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25
Aug
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Blackberry Pear Flirtini and Monthly Mingle |
Several months ago, I enjoyed a delicious martini at one of our favorite local restaurants, The Struck. Their ever-changing list of seasonal libations has something for everyone, and for me this time it was a blackberry pear martini. It was sweet and refreshing, and though I don’t normally choose to eat pears, I really enjoyed the flavor complimented by tart blackberries in this drink. I wanted to recreate this at home for a dinner party, so I picked up some Absolute Pear and blackberry brandy. My first stab at it was a 1:1 ratio of the two – holy shot! At this point I realized I needed a mixer of some sort. I made some blackberry syrup (16oz bag of frozen blackberries, 1/3 cup of sugar, and a squeeze of lemon juice cooked on the stove until the sugar dissolved; cooled, pureed, and strained.) I discussed the idea with my friend and go-to-mixologist, Vanessa, who was going to be coming over for dinner. She had some ideas of her own and insisted on playing bartender. She showed up with a can of pear nectar and on other special surprise for the end. I can’t tell you the exact proportions Vanessa combined, after all, a bartender must keep her secrets, right? Actually, she doesn’t really know either. She basically kept adjusting the mix and tasting until it was perfect. I will say that she prepared a pitcher of this stuff, using about half the (small-ish) bottle of pear vodka, a few splashes of the blackberry brandy, the can of pear nectar, blackberry syrup to taste, and a few wedges of lime. She stirred it up with ice and poured into chilled glasses, topping each with a finishing touch: a splash of bubbly! That champagne floater is precisely the reason why I am calling this special drink a flirtini.
I’m submitting this beverage to the Monthly Mingle Event hosted by What’s for Lunch Honey. How clever and fun to have a summer blogging event dedicated to drinks!
I'm Cara, lover of creative, clean food and healthy living. Pumpkin, goat cheese, and eggplant make me swoon. I have an insatiable sweet tooth and desire to lift heavy things. 
Sarah — August 25, 2007 @ 10:15 pm
I am a new reader of your blog…I am in love with how this drink sounds! I need to play around with it because it sounds delish 🙂
Carrie — August 25, 2007 @ 10:22 pm
Yum!
Erika — August 26, 2007 @ 4:52 am
Ooooh, now that sounds yummy! I’ll never buy all those ingredients, but I may ask a local bartender I know to imitate this!
Joelen — September 9, 2007 @ 4:34 am
That’s definitely something I’ll drink to!
Meeta — September 14, 2007 @ 6:02 am
WOW! What a unique combination. Love the idea!
Joelen — April 5, 2011 @ 1:25 am
That's definitely something I'll drink to!
Erika — April 5, 2011 @ 1:25 am
Ooooh, now that sounds yummy! I'll never buy all those ingredients, but I may ask a local bartender I know to imitate this!