Great for Halloween: Bloody Martinis

Paula and I like to come up with a fun cocktail for our parties. It's nice to have one cocktail ready for guests when they come in, but of course, we’ll also serve beer, wine and make-your-own cocktails. Many of our friends like Vodka – which is great for mixing because it doesn’t have an overpowering flavor like some liquors – so we can use it knowing that the cocktail won’t go to waste. More often than not, the cocktail is a conversation starter as well, “Mmm, this is good, what’s in it?”

There are many recipes floating around the internet for “Bloody Martinis” but Paula came up with one that I particularly like. Why? Because the thick, real-looking, deep red “blood” drips down the inside of the martini glass, looking yummy, festive and creepy all at once, daring you to take a drink.

Corn Syrup "Blood"
Find a smallish plate with a lip that has a flat bottom. Your martini glasses need to fit completely onto the flat bottom. Pour a layer of corn syrup onto the plate, covering the bottom (approx. 2T). Add red food coloring until you have a blood red color. After you've made your martini mix (such as the one below), turn the martini glass upside-down on the plate. Twirl the glass completely and slowly 3 times in the "blood." Turn right-side up and serve immediately with a cocktail napkin. The cocktail napkin helps prevent bloody fingers as the blood will eventually drip down to the bottom of the glass.

There are many great martini recipes, and the "bloody martini" effect works well with clear, red, or pink martinis. Here is one simple recipe we enjoy.

Blood Orange Martini Recipe
1 part citron (citrus) vodka
1 part cranberry juice
splash of sparkling blood orange juice

Mix the vodka and cranberry juice in a shaker filled with ice. Shake. Pour in martini glass and add splash of the sparkling blood orange juice.