Cheers, y’all! I know I said to come back Thursday for a cocktail (really it’s a Cranberry Limoncello Martini!) and holiday toast, but I got to thinking – and according to Chris, me getting to thinking is always dangerous….
My point is that if I’m going to share a cocktail (Cranberry Limoncello Martini!!!) for New Year’s Eve, shouldn’t you have enough time to prepare for it and get it ready? So, I made an executive decision. This is my website after all, so I can do whatever I want! This is totally my sandbox!
Here’s the deal. I changed my posting plans and moved things up from Thursday to Wednesday. So sue me. I know it’s early, but it’s just all the earlier we can start drinking, so who’s with me?!?!?
At least now you have time to make this martini. No joke. It’s fantastic. Chris and I went out for a romantic dinner for two at Luciano’s Ristorante Italiano in Charlotte on Christmas Eve and Chris ordered one of the drink specials. It was a Cranberry Limencello Martini. Whaaat?!?!!
We LOVE Luciano’s in Charlotte’s Southend neighborhood. We found it by accident a couple of years ago and keep going back.
FULL DISCLOSURE: Luciano’s Ristorante Italiano is not sponsoring this post. We just love this place.
I totally hijacked their Cranberry Limoncello Martini. So sue me.
Seriously, y’all, this is my last post of 2015. I sincerely wish each and every one of you a Happy New Year. Have a blast during what remains of the holiday season. I wish you all so much happiness and send you a big CHEERS for a fantastic 2016!
INSPIRED BY LUCIANO’S RISTORANTE ITALIANO!
Cranberry Limoncello Martini
Ingredients
For the Martini
- 2 ounces Ciroc Berry
- 2 ounces Limoncello
- 4 teaspoons fresh cranberry puree recipe below
- lemon twist and fresh cranberries for garnish
- Sugar for rim optional
Fresh Cranberry Puree
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- 1/2 cup sugar
- Water
Instructions
Fresh Cranberry Puree
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In a small pot, combine cranberries and sugar, add enough water to cover by about 1/2 inch
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Bring to a boil
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Boil until cranberries pop, smashing with the back of a spoon and gets thick and syrupy - 7 - 10 minutes
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Set aside until cool
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Transfer to bowl of a food processor or blender and puree until smooth
For the Cranberry Limoncello Martini
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Add cranberry puree, Limoncello, and Ciroc Berry to a cocktail shaker filled with ice
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Shake virogously, pour into a martini glass, garnish with lemon twist and two cranberries on a toothpick
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Optional - prior to filling glass, dip edge of glass in water then sugar
I’m kinda craving this martini and it’s only 7am! 🙂 What a perfect drink for New Year’s, Rachelle! Love the limoncello in here!
Haha…I follow Chris’ logic here! You gots to have time to make this delicious cocktail. I can’t exactly print out a picture of this martini and just look at it on New Year’s Eve, can I? This sounds delicious, and I hope you and Chris have an excellent New Year’s Eve!
Yeah I’ll take a cranberry limoncello martini and I’m gonna start drinking them today so I’ll be ready on NYE! Woohooo! Very glad you ripped off Luciano’s drink and made this recipe. Wow, very fancy with the cranberry puree too! Happy New Year to you and Chris. xoxo
LOL! I love the lawyer telling people to “sue me” twice in one post. 🙂 This is my kind of martini. Thanks for posting it early because I think this is what I’m going to make as our signature drink on NYE. Happy New Year, Rachelle!
Well, thank God for Luciano’s, because this martini looks all sorts of delish, Rachelle! LOVE the cranberry and limoncello combo! And that color though – tickles me pink! Glad you posted this early so I can run to the liquor store and stock up on supplies! I hope you and the hubster have a WONDERFUL New Year, my dear! Cheers and hugs! xoxo
This is a great drink for New Year’s Eve. I like a little bit of a tart edge in my beverages, so I think I’d definitely like the cranberry in there. I want one right now!
This looks perfect for the festivities tomorrow! Happy New Year!
This delicious martini is a perfect way to ring in the New Year! Looks amazing!
Yum! This looks like my kind of drink! It can definitely enjoy one too many of these. Wishing you a happy, healthy New Year, Rachelle!
Okay, so I almost never crave beverages, but I looked at your photo here first thing in the morning and desperately wanted one. So it’s going to have to happen! And my son also thinks it’s pretty, but I told him he can’t have it yet. 😉
Happy new year, Rachelle!
I love cranberrys for tartness – this sounds like the perfect way to bring in New Year’s Eve!
Cranberry and lemon are always a favorite in my book!This martini looks super yummy! Happy New Year!
Happy New Year! I hope you had a great one and here is to an even better 2016!
I am trying to have a big of a booze break, but I could do with one of these now and it’s only 8am haha.
What a great combination of flavors. I have a friend who gives me homemade limoncello every Christmas. I know what I’m going to do with it this year!
Homemade limoncello? You are one lucky dude!