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Signature Martinis ... w/ a Holiday Twist

Even though it's now considered tried and true, I still love the incorporation of the signature drink for celebration events. Here are a few tasty martinis perfect for the holidays:

MAYFLOWER MARTINI
(courtesy of Food Network)

Ingredients:
2 teaspoons sweet vermouth
Ice cubes
1 part gin
2 parts white cranberry juice
Whole cranberries on toothpicks, to garnish

Instructions:
Pour 1 teaspoon of sweet vermouth into each martini glass; swirl glass to coat and pour out excess. Set aside. Fill a martini shaker with ice cubes. Pour 1 part gin and 2 parts white cranberry juice. Shake vigorously. Pour into martini glasses. Serve chilled with a garnish of whole cranberries on a toothpick.

PUMPKIN PIE MARTINI
(courtesy of New York Magazine)

Ingredients:
2 parts Absolut Vanila vodka
1 part pumpkin schnapps
Splash of cream (or substitute a splash of orange juice)
Nutmeg

Instructions:
Shake all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with nutmeg and cherry.

CANDY CANE MARTINI
(courtesy of The Boston Globe)

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon superfine sugar
1 tablespoon hot water
¼ cup very finely crushed candy canes
2 ounces vanilla vodka
½ ounce white creme de menthe
1 teaspoon whole milk
1 small candy cane (for garnish)

Instructions:
In a microwave-safe cup, heat the sugar and water for 30 seconds or until the sugar dissolves. Spread crushed candy canes on a piece of waxed paper. Fill a martini glass with ice cubes, swirl it around, then tip out the ice. Dip the rim of the glass into the crushed candy canes so the candy sticks to all sides of the rim. Fill a metal shaker with ice and add the vodka, creme de menthe, sugar mixture, and milk. Shake vigorously and strain into a martini glass. Decorate with the candy cane.

GINGERBREAD APPLE CRISP MARTINI
(courtesy of Cocktail Times)

Ingredients:
1 oz Monin gingerbread syrup
2 oz Bacardi Big Apple rum
2 oz apple juice
Splash of lemon juice

Instructions:
Place 1/2 cup of simple syrup and 4 tablespoons of graham cracker crumbs on separate plates. Dip outside rim of martini glass into simple syrup, then into graham cracker crumbs several times to ensure coverage. Set aside. In a cocktail shaker, combine rum, gingerbread syrup, apple juice and lemon juice. Shake with ice in a cocktail shaker and strain into rimmed martini glass. Garnish with red apple slice.

$2K ARISTOCRAT MARTINI...here's to having money in your pocket on New Year's Eve!
(courtesy of Daily Olive)
In Las Vegas, the city of ultimate extravagances, when you're on a roll, you might be tempted to order a $2,000 martini at Body English (a club at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino).

Ingredients:
Remy Martin Louis XIII Cognac
150 year old Gran Marnier
Splash of Dom Perignon

Instructions:
Chill 2 ounces of Louis XIII and 1/2 to 3/4 Gran Marnier 150. Pour into a martini glass, then top with Dom. Serve with a ruby and diamond encrusted swizzle stick - and voilà, that will be $2000 to the hostess.

Comments

O said…
Another festive drink for the season is Remy Martin VSOP Cognac, a champagne that is made from Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne euax-de-vie. Sweet, with a hint of vanilla and even a tinge of licorice. you can get it at www.drinkupny.com.

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