Blushing Martini Food

BLUSHING LADY

Steps:

• Rub the lemon wedge around the rim of a martini glass. Dip the glass in a coarse sugar to rim.
• Pour the remaining ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice.
• Shake and strain into glass.

FENNEL MARTINI

Steps:

• Add the fennel vodka, orange juice and bitters to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Place the top on the shaker and shake for 1 minute. Strain into a chilled coupe. Serve garnished with a fennel frond floating on top.
• In a Mason jar, combine the vodka, fennel seeds and fennel tops. Cover and refrigerate for 1 week. Strain, then store in the refrigerator.

BLUSHING SANGRIA

Steps:

• Cook's Note: Canned fruit cocktail can be substituted for the fresh fruit
• Add the grapes, nectarines and orange to a large pitcher. Pour in the brandy, wine and sparkling water. Mix well, then refrigerate for at least 1 hour. When you are ready to serve, fill glasses with ice, if desired, and pour in the sangria. Spoon some of the fruit into the each glass and serve

BLUSHING MIMOSAS

Steps:

• Combine the raspberries, sugar and 3/4 cup water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, until the raspberries begin to fall apart and the sugar dissolves, about 5 minutes. Strain the liquid through a wire-mesh strainer into a glass measuring cup, pressing the solids to release the juices. Discard the solids and let the simple syrup cool completely.
• To serve, pour 2 tablespoons simple syrup in the bottom of each of 8 champagne flutes. Top with 1/3 cup grapefruit juice and about 1/3 cup sparkling rose. Top each with about 1 tablespoon vodka and garnish with raspberries and grapefruit slices.

BOSTON POPS MARTINI

Steps:

• Start with a chilled cocktail glass and rub the rim with a lime wedge (or dip rim in lime juice such as Rose's). Open a pack of cherry flavored Pop Rocks candy and spread on a small plate or napkin. Press rim of the glass into the candy to coat rim.
• In a shaker filled with ice, add cranberry vodka, shake and strain into prepared glass. Slowly and carefully pour Blue Curacao in the middle of the glass, allowing it to settle in the glass. You should have two distinct layers. Add a small splash of lemon/lime soda.