Planning to entertain at home over the holidays? Treat your guests to these showstopper cocktails that are surprisingly easy to shake up
Cranberry Martini
2 drinks
2tbsp dried cranberries
1 lemon wedge
60ml vodka
30ml Grand Marnier
60ml 100% cranberry juice
30ml lemon juice
2tsp simple syrup
Place the cranberries and 2 tablespoons of water in a small bowl, cover and microwave for 30 seconds. Set aside until completely cool, about 15 minutes. Meanwhile to frost the 2 martini glasses, smooth an even layer of sugar on a plate and cut a notch in a lemon wedge. Run the lemon wedge around the rim of the glass and then tilt the glass and roll its outer rim in the sugar. The goal here is to only get the sugar on the outside of the glass so none of it drops into the drink itself.
Combine all of the remaining ingredients in a large cocktail shaker with a handful of ice. Put the lid on and shake for a full 30 seconds. Strain the drink into the prepared martini glasses, adding a tablespoon of the cranberries to each. Serve ice cold.
Peppermint Martini
2 drinks
60ml Crème de Menthe
30ml vodka
90ml Crème de Cacao
90ml heavy cream
Peppermint candies and grenadine for rim
To frost the 2 martini glasses: crush the peppermint candies and place them in an even layer on a plate. On another plate, put a small pool of grenadine (or water). Run the rim of a martini glass in the grenadine, rotating the glass so the rim is evenly coated.
Then roll the rim in the crushed candies until evenly coated. Combine all of the remaining ingredients in a large cocktail shaker with a handful of ice. Put the lid on and shake for a full 30 seconds. Strain the drink into the prepared martini glasses. Serve ice cold.
