Martini Fashion Night Out - Top Pick Accessories

BarBasics-in-a-Box

Whether you prefer shaken or stirred - vodka or gin - Dirty, Apple, Chocolate or Cosmopolitan, it's a good idea to add a some serving savoir-faire to your pour of this classic cocktail.  In light of this month's Fashion Night Out celebrations, we thought a similar focus on how to fashionably accessorize your martini could be useful.

We're sharing some of our staff's top pick fashion accessories offering ideas to dress up that martini with a little savvy style tailored to your personal interests...

Let's start with the basic bar tools needed (aside from your choice of alcohol, ice and related ingredients).

Martini Bar Tools

Here are the 6 tools that will ensure martini makers of all styles are well-equipped:

• Shaker (minimum 11 oz. can be stainless steel or glass)
• Pitcher
• Cocktail spoon
• Jigger or Shot Glass
• Knife
• Glasses - martini or rocks (DOF)

Option 1 - Shaken, not Stirred

If your preference is shaken, not stirred, here are a few fashionable options to ensure you shake it up with style.

"Sterling Cooper and You” How to Throw a 1960s Mad Men Inspired Party

We have the great pleasure of introducing a very special guest contributor.  Embodying the perfect mix of class, savvy & sass, Auntie Carrie's Speakeasy offers a spot-on perspective about entertaining.  Read on to enjoy her take on the quintessential 1960s "Mad Men" themed party.

Unless you are like Auntie and I, who run our own Speak Easy, (no address given. So please don’t ask), the theme of 1920s is so done. But what’s sexy right now? An equally inebriating decade: the 1960s. Throwing a 1960s Mad Men themed party will make you the talk of the town. This is how Auntie Carrie’s Speak Easy would do it: Of course, our simple “How to a Throw Party” rules apply.

1. The Classic Cocktail: Familiarize yourself with the drinks of the times. Unless you have a head for bartending, just learn how to make three Classics (proportions courtesy of Drinks Mixer. We would suggest a Martini, Tom Collins and a Manhattan. The Mad Men Site has a wonderful collection of drinks from the period. However, I take issue with their listing vodka as the primary ingredient in the Martini. Do have vodka as an option but do be prepared to make a classic Martini. Also, make sure to have a healthy supply of scotch, champagne, garnishes (cherries, lemons, straws, umbrellas, plastic monkeys) and a top notch looking bar.

Martini

75ml (or approx 2+ 1/2 oz) Gin

15ml (or approx 1/4 oz) Dry Vermouth

1 green olive OR a twist of lemon peel

Tom Collins

2 oz gin

1 oz lemon juice

1 tsp superfine sugar

3 oz club soda

1 maraschino cherry

1 slice orange

Manhattan

3/4 oz sweet vermouth

2 1/2 oz bourbon whiskey

1 dash Angostura® bitters

1 maraschino cherry

1 twist orange peel

2. Party Punch.We believe every party should have a signature drink. Sometimes your friends have no idea what they want. Why waste time deciding when they should be drinking? We suggest a Brandy Punch:

Behind the bar at Foodies' Night In (8/9)

At a local haunt, there's a tradition of ringing an old bell promptly each day at 5p.  The context for the tradition is that when the neighborhood was an old meat-packing district, the locals would listen for the bell to know it was time to join together to raise a glass with good friends and colleagues to toast and give thanks to the completion of another day's work. 

We like the tradition of a cocktail hour - and highlighted it in 10 Trends in Savvy Entertaining.  as a chance to transition from the hectic work day into a more personal mode and lifestyle.  Whether your libation is beer, wine, or mixed cocktail, we think that it's a valuable time of day to take a breath, and to enjoy exchanging a few ideas, swap a few stories and sharing some laughs.

Perfect topic for our friends - old & new - joining Foodies' Night In - It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere - on Monday, 9 August.

This week's Sponsor happens to fit well into our cocktail hour gameplan - Crispin Cider.  We're big fans of cider - and have had the pleasure of enjoying almost all of the Crispin products this summer!  A little about Crispin -

Classically refined, but not styled as a traditional "sweet beer" beer alternative, Crispin ciders are crisp and clean, not sweet and sticky and never sacrifice superior quality refreshment satisfaction for overbearing complexity.  Always true to the apple, Crispin Hard Ciders are naturally fermented using apple juice, never from apple juice concentrate, from a premium blend of US West Coast apples, with no added malt, grape wine or spirit alcohol. Crispin’s unique flavors are smoothed with pure apple juice or from natural sugar sources like oragnic honey or organic maple syrup, and contain no added colorants, sorbate or benzoate preservatives and are filtered cold for crisp refreshment. Crispin ciders are all Gluten Free for the wheat-intolerant person.

