I tried. This week I really tried to embrace ‘Wordless Wednesday’. I decided the subject I’d be artfully conveying ‘sans dialog’ after visiting a fab restaurant in Denver last weekend, Kevin Taylor’s Prima Restorante. I was served the most festive cocktail garnish ever! Now that I talk to any employee of a restaurant about the source of their food, my moxie about the source of this whimsical piggy-tail swirl of lemon was not to be squelched.
I was so glad I asked! Our friendly barkeep was more than willing to walk me through every step as though we were being filmed by the Food Network. Mouth-agape, fellow bar patron, Lynn, and I locked eyes and both agreed this find was worth the price of admission.
In the spirit of Wordless Wednesday I’ll rely more on this pictorial but since it leaves me feeling like Marcel Marceau with duct tape on my mouth or like I’m initiating a somewhat painful game of charades potentially against your will, there will be words. Far worse than not playing along for Wordless Wednesday to me is that you walk away from this read without the know how to make this fabulous garnish OR this cocktail (shudder).
Pomegranate Martinis
Beautiful flavor of pomegranate make these martinis a favorite.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cup Pomegranate Juice
- 2 ounces Citrus-flavored Vodka
- 1 ounce Cointreau liqueur
- 1 cup Crushed Ice
- Optional: Sparkling water (can add a splash if you wish; personally, I like my antioxidants straight up)
Instructions
- Add the pomegranate juice, vodka, Cointreau and crushed ice into a shaker. Shake vigorously, strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Optional: add a splash of sparkling water. Garnish with a Lemon Spiral.
I personally use unsweetened pomegranate juice (‘Just Pomegranate’ by R. W. Knudsen) for this cocktail. I also used a small batch Meyer Lemon flavored Vodka by Charbay. I feel like cocktails need to be easy and effortless; like we imagine it was for all the ‘Cats’ in the ‘60’s at their groovy cocktail parties. Use what you have, what you like, what you can afford.
To make me feel extra close to being chosen as Tom Cruise’s stand in were a sequel to Cocktail ever to be filmed I found some ‘Pomegranate Rimmer’ which is a mix of tart pomegranate and sugar to give your glass that special holiday Carrie Bradshaw’ness that makes us all feel far cooler than we surely are.
Take a quarter of a lime, make a small slit in the middle of it and run it around the rim of the glass (the depth of the slit and the depth of the rimming mixture will determine how thick it is on the glass rim).
Put glass rim in rimming mixture, twist slightly back and forth until evenly coating the rim of the glass.
Sarah says
I love pomegranate martinis. I’m going to make these often.
Barbara | Creative Culinary says
I would like one of these now please. I actually have them on my list to make; have the sugar and everything but that lemon trick…nice, very nice.
Loren says
Cocktail and garnish both look great. I like that you asked the bartender and he shared his techniques. I'm also glad you shared them with us.
Loren
Island Vittles says
I, like everyone else, love the lemon spirals! Great tip…Theresa
Sara says
That is one fine looking garnish.
From one Colorado food gal to another, I like your style. Can't wait to come back for more.
Anonymous says
This is the best blog ever! I love making cocktails so keep these coming.
foodies at home says
That looks like my kind of cocktail! I especially love the lemon curls! Your definitely spreading the Holiday cheer with this one!
Cardamom Hills says
the cocktail in here looks great! N toni, thank you sooo much for that lovely award!! I was literally jumping with joy wen I got back after the trip and saw it….it was so sweet of u!
Susan says
Oh my! A lovely little cocktail for the season! Love the piggy tail lemon trick! The things you learn when you get around town … !
Boulder Locavore says
Welcome Anne! I'm delighted you stopped by! The martini is fabulous but don't you love the lemon 'twist'? It could be used for so many things now that we all know the secret of making it!
Boulder Locavore says
Thanks Thoma (kitchenmorph)! So pretty they are. Sorry to be outpacing your reading with my posting! That's what is great about blogs though, you can catch up when you have time!
Hi Lea Ann! Welcome and thanks for coming over. Do stay tuned and check out the archives for local farms and businesses you might be interested in. Also did a review of KT Pallette's and the King Tut exhibit in November. This KT restaurant is across from the DCPA complex, still upscale with incredible food and drink but is a smidge less formal than some of the other restaurants (higher end than Pallettes though). Definitely a fun visit.
Lea Ann says
I'm loving this lemon tip! Great stuff. I just found your blog by visiting Dennis. I'm in Highlands Ranch and look forward to your posts and the kinship of Front Range Food. The only Kevin Taylor experience I've ever had is at the Denver Art Museum. Palettes Restaurant. Absolutely WONderful food.
kitchenmorph says
you are blogging too fast! i cannae keep up. i haven't read this post or the past couple. but quickly dropped in to give u tht link. OMG u can only drool luking at those. wht goodies there! do check out. she's top 9 foodbuzz today.
Beach House Living says
Ut oh, I don't know where my comment went. It was something along the lines of how festive this cocktail looks.
anniebakes says
I just found you over at Chef Dennis's and can't wait to look around! Love that martini-I am a martini girl afterall and I'm your newest follower!!
anne
http://www.anniebakes.net