The Intoxicologist

Happy Hour martinis take many forms.  In times past the martini meant vodka or gin served straight up in a martini glass with possibly an olive or two bouncing happily to dirty the spirit.  This is no longer the case with bars serving alternate forms of cocktails with the word martini in the mix.  It causes lively debate over what constitutes a true ‘martini’ but what it boils down to for the majority of bar patrons is all in the taste.  The Alternating Kurrant Martini plays out simply sweet with just a touch of raspberry hinting through in the initial taste.  This cocktail flavors subtly with dry vermouth shadowing any harsh edges straight liquor sometimes brings to the taste experience.

Alternating Kurrant Martini – Purple Martini, Denver

3 ounces Absolut Kurrant Vodka

Splash Chambord

Splash Dry Vermouth

Lemon Twist Garnish

Combine liquid ingredients in mixing glass with ice.  Stir to chill completely.  Strain into chilled martini glass.  Garnish with fresh lemon twist.

Notation: Since this cocktail contains straight spirits and the idea is full enjoyment of a thoroughly chilled cocktail my recommendation when making this at home is as follows: half the recipe to 1-1/2 ounces Absolut Kurrant, 1/4 ounce Chambord and 1/4 ounce Noilly Prat Dry Vermouth.  This keeps the martini smaller but chilled throughout the entire sipping time for a more fulfilling experience.  Think measure, stir, strain, enjoy, repeat rather than gulping.  This keeps a cocktail at its ultimate pleasure point while sipping.

The Alternating Kurrant Martini recipe can be found in The Martini Companion by Gary Regan and Mardee Haidin Regan.  More Absolut Vodka drinks of interest include the South Slope Sour and Spiked Core with Absolut Brooklyn, the lower calorie Ruby Weekdays long drink, Berrily a Mojito with Absolut Berri Acai and three more recipes found in the press release.  Don’t forget the Absolut Boston flavor with black tea and elderflower infusion: Monumentally Raspberry Boston, Boston Apricot Sidecar and Boston Girlfriend with three more brand recipes included in the official press release.

Find The Intoxicologist on Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon or Email: str8upcocktails@gmail.com

www.discus.org – Distilled Spirits Council of the United States

Copyright 2010 Cheri Loughlin – The Intoxicologist – All Rights Reserved

All opinions, reviews and spirits’ coverage contained within are the personal opinion and decision of Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist.

“Le Baiser de Noilly” is a cocktail inspired by the summer’s anticipated movie, “Cheri”, adapted from the 1920 Colette novel sharing the same name.  Michelle Pfeiffer stars in the movie which premiered Friday, June 26. 

History of this inspired cocktail: Colette led a brazen lifestyle; specifically she virtually caused a riot by a kiss shared onstage with her female lover in 1907 during a performance at the Moulin Rouge.  Noilly Prat created Le Baiser de Noilly (meaning ‘the kiss’) expressly for the film.  As tribute to this shared kiss, Le Baiser de Noilly personifies romance, femininity and fantasy. 

Le Baiser de Noilly romances the palate with its rosy hue, pink grapefruit zest and citrus aroma.  The crisp, refreshing zing creates the perfect cocktail recipe for outdoor summer sipping.  It’s sexy appeal and extraordinary legend transcends the silver screen weaving an aura of sophistication and panache.

Le Baiser de Noilly

1-1/4 ounce Noilly Prat

1/4 ounce Bombay Sapphire

3/4 ounce Fresh pineapple juice

1/4 ounce Grenadine (Pomegranate syrup)

Pink grapefruit twist

1 fresh Raspberry

Garnish: Fresh raspberry floated and pink grapefruit zest to sprinkled on the top (the oil must be absorbed by the foam) and around the rim of the glass.

Method: Pour Noilly Prat and all other ingredients into the shaker. Shake and double strain into the glass. Place a pink grapefruit peel over the glass and rub it on the rim. Float the raspberry.

Noilly Prat French Vermouth and Bombay Sapphire Gin are both proud sponsors of Tales of the Cocktail 2009 (TOTC09).  TOTC gathers internationally recognized brands together for information, education, cocktails, culture, cuisine and inspiration.  This is five days of celebration of the artistry of the drink.  Noilly Prat sponsors a seminar Thursday, July 9, titled Vermouth & Aperitif Wine.  This particular seminar focuses on the history, production and drink applications for vermouth and aperitifs.  There really is so much more to do with this beautiful aperitif than wash a martini glass and pitch it away.  Bombay Sapphire sponsors Creative Mixology: Finding Inspiration in the Everyday.  This seminar should prove challenging and fascinating as it places presentation and design into the hands of seminar participants giving insight into the creative process.  Where do original creations come from?  Where do mixologists come up with fabulous ideas for cocktails?  Find out at Tales of the Cocktail!

Keep up with what is happening pre-event, during and after Tales of the Cocktail by following along on Twitter at @7thAnnualTOC.  Follow the #TOTC09 hashtag.   

Copyright 2009 Cheri Loughlin – The Intoxicologist – All Rights Reserved