We're looking forward to learning more from them about how they enjoy happy hour - and what interesting signature cocktails can be made with cider.

A Toast To The Hosts: Organize a Drink-Themed Progressive Dinner!

Photo credit: Sebastian Pothe

Introducing our next guest contributor in the Savvy Experts in Entertaining series, author Felicia Coley of The Well-Heeled Society. Sign us up for this dinner party idea!

It may take a village to raise a child, but it only takes a few swanky neighbors to raise a toast to a drink-themed progressive dinner party! 

Photo credit: Gözde Otman 

In keeping with the state of the economy, a progressive dinner is the poshly frugal answer to group entertaining.  Done in the radius of a neighborhood block, condo highrise or apartment building, each host has a minimal monetary obligation.  This list of recipes for five hosts will serve at least eight people, providing the fact that the hosts may involve singles and couples (adjust accordingly for your event).

Once a date and time is confirmed by all neighbors involved, it's a matter of deciding which hosts serves what.  Cheers! 

The Martini: What Once Was, What Now is, and What Can Be

Kicking off our Savvy Experts in Entertaining series is special guest, Mark Vierthaler of Cocktails, 365.

It's a sexy, slinky black dress.

A smokey saxophone solo.

Steam slowly rising from a city street after a summer rain.

It simply oozes class.

Wait. Scratch that. Oozing is much, much too base for it.

It's the-only-woman-wearing-a-red-dress-at-the-Met-Opera classy. Gorgeous, understated; the cause for many a man's turned head, lingering eye and quickening pulse. It's the Martini. Not an Appletini, not a Super Duper Chocolate Attack Martini.

The Martini. The mother of them all. The classic cocktail that launched a thousand careers and millions of derivatives. This isn't your crazy-crap-on-the-walls restaurant Martini. This is your grandpappy's Martini.

And yet, for something so ubiquitous to the bar scene, the Martini's history is pretty much unknown. It's generally believed that the Martini evolved from an even older cocktail — The Martinez. The Martinez, created 1862, called for 4 parts red sweet Vermouth to 1 part Gin, garnished with a cherry. Make one of these time capsules sometime. I don't think you'll regret it.

From there it was a slow evolution. Eventually, the Martinez evolved into what is now known as the classic Martini. Is it true? No one really knows! Not a shabby story, though!

And a simpler cocktail, you couldn't make.

There's a New Margarita in Town

Just in time for Cinco de Mayo, we had to share two margarita creations to expand your fiesta horizons ~ Tamarind and Campari.

See if these don't add a little "OLE" to your evening...

Tamarind Margarita

We've tasted some of the best while on travel in Puerto Vallarta.  This blended, more sour than sweet tasting margarita is now a staple for us.  If you read reviews, there seems to always be the word "complex" in the description of the taste - we would have to agree.

There is something to be said for the fresh tamarind approach, but the Mr. Manish Tamarind paste recommended by "Transcendent Agave Master" works well and is readily available where ever you can buy Mexican, Indian or Asian specialty foods.  If you have the time, it's worth trying the tamarind pulp.

Recipe Ingredients (serves 4)
4 oz tamarind pulp (from a block) OR

3 oz tamarind concentrate or paste (recommend Laxmi brand concentrate or Mr. Manish brand paste)

If using tamarind block - break into small pieces (should yield ~ 1/2 cup packed). Soak in 1 cup boiling water, stirring to break up and soften about 10 minutes.  Strain through sieve, using spatula to force as much pulp as possible. Discard solids.  Cool liquid to room temperature and add as noted.

8 oz. your preferred white tequila

2-3  tablespoons superfine sugar
2 cups ice
1/2 cup fresh lime juice + 2 tablespoons for lining rim

1/4 cup Cointreau (optional)

splash Orange Juice (optional)

Blend tequila, Cointreau, lime juice, sugar, and ice with chilled tamarind pulp (or tamarind concentrate).  If you prefer your margarita on the rocks, skip the blender and use a shaker instead adding the ice to the glasses.  

NOTE: some prefer to add a few tablespoons of orange juice to increase the fruit flavor.

