Signature Drinks

The Pink B*tch

we called it

The Pretty Pink Lady

When we have a big party I like to make a signature drink. We always offer a special cocktail when we have our annual garden dinner party. For the birthday party last Saturday night we were using pinks, oranges and greens in the color scheme...mostly pink. I thought a pink cocktail would be fun. I've made this one before and served it at a party, it's not too strong, it's refreshing and it's pretty....perfect! I found the original recipe in a cookbook a friend gave me, Serena Food and Stories by Serena Bass. It's one of my very favorite cookbooks, there are some really great recipes and she tells great stories about food, catering and her life.

Serena's version of

The Pink B*tch

1 1/2 ounces Absolut Citron

1/2 ounce raspberry puree

1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice

Splash of Sprite

Lemon wedge, for garnish

Add all the ingredients to a shaker half filled with ice.

Shake well and strain into a double rocks glass over ice.

My version - to serve a crowd

*The Pretty Pink Lady*

1 1/2 cups Sky Vodka - Lemon

1/2 cup raspberry puree

1/2 ounce Real Lemon Juice

2 or 3 cups Sprite

Lemon slice, for garnish

I made the drinks in batches, sometimes doubling these

ingredients depending on how fast the guests were drinking

them. We set several glasses on a tray, put in a few ice cubes,

filled the glasses and perched a half-lemon slice on the edge

of the glass. I made them pretty weak, it was a mellow crowd

and I was going for a thirst quencher - not a strong martini

style drink. We didn't bother with the martini shaker for

these, just poured them straight out of a pitcher.

*Raspberry Puree

I used frozen whole raspberries.

Thaw raspberries, put in blender and blend on high for a couple of minutes. Strain through cheesecloth to get rid of the seeds. Blend seeded raspberry syrup with equal parts simple syrup.

*Simple Syrup

I heat two cups water with two cups sugar until the water almost boils. Stir until you're sure all of the sugar granules have dissolved. Cool the syrup completely and then add to the berries.

I posted this recipe for Julie, one of Tami's readers...hope you like it Julie!