English Rose

An English Rose is a delightful variation of the classic Martini. It's sweeter, using Apricot Brandy, grenadine and lemon for flavor but it is still a great before dinner drink.

Prep time: 3 minutes
Yield: 1 drink

Ingredients:
2 ounces Gin
1 ounce Dry Vermouth
1 ounce Apricot Brandy
1/2 ounce Lemon Juice
1 tsp. Grenadine
Maraschino Cherry for garnish.

Directions:
Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice cubes.
Shake well.
Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Garnish with the maraschino cherry.

There are a few drinks like the Paradise, Thanksgiving Cocktail and La Habana that also pair gin with apricot brandy, which is a fantastic combination.

Happy St. George's Day!

How to flame an orange peel

Sometimes this comes up in a drink recipe:

FLAMING AN ORANGE PEEL

The fruit should be firm and fresh to insure there is enough oil present in the skin. To flame the oil, hold a lit match in one hand, and pick up the twist in the other very carefully like holding an egg shell, if you squeeze the twist prematurely the oil will be expelled. Hold the twist by the side not the ends, between thumb and forefinger, skin side down, about four inches above the drink. Don't squeeze or you'll lose all the oil before you flame. Hold the match between the drink and the twist, closer to the twist. Snap the twist sharply, propelling the oil through the lit match and onto the surface of the drink. (Be sure to hold twist far enough from the drink to avoid getting a smoky film on the glass.)

http://www.kingcocktail.com/Flaming.htm

Planetary Punch

April 22nd is officially Earth Day. Here is a cocktail called Planetary Punch:

Planetary Punch © 360 Vodka

1/4 ounces 360 Vodka

3/4 ounce melon liqueur

1/2 ounce peach puree or daiquiri mix

1 ounce orange juice

1 ounce pineapple juice

Maraschino cherry for garnish

 

Preparation:

1. Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
2. Shake well.
3. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
4. Drop a cherry into the glass for a garnish.

Recipe Courtesy: 360 Vodka

The Blue Bunny Cocktail

1 1/2 ounces Vodka
1/2 ounce Triple Sec
1/4 ounce Blue Curacao
Flamed orange peel for garnish

Shake ingredients well.
Strain into a chilled martini glass.
Flame the orange peel over the glass.
Happy Easter!

April Rain

(FoodEnquirer)
2 oz. Vodka
1 oz. Lime Juice
1/2 oz. Vermouth
Lime peel
Ice

Pour vodka, vermouth and lime juice into shaker over ice.  Strain into chilled cocktail (martini) glass.  Garnish with lime peel (zest).