Ask An OC Bartender: Your Best Martini Recipe

When you think of martinis, perhaps you think of a scene from an F. Scott Fitzgerald novel where everyone is dressed impeccably and sipping gin martinis. Perhaps you think of some place like a country club. Well, the martini has come a long way, and it's not just a boring drink for the upper crust any more. There are so many variations of martinis now that they can be enjoyed by anyone. If you've been looking for some new martini recipes, try these variations from Dee Cornelius of Bruno's Italian Kitchen in Brea.

Dee Cornelius
Bruno's Italian Kitchen
210 W Birch St.
Brea, CA 92821
(714) 257-1000
www.brunosbrea.com

Dee Cornelius is a bit like a superhero in that she has two distinct jobs. At night, she creates craft cocktails at Bruno's in Brea. By day, she attempts to get her Dirty Dee handbags into stores. Bruno's is a place that specializes in the Venetian cuisine that the chef grew up eating. In addition to craft cocktails, you'll also find a great selection of wines from both California and Italy.

• 1-1/2 oz Bulleit rye whiskey
• 3/4 oz. Carano Antico
• 3/4 oz. Aperol

Directions:

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Pour all three ingredients into the shaker and mix.
3. Strain the ingredients into a chilled martini glass.
4. Garnish with an Amarena cherry.

Limoncello Drop

• 1-1/4 oz. Wodka Vodka
• 1/4 oz. Aperol
• 1 oz. lemon juice
• 3/4 oz. Limoncello
• 1/2 oz. honey

Directions:

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Pour all the ingredients into the shaker and mix.
3. Rim a chilled martini glass with sugar.
4. Strain the ingredients into the martini glass.
5. Garnish with a slice of lemon.

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Lambrusco

• 5 fresh blackberries
• 1/4 oz. Fragoli liqueur
• 1/4 oz. simple syrup
• 1/4 oz. lime juice
• 1-1/2 oz. Wodka Vodka
• 1/2 oz egg white (optional)
• 3/4 oz Lambrusco Robanera red

Directions:

1. Combine blackberries, fragoli liqueur, simple syrup and lime in a Boston shaker, muddle gently.
2. Add the egg white and vodka.
3. Dry shake the ingredients for 5-10 seconds.
4. Fill the shaker with ice and shake until chilled.
5. Strain the ingredients into a martini glass.
6. Gently pour on the Lambrusco.
7. Garnish with three fresh blackberries on a bamboo cocktail stick.

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