No matter how you like it – shaken or stirred - celebrate National Martini Day in style

Today is the perfect day to treat yourself to this classic cocktail. James Bond prefers his "shaken, not stirred" ...but no matter how you take it, pour yourself a martini and sit back and relax.

Try one of 10 recipes!

Melon and Cucumber Martini

2 ounces melon vodka
½ ounce simple syrup
Fresh cucumber, sliced

Muddle cucumber slices over ice in a mixing bowl. Combine the cucumber, vodka and simple syrup into an ice-filled cocktail shaker and shake vigorously. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with cucumber slices.

Limontini

3 ounces vodka
Splash of Limoncello Italian liqueur
Lemon and lime twists for garnish
Candied lemon wedge for garnish
Coarse sugar to coat rim

Place cocktail glass in freezer and chill for 5 minutes. Pour a splash of Limoncello into frozen martini glass and swirl until coated and throw away any excess. Combine vodka with ice in a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously. Strain into sugar-coated glass and garnish with lemon twist and candied lemon slice.

Blueberry Martini

4 ounces vodka
1 ounce blueberry liqueur
1 part water
Simple syrup to taste (for sweetness)
Blueberries for garnish

Combine ingredients in ice-filled cocktail shaker and shake vigorously. Strained into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with fresh blueberries.

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Blushing Lady

1 ounce pomegranate liqueur
2 ounces vodka
1 ounce ruby red grapefruit juice
Lemon twist for garnish

Place cocktail glass in freezer and chill for 5 minutes. Combine pomegranate liqueur, vodka and grapefruit juice in ice-filled cocktail shaker and shake vigorously for 30 seconds. Strain into chilled glass and garnish with lemon twist.

Vesper Martini
(courtesy of Martini Grill, Wood-Ridge)

From Casino Royale 

3 ounces London dry gin 
1 ounce vodka 
1/2 ounce Lillet Blanc 

Shake with ice until chilled, and serve with a thin slice of lemon peel “in a deep champagne goblet” because as Bond says in the novel: "I never have more than one drink before dinner. But I do like that one to be large and very strong and very cold and very well-made.” 

Cupid’s Martini

1¼ ounces vodka
¼ ounce triple sec
1 ounce cranberry juice

Combine in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake and pour.

Polar Cocktail
(courtesy of Ho-Ho-Kus Inn and Tavern, Ho-Ho-Kus)

1 ounce gin 
1 ounce maraschino liqueur 
Juice of 1/2 lemon 
1 egg white 

Vigorously shake all ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Strain into a frozen cocktail glass. 

Espresso Martini
(courtesy of Locale Bar & Cafe, Closter)

3 ounces Van Gogh Espresso Vodka (espresso flavored)
1 ounce Kahlua
1 ounce Bailey's Irish Cream
1 shot of espresso
Espresso beans

Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker and shake. Pour into martini glass and top with espresso beans.

Frostini
(courtesy of Ho-Ho-Kus Inn and Tavern, Ho-Ho-Kus)

1 ounce vodka 
1 ounce Irish cream 
1 ounce Godiva, white or dark chocolate liqueur 
1 splash cream 

Frost martini glass with sugar, add ingredients and mix.

Chocolate Martini
(courtesy of Locale Bar & Cafe, Closter)

3 ounces ChocoVine
1 ounce Pinnacle Whipped Vodka
1 ounce Godiva White
Chocolate Liqueur
A touch of Bailey's Irish Cream
Chocolate syrup

Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker and shake. Coat martini glass with chocolate syrup and add drink.

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