A Martini Party with a Twist

Martini party ideas, martini recipes and resources guaranteed to leave you stirred, but not shaken.

A Martini Party with a Twist

This Martini Party idea comes with a question for your guests:

What is the Perfect Martini Party Appetizer? Each guest or couple brings to the party what they think is the best "bite-size" complement of a martini. (No worries, I happen to know where you can find appetizer recipes.)

This theme within a theme accomplishes several things:

• It builds anticipation for the party as guests prepare and test appetizers. (Be sure to give your guests plenty of notice.
• It provides built-in conversation and entertainment for the martini party.
• It diplomatically (and brilliantly) enlists the help of friends in party preparations.

Martini Recipes:

Traditional martinis are prepared with gin and vermouth in various proportions, according to taste.

Many prefer to use vodka, though, because it is smoother, has less bite. And the new flavored vodkas put a whole new spin on the taste of a martini.

Experiment to find your perfect martini recipe.

Classic Martini
(2-to-1)
1 1/2 oz. Gin or Vodka
3/4 oz. Dry Vermouth


Dry Martini (The New Classic Martini)
(5-to-1)
1 2/3 oz. Gin or Vodka
1/3 oz. Dry Vermouth


Extra Dry Martini
(8-to-1)
2 oz. Gin or Vodka
1/4 oz. Dry Vermouth


Sweet Martini
1 oz. Gin or Vodka
1 oz. Sweet Vermouth


Medium Martini
1 1/2 oz. Gin or Vodka
1/2 oz. Dry Vermouth
1/2 oz. Sweet Vermouth

Dirty Martini
2 1/2 oz Gin or Vodka
1/2 oz. Extra Dry Vermouth
1 teaspoon juice/brine from the olive jar
Serve with olives


Fino Martini
2 oz. Gin or Vodka
2 teaspoons Fino Sherry
Serve with a twist of lemon


Paisley Martini
2 oz. Gin or Vodka
1/2 oz. Dry Vermouth
1 teaspoon Scotch
Serve over ice with a twist of lemon


Emerald Martini
1 1/2 oz. Gin or Vodka
1/2 oz. Extra Dry Vermouth
Dash of Chartreuse Green Liqueur
Serve with a twist of orange


French Martini
1 1/2 oz. Vodka
1 oz. Black Raspberry Liqueur
1/2 oz. dry vermouth or pineapple juice

"Dessert" Martinis, the new favorites

Vanilla Martini
1 vanilla bean
1/4 ounce vanilla syrup
2 1/2 ounces vanilla vodka
1/4 ounce dry vermouth


Muddle the vanilla bean and syrup in a mixing glass. Add the vodka and vermouth. Shake with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Cherry Martini (Cherritini)
1 ounce cherry vodka
1 ounce cherry schnapps
Splash of 7-Up, Sprite or grapefruit soda
1 cherry


Pour the vodka, schnapps and soda into a shaker with ice and shake well. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Drop a cherry to the bottom of the glass and serve.

Godiva Chocolate Martini (Chocotini)
I think this is the best chocolate martini recipe, chocolaty but not overpoweringly so; it's still a martini.

2 ounces vodka
1 ounce dark crème de cacao
1/2 ounce chocolate liqueur (Godiva is recommended)
1 teaspoon chocolate syrup


Pour all ingredients into a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. If you like, you can serve it with a little chocolate (from a chocolate bar) grated on top or a swirl of chocolate syrup (from a very small nozzle) but it's not necessary.

Tips For Making a Great Martini:

• First, all the ingredients, glasses and shakers should be very cold.
• Use only fresh, cracked ice made from soft or bottled water. (Crushed ice will melt too fast and water down your drink.) Avoid over-shaking for the same reason.
• Use only glass or stainless steel shakers.
• Always measure accurately.

Martini Party Decorations, Accessories:

• Use martini shakers as vases.
• Scatter 'olive' candles and 'martini' candles. You can even make your own martini party candles .
• Serve olives and other snacks in plastic martini glasses.
• Imagine the effect if you painted a red spot on green balloons... stuffed olives! Scatter them on the floor, or for helium balloons, across the ceiling.

So what is the perfect martini party appetizer? I vote for Sherried Stuffed Mushrooms

Liane

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