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Martini Recipes A-D
Martini recipes you want 'em, then you are at the right spot. Following on these pages are the recipes that I have learned over the years from books, other talented bartenders, co-workers and some of my own devising. Just for clarification, I use the words martini and cocktail interchangeably for a drink made of alcohol, juices and other ingredients. Traditionally, martini was a term used only to refer to a concoction of straight gin or maybe vodka in more recent times and a touch of vermouth. Nowadays, martini and cocktail are more generic terms refering to a mixed alcoholic beverage. The one ingredient that is common to all of the martini recipes below is ice. To quote bartending master Dale Degroff from his book, The Craft of the Cocktail, "Ice is the soul of the American cocktail. Cocktails are shaken, stirred, and blended with ice." He goes on to explain that the large ice cube found in your freezer are great for serving spirits on the rocks. This is because they chill the liquor without over-diluting. However, for mixed drinks it is better to use cracked ice. You can do this by placing the large ice cubes in a dry towel and cracking with a wooden spoon or mallet. Whenever you plan on entertaining, make sure you have enough ice to last for all the cocktails you will be mixing.
O.K. These martini recipes are just guidelines. Many of these cocktails with have several different versions. Feel to tweat them as you see fit; add something or take something away. Before we get into cocktails, here are the recipes to sweet and sour mix, and simple syrup. I am starting with these because they are a primary ingredient in many martinis recipes listed at this website. Simple syrup Simple syrup is literally sugar water. It is used to sweetener in some martini recipes. Triple sec is typically used as a sweetener too. The difference is that simple syrup has neutral flavor, where as triple sec has an orange flavor. Simple syrup is also cheap as can be to make for those on a budget. Simple syrup is named correctly, because it is super easy to make. Just boil equal parts sugar and water, long enough for the sugar to dissolve. Let it cool down and there you go. The most convenient way to use this is to fill up a cleaned out, empty bottle of wine with your simple syrup and put a pour spout on it. Sweet and Sour Mix Sweet and sour mix is a standard ingredient in margaritas, but other martini recipes like Cosmopolitans and Lemon Drops call for a splash of it as well. I do this for extra taste and as a filler. Remember that the freshest juices make these cocktails taste the best.
Putting it togeter:
Makes 8 cups. For a short cut this works pretty well: In a quart sized store 'n pour fill the bottom two inches with fresh lime juice and then fill the rest up with lemonade. Then shake to mix ingredients. This is a bit imperfect, but it's fast. The key is to taste a little bit of your mix. The flavor should live up to its name - sweet and sour. Apple Martini For this martini recipe, please look under Green Apple Martini in the navagation bar index. B-52
Often served as a layered shooter. Kaluha on the bottom, Bailey's on the bottom and Grand Marnier on top. It can also be served as sipper, on the rocks, in a bucket glass. Bay Breeze
Top off with equal parts pineapple and cranberry juice. Serve on the rocks, in a high ball glass. Garnish with a lime wedge. Bitters Recipe Learn about Angostura Bitters, Peychaud's Bitters. Black Russian
Bloody Mary This is one of those drinks that every bartender has their own special way of making. It's fun to develop your own special twist on this one. Here is a basic recipe:
Mix ingredients together and shake cold. Strain into a pint glass. Many people like a salted rim on the glass. Garnishing this drink is just as fun. I have seen everything from lemon and lime wedges, cocktail olives and onions, a celery stick, to poached prawns. Boccie Ball
Serve on the rocks, in a high ball glass. Bubbly Cocktails Champagne basics, and bubbly cocktail recipes. Caipirinha A Caipirinha (ka-par-ain-ya)is Brazil's national drink, so you can figure it's great on a hot summer day. The liquor in a Caipirinha is called Cachaca. Pronounced Ka-Cha-SA. As I understand it, it is a Brazilian brandy made from sugar cane.
I have seen some recipes call for 2 teaspoons of sugar, which is fine. I like to use simple syrup, because to have to wait for the sugar to dissolve. Muddle about 5 lime wedges and then pour the ingredients. Shake ingredients cold and serve on the rocks in a bucket glass.
Cape Cod
Serve on the rocks in a high ball glass. Garnish with a lime wedge. Chocolate Martini Chocolate meets the martini glass! Cosmopolitan A favorite martini recipe of many people and one of the most widely ordered cocktails. The first time I attempted to make this martini recipe, I forgot to muddle the limes. The bartender who was teaching me had me taste the final product. It tasted just like a Jolly Rancher - sweet and sticky. I learned you need the balance between the citrus and sweetness to make the perfect Cosmo. Have a shot as this martini recipe:
Muddle a couple of lime wedges, or if you prefer squeeze a quater of a lime into a shaker with ice. Pour in other ingredients, shake cold and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a lime wedge. Dessert Cocktails If sweetness is your weakness, you'll love these dessert cocktails. Dirty Martini Recipe Always a fun one to order: Make it durrrrty!
Shake cold, serve in a martini glass. Garnish with olives. Some enjoy stuffing their olives with cheese, or experimenting with a wide range of olives available at most quality delis.
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Some other recipes are classics and have been around for decades. Along with these martini recipes are basic concepts and techniques on making the perfect cocktail. 