Shaken & Stirred: Great Summer Drink
One of the easiest and most enjoyable things you can do to up your cocktail game this summer, is follow this simple recipe and your guest will think you’re a trained mixologist
Summertime influenced vodka martinis that are simple yet complex with our secret ingredient. Cucumber, and cucumber herbed infused ice cubes.
The Vodka
AVIV 613 Vodka
This is a true work of art. Distilled in Israel from a lush palette of seven natural ingredients, figs, dates, pomegranates, olives, grapes, wheat and barley. Made with water, which is drawn from the lowest fresh water source in the world, the Sea of Galilee, and the aquifers under Israel. The distiller has made a silky smooth e vodka with medium light body. Clean and crisp with very light aromas of sweet grains, mint or fresh fennel, and a note subtle vanilla. Mild flavors of delicate almond pastry, a touch of herbs and a slight citrus, leading you to a medium/long finish that has a very slight pleasant bite and a note of soft pepper. Great on its own and fantastic in a martini
What else you will need:
3/4 cup water (option can be replaced with freshly squeezed citrus)
1 cucumber (peeled and de-seeded)
1/4 cup torn basil, or ¼ cup pinched fresh dill, or ¼ cup torn cilantro, or mint, a pinch of coarse salt
How to make them: Combine water, cucumber, basil, and salt in a blender and freeze in an ice-cube tray, yep it is that easy. (About 1 to 2 trays)
The Vodka Martini
Now for the classic Vodka martini with a twist:
2 ounces, Aviv vodka
A splash to 1/2 ounce dry vermouth
1 cup cucumber ice cubes, a lemon twist, and garnish with classic olives or try cucumber and basil
How to make it:
Chill martini glass by placing in the freezer. Pour vodka and vermouth into a cocktail shaker filled with cucumber ice cubes shake for at least 30 seconds or 15 seconds rest and another 15 seconds, Strain into the chilled martini glass. Serve straight up (no ice in the glass).Garnish with either a couple of olives a lemon twist, or something like cucumber slice with fresh basil leaves. My preference is three large olives. Makes 1 fantastic classic martini. (Serving for 1, you can double or triple for more) I served this with hummus and fresh cut vegetables
Cheers, The Wine Guys