Ladies Day!!

   This month was my turn to host our Lady's Day - a day to get together with friends and learn something new. Well, I decided that I'd like to learn how to make the perfect martini - so of course, everyone else wants to learn that too, right?

   So, here's my version of the perfect martini cocktail party.

First - select the martini's you want to serve. For each martini there should be a food pairing.

 I decided that we should start with the classic - James Bond type martini - vodka, vermouth - 'nough said.
When you want to learn how to make a perfect cocktail you go to the experts.... right? I went to Esquire - they have a really nice web site full of great drink recipes!

According to Esquire - the key to the perfect martini is quality ingredients and cold... cold... cold! I use Grey Goose Vodka and Noilly Prat Vermouth.  Swirl a little vermouth around your chilled glass, dump it out, add the vodka and an olive or lemon peel. I served this with a baked brie - so easy, so elegant looking, so delicious and gone so fast!!

The second round was a tribute to the 1980's  and Patrick Swayze - whew! We had a Cosmo and paired it with shrimp cocktail - delightful!

1 oz vodka
1/2 oz triple sec
1/2 oz fresh lime juice
1/2 oz cranberry juice

Shake vodka, triple sec, lime and cranberry juice vigorously in a shaker with ice. Strain into a martini glass, garnish with a lime wedge on the rim, and serve.

I had to end with a killer dessert martini right? As a modern tribute to Ryan Gosling... I served an absolutely decadent Espresso Martini with a fruit plate. This was by far the favorite of all the ladies!

1oz Vodka

1oz Espresso

1\2 oz Creme de Cacao

1\2 oz Kahula

The fruit was served with Amaretto Breeze Fruit Dip - not gonna lie, there were spoons involved!

So, have a variety of martini's - there are hundreds to choose from - and pair them with great foods. Also, if you're serving several different martini's, you can get sample size martini glasses at any good party supply store.  There are also tons of great websites that will help you with your food pairings. Round up some great friends and a few supplies and get ready to enjoy the day!