqueur and how it came about as well as different recipes to do with it. The website is http://www.drinkpie.com/

I also have a recipe, but for now, here is what the bottle looks like!

Chili's Jamaican Paradise

This is by far my favorite drink from Chili's - I always get it!! I am os excited to be able to share it with all of you! This recipe is a copycat from the Top Secret Recipes drink book that I posted previously.

1 1/4 ounces Malibu Rum
1/2 ounce Tequila
1/2 ounce Midori
1/2 ounce Blue Curacao Liqueur
2 ounces sweet and sour mix
Splash lime juice

Garnish:
Orange wedge
Maraschino cherry

1. Fill 16 ounce mug with ice
2. Combine all ingredients in a shaker and shake. Pour over ice.
3. Add an orange wedge and maraschino cherry on a toothpick and serve with a straw (or if you are me in a wine glass LOL!)

Gotta get the recipes from somewhere!!

I have been trying to utilize some of my cookbooks lately. Yes everyone, I can cook too!! Not just martinis!! Anyhow, If you love to mix drinks and you have favorites from The Olive Garden and Chili's, you will love this book I have, and you NEED one :) It is Top Secret Recipes and it is the one for all drinks. Not only martinis and margaritas but smoothies and non alcoholic drinks as well as recipes for pina colada mix, and sour mix. I have been using that recipe instead of buying it - SO MUCH CHEAPER!!! Anyways, here is a picture of the book so you can get it an add it to your collection!!