Friday, September 14, 2007

The Blind Kamikaze Martini ~ September 12, 2007


"Good meat. Good food. Good gosh. Let's eat!" The toast that began the drinking and summed up this week's Martini Night. Due to work obligations, we again moved Martini Night to Wednesday. The Falcone family hosted a special guest, Tara Autrey, who is my co-worker at Goodspeed. (Shout out to Tara! Holllaaa! Sorry, reference to silly mid-afternoon ghetto language.). Fortunely, Matt is over his stomach virus and was able to return to drink martinis with the rest of his family.


The Blind Kamikaze martini was on the menu at Tara's request. While this particular martini tasted great, the alcohol content was a little overbearing and lots of fruit juices and sodas lept from the refridgerator to remedy this drink's kick.

The Blind Kamikaze Martini

2 oz. Bacardi Light Rum
1/2 oz. Peach Schnapps
1/2 oz. Midori
1/2 oz. Chambord

Pour rum, schnapps and liquers into mixing glass. Add ice and stir to chill. Strain into martini glass.

Considering the fact that there is nothing but alcohol in this drink may be how it got it's name. After one martini, you're blind. And you need to be blind to drink this martini because it looks like swamp water, a lovely murky brown green. Perhaps a better name for it would be the Shut Your Eyes, Chug and Fall Over Martini. Whatever that name may imply, everyone was rosy cheeked and happy after a few sips. Of course, our comments were written down before our taste buds were numbed:

Art: Best we've had as far as I'm concerned.

Sharon: I'm not big on this one.

Jordan: I like it.
Sharon: Is that all you're going to say?
Jordan: For now.

Matt: Ummm....well, I'm not on my death bed anymore so I'm gonna get drunk. (But he still added juice and did not come close to finishing his drink. I believe he added both cranberry juice and Diet Pepsi (?) or maybe just juice...I'm not positive. Either way, I can't blame him for not drinking the crazy concoction he created.). Jordan took a sip of his drink and announced that it "tasted like crap". Congratulations go out to Matt for making a good martini bad. ; )

Tara: I'm going to try adding some cranberry juice. Matt said it's better. It's prettier. (Although began to look like swamp water shortly thereafter....weird).

Jon: I think it's good; it's damn strong. It's got good taste.

Megan: It's very strong but the peach taste is good; but that is one God-awful color. Where's the beer bread? I'm starving!

Art (in a bad Russian accent...AGAIN!): You dreenk ze finest vodka een all of Russia!

Jon: Zis is not ze finest vodka een all of Russia!

For dinner, we ate steak, pepper and squash kebobs and Mediterranean Herb Foccacia (which Jonny baked. He's so domesticated...haha!). The dinner was delicious but a little disappointing only because we were supposed to be having pizzas on the grill but that idea was thrown out in favor of meat. (ART!). : )

Of course, no night of drinking with Tara would be complete without her spilling her drink...on her pants, on the porch, on the floor. Jon couldn't help but laugh since Tara is notorious for spilling her drinks everytime we get together. One incident comes to mind involving Lupo, an apple martini and a spill that resulted in martini-dressing for my salad. Her explanation: "It's not even the drunkeness, I'm just clumsy."

While eating dinner, Nate learned how to flirt. He gave Tara "the eye" all through dinner, flashing those baby blues and that charming little smile. Pretty smooth for an 18 month old! At least one of the Falcone men has the moves!Nathan found his Yankee candle again this week, but luckily he forgot where Grandma's drinking glasses are kept.

Overall, this Martini Night was rather calm. Next week, stay tuned for the Key Lime Martini and more of Art's Russian accent.








Thursday, September 6, 2007

Flirtini ~ September 5, 2007



Because of our move, returning to school and overall life insanity, this week Martini Night was moved to Wednesday. Unfortunately, not only was the night changed but we were down one member of the Falcone family. Matt was lucky enough to fall victim to the stomach virus that has plagued Sharon and Jordan which rendered him unable to drink martinis. He decided to return home after attempting to join in the fun.



This week Jordan and I decided to sample the Flirtini. It is a rather complex concoction so luckily the food accompanying the martini was simple. For dinner, we had grilled chicken, grilled squash and zucchini, ciabatta bread and a cucumber, red onion and tomato salad with balsamic vinegrette.

The Flirtini

1½ oz. Vodka
½ oz. Triple sec
½ oz. Cranberry juice
½ oz. Lemon juice
½ tsp. Sugar
1 oz. Champagne

Combine vodka, liqueur, juices and sugar in mixing glass. Add ice and shake. Strain into martini glass and top with champagne. Stir gently. This recipe makes one martini.

The Flirtini was by far the best martini we have had. Everyone enjoyed it and best of all, there was champagne left over to drink afterwards. ;) Now see what all the members of the Falcone family had to say about this tasty bubbly beverage:

Jon: It's good, like a very expensive Mike's Hard Lemonade...the pink kind.

Jordan: I liked it but it does taste like lemonade. It's good because it doesn't need doctoring up.

Megan: Jon, I think you stole Jordan's original comment. Anyway, it was very tasty although it could use less champagne.

Nate: (hides fork under table cover) Uh oh! (drinks milk).
Art: (in a very bad Russian accent) You drink the finest milk in all of Russia! That is not the finest meelk in all of Bahsia! (I don't know, don't ask me. I just observe and write the blog...haha!).

Art: Tasted very much like two snaps, a twist and a kiss. Do you know where that's from?
Megan: (rolls eyes) I have no idea.
Jon: In Living Color!

Sharon: Of the three, this is my favorite but it dries out my mouth.
All: WHAT?!!!!

After the martinis and dinner, we relaxed on the porch where Nathan was happy to entertain us with Yankee candles and toddler babble. Although he is the youngest member of martini night, he is probably the most entertaining. There is nothing like an 18 month old double-fisting Grandma's drinking glasses while running away from Mommy to make for a fun night!

Next week, we will sample the Blind Kamikaze martini and will have a guest. Tara, my co-worker, is joining the Martini Festivus! The fun never ends.....