Zakuski Martini Recipes

CLASSIC MARTINI

Steps:

• Shake the olive brine extra cold with large ice in a cocktail shaker. In a chilled Nick and Nora glass, drop in a dash of vermouth and coat the inside of the glass to season it. Strain the olive brine into the glass. Fill with frozen gin of choice. Add 1 olive on a crystal pick and serve.

ZENTINI (GINGER MARTINI)

Steps:

• To a martini shaker add, the vodka, ginger syrup, mint, and lime juice. Shake and serve in a chilled martini glass.
• In a small saucepan add the water, ginger and sugar. Stir to combine and bring to a boil. Continue to heat on a simmer to make a simple syrup, about 20 minutes. When ready, strain and transfer to a glass container and allow to cool to room temperature.

WORLD'S GREATEST MARTINI

Steps:

• Fill cocktail shaker with fresh ice cubes. Add about 1/2 ounce each dry and sweet vermouth. Shake enough to coat ice and pour off liquid. Add eight ounces gin to coated ice in shaker and shake vigorously. Pour into four chilled Martini glasses, garnish with pimiento-stuffed olive and serve.

SAKURA MARTINI

Steps:

• Combine the liquid ingredients in a mixing glass filled with ice and stir until chilled, about 30 seconds. Strain into a chilled coupe. Garnish with a cherry blossom.

ZAKUSKI MARTINI

Steps:

• Muddle cucumber, add the rest.
• Shake with ice and strain to a chilled cocktail glass.

THE BEST CLASSIC ESPRESSO MARTINI YOU'LL EVER SIP RECIPE BY TASTY

Steps:

• Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the vodka, espresso, coffee liqueur, and simple syrup. Secure the lid and shake vigorously for 20 seconds.
• Strain the cocktail into a 6-ounce martini glass and garnish with the espresso beans.
• Enjoy!

ROMANIAN ZACUSCA

Steps:

• Over an open flame (gas stove or grill) completely blacken the skins of the eggplants and peppers.
• Peel skins off immediately. Easiest way to get the last bits off is to do it under a slow running faucet.
• Puree each of the three vegetables separately in a food processor. And place each in a separate bowl when you are finished.
• Place oil and onion in a large pot.
• Saute onions for about 4 minutes over medium-low heat.
• Add eggplant, onion, salt and pepper.
• Cook until a thin layer of oil remains on top and when a spoonful of zacusca is removed, only the oil should run off the spoon, not the zacusca.
• Taste and adjust salt and pepper to meet your tastes.
• Spoon mixture into sterilized jars of your choosing. It is easiest if they are all the same size.
• Wipe rims clean and place clean lids and rings on jars.
• Place into a single layer in large pot (water bath canner if you have one).
• Fill pot with water up to the necks of the jars. Bring to a boil and boil for 20 minutes.
• Remove from heat and allow to cool in water bath.
• When cool remove from water and you are ready to go. If oil separates just mix it back in when ready to serve.
• NOTE: My original Romanian recipe calls for a full Liter of oil but results in a much heavier and oilier zacusca. I cut mine back substantially from the original.