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Cranberry Limoncello Martini

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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….

 

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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?!?!?

 

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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?!?!!

 

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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.

 

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I  totally hijacked their Cranberry Limoncello Martini.  So sue me.

 

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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!

 

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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

  1. In a small pot, combine cranberries and sugar, add enough water to cover by about 1/2 inch
  2. Bring to a boil
  3. Boil until cranberries pop, smashing with the back of a spoon and gets thick and syrupy - 7 - 10 minutes
  4. Set aside until cool
  5. Transfer to bowl of a food processor or blender and puree until smooth

For the Cranberry Limoncello Martini

  1. Add cranberry puree, Limoncello, and Ciroc Berry to a cocktail shaker filled with ice
  2. Shake virogously, pour into a martini glass, garnish with lemon twist and two cranberries on a toothpick
  3. Optional - prior to filling glass, dip edge of glass in water then sugar

Patio Passion Martini Knockoff

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Good morning, sunshine!  I say we start this week off on the right track with a martini for breakfast on this fine Monday. Who’s with me?

 

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There is a place in Charlotte called Dillworth Neighborhood Grill that used to be a go-to hang out for lunch and happy hour back in the day when I was an Assistant Public Defender. Just to be clear – lunch and happy hour usually happened at different times. 🙂 Usually.

 

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If you remember Happy Days and the Fonz, it was our version of Arnold’s.  Except we weren’t in high school and I didn’t have any friends named Potsie – even if we do share the same last name.

 

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What in tarnation does this all have to do with this pink martini, you ask?

 

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The Patio Passion was a signature drink at DNG that was my best friend at the end of a trial week.  Because when you have to explain to a jury that the smack in your client’s pants is not his and he should be found not guilty because of the not my pants defense…..

 

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You will need the Patio Passion Martini in your life.

 

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I hope you never experience either side of this story, but if you do, I have your remedy. Crappy trial weeks led me to recreate the DNG Patio Passion Martini.

 

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Cheers to a great week!  If it sucks,  you can always have the Patio Passion Martini!

 

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Patio Passion Martini Knockoff

Ingredients

  • 1.5 ounces Triple Sec
  • 3 ounces citrus vodka
  • 3 ounces pink lemonade
  • lemon to garnish

Instructions

  1. Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake and pour into a martini glass. Garnish with lemon slice.
  2. This will make enough for one average size martini glass with a small side car.