Dip glass rims into reserved lime juice and then into salt garnish.

Garnish

~ 1-2 tablespoons kosher salt mixed with finely grated orange or lime zest & chili powder to taste (recommend a 3:1 ratio of salt to other ingredients)

~ lime wedges

Campari Margarita

Despite our passion for all things Campari, we cannot take any credit for this bittersweet spin off.  

Coincidentally, two favorite sources of cocktail inspiration shared different versions of this margarita which we are thrilled to pass along for you to taste and compare.

The Intoxicologist posted this recipe, as part of the great series of Drink Recipe Cards through Facebook. The Intoxicologist is a favorite Savvy Host source of cocktail intelligence, so when we saw this, taste-testing for today's fiesta was mandatory.  We like including the tequila as a strong balance to the Campari (much like gin with a traditional Negroni).  The Cointreau adds that orange note which is always a winner with Campari and many margaritas.

Our friends at Campari suggest an even more simple approach in their version of this Margarita.  Be sure to test drive their Campari Cocktails How-To video!

Recipe Ingredients

1 part Campari

1 part lime juice and 2 tablespoons for rim garnish (we prefer freshly squeezed)

1/2 part Grand Marnier (or Cointreau)

Ice

Combine all ingredients in a shaker, and pour into prepared glasses (see below).

Dip glass rims into reserved lime juice and then into sugar garnish.

Garnish

~ 1-2 tablespoons superfine sugar mixed with finely grated orange or lime zest to taste (recommend a 3:1 ratio of salt to other ingredients)

~ lime or orange wedges

Cocktail Trend ~ 3 Tequilas to Sip & Savor

A lesson in tequila courtesy of Joe Jack's Fish Shack in (Viejo) Puerto Vallarta ~ don't miss the opportunity to enjoy some of the freshest seafood in town while there...

Tequila, it turns out, can be as sophisticated as single-malt Scotch or the finest boutique Bourbon.  Too many of us only experience tequila in margaritas (though not a bad introduction) or one-too-many single shots (when the brand or quality only matters for the 1st round..).  Thanks to the well-informed team at Joe Jack's Fish Shack, we learned to appreciate the trend to honor Tequila as a more complex and worldly libation.

Need some further details & context for Tequila?  Los Cabos Magazine's Tequila - A Bit of History is a worthwhile read...

Back to our tasting lesson results, here are three new "amigos" that we sipped and savored ~ each one is 100% agave but differ greatly in taste and style.  As you read our notes, consider whether tequila might play a key role in the bar basics for your next gathering.

Bar Basics ~ Creating Your Signature Cocktail

To enhance an entertaining occasion, consider introducing a signature cocktail. Whether this drink is your “house specialty” or something tied to the theme of your event or menu, signature cocktails can hallmark your gathering at the get-go.

Want to be creative?  Think color, country of origin, what might complement the food, and/or the ability to go non-alcoholic ~ these guidelines help to channel your cocktail creativity into results just right for your event. 

Looking for a place to start?  Here’s our starter list of classic libations we consider perfect options for a "signature" cocktail for your next gathering.  Easy to make ~ definitely easy to drink ~ we think these are classic cocktail fun.  Consider tweaking these to your own tastes and preferences with specific brands, varying juices, unique garnishes, or whatever your style might dictate!  And, if a Mocktail is more appropriate to your gathering, don’t miss Mocktail Mondays with our favorite Intoxicologist for creative non-alcoholic options.

