Take a cue from Bond at your holiday party

17-Dec-2006 • Bond News

James Bond loves his martinis and demands them "shaken, not stirred." His cocktail of choice has become as recognizable as his triple-digit pseudonym - reports The Detroit News.

You'll find Daniel Craig, the sixth and newest face of Bond, enjoying them in "Casino Royale," the latest Bond movie in theaters now.

Sophisticated, sensual and evocative, martinis are retro and hip and have created a new cocktail culture. Today, rum, cognac, tequila, fresh fruit infusions, purees and juices are added to create such drinks as the Appletini, Cosmo Martini and Hawaiian Punch Martini.

When making flavored martinis, fresh ingredients are key, says Kim Haasarud, author of the new "101 Martinis" (Wiley; $15.95). Another secret to good martinis is to make them as cold as possible and serve in frozen martini glasses.

So gather some friends together and raise a toast in celebration of "Casino Royale" -- and all those fabulous martinis Bond popularized.

Here are five martini recipes from "101 Martinis," by Kim Haasarud

Pomegranate Martini
1 1/2 ounces citrus OR orange vodka
1 1/2 ounces pomegranate juice (Pom Wonderful brand)
1 ounce grapefruit juice
1/2 ounce lemon juice
1/2 ounce simple syrup
Splash of Cointreau
Lime twist, for garnish

Combine vodka, pomegranate juice, grapefruit juice, lemon juice, simple syrup and Cointreau in a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a lime twist.

Classic Martini
Strip of lemon peel (optional)
2 1/2 ounces premium gin OR vodka
Splash of vermouth (optional)
3 speared olives (optional)

For a proper lemon twist, rub lemon peel, yellow-side down (not the pith), around the edge of a chilled martini glass. Twist and drop into the glass. Combine the gin or vodka and vermouth in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake and strain into the chilled martini glass. If you didn't use the lemon twist for garnish, then garnish with olives, if desired.

Royale Flush
1 ounce Russian or premium vodka
1/2 ounce Grand Marnier liqueur
2 ounces cranberry juice

Shake vodka, liqueur and cranberry juice well with ice and pour into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a lime twist.

French Martini
1 1/2 ounces premium vodka
1 ounce fresh pineapple juice
3/4 ounce Chambord
Lemon peel, for garnish

Combine vodka, pineapple juice and Chambord in a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with the lemon peel.

Apple Martini
2 ounces apple juice OR apple cider
1 1/2 ounces citrus vodka
1 ounce Berentzen's Apple Liqueur (apple brandy OR apple schnapps can also be used)
1 ounce green apple puree, optional (for a more robust martini)
Splash of lemon juice
Green apple wedge for garnish

Combine apple juice, vodka, apple liqueur, apple puree, if using, and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with an apple wedge.