Candy Cane Martini

This is a Bethenny recipe. Bethenny, as in "skinny girl". I get Health Magazine and I really like her recipes and column and look forward to it every month. The girl makes some tasty things. I made this cocktail for my friend, Danielle, because it completely reminded me of her. I made simple syrup and crushed candy canes for the rim and everything. Our expectations were high for some holiday cheer in a glass. We each took one sip. Whoa, it was strong. Danielle took another sip and said "Oh my, it's really strong". I took another sip and said "I like it, kind of, but I think it could be better". Then she said "I really like it too, it's just so...strong and pepperminty". I took one more sip and muttered the word under my breath. Strong. 



We talked about ways to tweak it. Then, by her fourth or fifth sip Danielle declared she liked it just fine and drank it till it was gone. A strong drink does not intimidate Danielle. Still, it needed some help. The original recipe called for 1 1/2 oz (which is 1 1/2 shots) of vodka, 1 1/2 oz peppermint schnapps, and 1/2 oz fat free sweetened condensed milk. It needed to be half as sweet and diluted with something because basically the whole drink was alcohol. I guess this is a given for a martini, but I like my changes better. It's still strong, but it won't make you roll back on your heels declaring it for 30 minutes. It's also now pleasantly pepperminty instead of being in your face pepperminty which is much better, even for Christmas. I couldn't help but think of how this is the perfect "first date" drink for ladies (or married couple who like to kiss) since it keeps your breath minty fresh. Where's the mistletoe?



Candy Cane Martini
adapted from Bethenny Frankel, Health magazine, December 2012

makes 1 martini

1 oz (1 shot) vodka (I like Grey Goose)
1 oz (1 shot) peppermint schnapps
1 oz (1 shot) club soda
1/4 oz (1/4 of a shot) fat free sweetened condensed milk

Mix all ingredients in an ice filled shaker. Shake, and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a mini candy cane.

To make a crushed candy cane rim: microwave 2 tablespoons of sugar and 2 tablespoons water on a plate until sugar is dissolved (or make a simple syrup and pour into a plate). Crush 2 candy canes finely and put on another plate. Dip the martini glass in the simple syrup, then in the crushed candy canes.