• Bellini - 1 oz. pureed peaches, 1/4 tsp fresh squeezed lemon juice, sparkling wine or champagne.  Pour puree and lemon juice in bottom of flute. Add sparkling wine to taste. Stir and garnish with a peach slice.
• Cosmopolitan (traditional) ~ 3 parts Vodka, ½ part Triple Sec, ½ part fresh squeezed lemon juice, 1 part Raspberry-infused sugar syrup. Combine in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake, strain and serve in a martini glass.  Try variations on this classic from The Intoxicologist… 
• Kir - Dry White Wine in a wine glass.  Add 1/4 oz. Cassis (for Royale) or Framboise (for Imperiale). Garnish with a lemon peel. 
• Kir Royale/Imperiale - Champagne or sparking wine in a flute, add 1/4 oz. Cassis (for Royale) or Framboise (for Imperiale). Garnish with a lemon peel.
• Long Island Ice Tea - ½ oz. Gin, ½ oz. Vodka, ½ oz. Rum, ½ oz Triple Sec, 3 oz. sweet & sour mix.  Add ingredients in the order listed over a tall glass of ice.  Top off with cola to taste. Garnish with a lemon slice.
• Manhattan - 1.5 parts top quality Bourbon, .5 parts Sweet Vermouth, 1 tsp maraschino cherry juice, cherries to garnish. Fill shaker w/ice add liquid ingredients. Shake, strain, and serve. Garnish with a cherry.
• Martini – (vodka or gin ~ dry or dirty ~ fruit flavored, coffee/chocolate enhanced...) for the basics, start with excellent vodka or gin, Dry Vermouth, and add either lemon twists, wedges, olives (blue cheese, or...).  Be sure to take note of how “dry” your guests prefer their martinis…
• Margarita - 2 oz. excellent tequila, 1 oz Grand Marnier, 1 oz fresh lime juice. Combine ingredients in shaker over ice - or blend. Garnish with a salt rim and lime wedge.
• Mojito - 2 oz. Light Rum, 1 oz. fresh squeezed lime juice, 1 oz. simple syrup, 8-10 mint leaves, Club Soda.  Add a mint sprig garnish.
• Old Fashioned - fill glass with ice, stir in favorite scotch whisky for several minutes. Add a dash of bitters, sugar. Stir again, and then serve.
• Negroni - 1 oz. Gin, 1 oz. Campari, 1 oz. Sweet Vermouth, orange twist for garnish. Fill glass with ice. Add liquid ingredients. Garnish with orange twist.
• Screwdriver – 2 parts Vodka, 4-5 parts fresh citrus juice (try other citrus blends such as tangerine if you’re in the mood!). Fill glass with ice. Add liquid ingredients. Garnish with citrus.
• Tequila Sunrise - 1 ½ oz. Tequila, 4-5 oz. fresh orange juice, grenadine, orange twist for garnish. Fill glass with ice. Add tequila and juice, top with grenadine to taste. Garnish with orange twist.

A closing savvy tip ~ we rely on these savvy sources not only for the cocktail recipes above but for all of our Bar Basics 411!!

The Intoxicologist

Food Network – Cocktails 

Epicurious – Drink Recipes

Cheers!

Signature Cocktails & Campari

To enhance a dinner gathering, cocktail party or any other event, we like the idea of introducing a "signature cocktail". Whether this is your house specialty or something tied to the theme of your event, signature cocktails can be a great way to emphasize the occasion.

For a recent late summer dinner, we wanted to offer a refreshing aperitif when the 12-14 guests arrived from afternoon golf. Not having a professional bartender in our house (though a few may pretend), we rely on Instant Bartender for the recipe for just about any cocktail, shot, punch, or frozen drink you might want as a signature cocktail.

The crowd - and in particular the host - liked Campari (not everyone does ;-). Campari, a type of bitters, is an alcoholic aperitif (alcohol varies from 20.5% to 28% depending on where it's purchased country) obtained from the infusion of bitter herbs, aromatic plants and fruit in alcohol and water. Another favorite go-to resource for libation inspiration is The Intoxicologist, who's recent post "Escape to the Italian Seaside with Campari Summer Cocktails" offers the quintessential discussion of the merits of drinking Campari.

With Campari as the lead in our signature cocktail effort, we took a look on Instant Bartender, and found inspiration for our signature drink.

Goodnight Kiss (courtesy of Instant Bartender)
4 oz. Champagne (Prosecco or Cava are easy on the budget and work just as well).
1 splash Campari
1 cube sugar (we opted to use Agave Nectar instead)
1 drop Angostura bitters
Orange twist (optional)

Put one drop of Angostura Bitter on sugar cube and drop in flute. Add champagne and splash of Campari.

The slight effervescence - coupled with the deep red of the Campari - made for a perfect complement to the sunset welcome. We added an orange twist for a bit of citrus and color.

Of course, we looked to savvyhostmarket for an interesting approach to serving this signature cocktail in the informal, al fresco environment. We chose to forego traditional champagne flutes - too delicate for this occasion - and opted instead to use the Salzburg Aperitif Glasses in frosty White . An elegant combination that played up the colorful Campari.

To select a signature cocktail for your next party, think color - cuisine - culture - and the theme or context for the gathering to help you choose. And don't forget your friendly Instant Bartender is only a click away with inspiration...