Summer Spa Martini
a cocktail recipe
Risa Weaver-Enion is a professional photographer based in Sacramento, California. Through her company
Risa James Photography, she specializes in food and beverage photography, specifically cocktails. She works with small distilleries, wineries, and purveyors of cocktail accessories to create beautiful imagery for them to use in their marketing efforts. Her book,
Cocktails for Everyday Drinking, was published in 2022 and is available at all online booksellers.
When she’s not photographing cocktails, Risa and her husband love to travel, both within the United States and internationally. Many of their trips have been wine-focused, but they’ve visited their fair share of distilleries around the world as well.
Anyone who wants to reach out to Risa to ask questions about photography, cocktails, or anything else, can find her on Instagram
@risajamesphotography, on the web at
risajamesphoto.com, or over email at risajamesphoto [at] gmail.com. She’s always happy to answer questions and give advice.
After infusing gin with the Summer Spa Day blend of hibiscus, lavender, and rosemary, you have a vibrant and flavorful base spirit for this martini. Adding just a bit of maraschino liqueur to a traditional martini recipe provides a hint of sweetness.
TIME (ACTIVE) | 5 M
TIME (INACTIVE) | 4 H
TOTAL | 4 H 5 M
1 SERVING
| 4 oz cocktail
PRINT RECIPE
SPECIAL EQUIPMENT:
GLASS JAR WITH LID
CHEESECLOTH
FUNNEL
COCKTAIL MIXING GLASS
JIGGER
BAR SPOON
FINE-MESH STRAINER
JULEP STRAINER (OR HAWTHORNE STRAINER)
(Makes: 4 ounces total liquid per cocktail (after dilution with ice); 8 ounces infused gin)
Add 1 tablespoon Summer Spa Day herbal blend to a glass jar and cover it with 8 ounces of gin. Close with a lid, shake, then let sit for up to four hours.
Line a funnel with cheesecloth. Pour contents of infusion through cheesecloth into a clean glass jar or bottle, straining out the herbs. Discard herbs.
Add 2 1/2 ounces infused gin, 1/2 ounce dry vermouth, and 1/4 ounce maraschino liqueur to a cocktail mixing glass. Add ice to fill mixing glass about halfway. Using a bar spoon, stir along the outer edge of the mixing glass for approximately 30 seconds to chill the cocktail.
Double-strain (using both a julep strainer and a fine-mesh strainer) into a martini glass or coupe. Garnish with a sprig of fresh rosemary.
Maraschino liqueur is a specialty cocktail ingredient usually found in the "liqueurs and cordials" section of a liquor store. It is a clear liquid - it is not the same thing as the thick, dark syrup that is in a jar of Luxardo maraschino cherries.
This recipe uses a classic 5:1 ratio of gin:vermouth. Some people prefer more vermouth in their martinis. Adjust the ratio to your personal taste.
Herbal Blend
spice blend collab
This blend of hibiscus, lavender, and rosemary brings the flavors of a summer garden right to your pantry. Between the antioxidants in the hibiscus and the calming properties of lavender and rosemary, you’ll feel like you just had a spa day every time you use it.
Here are some suggestions to get you started:
• Steep in hot water to make an herbal tisane
• Steep in a 1:1 sugar:water mixture to make a flavored simple syrup you can use in cocktails, mocktails, or even drizzled over ice cream
• Infuse clear spirits such as gin, vodka, or rum for vibrant color and additional flavor
• Simmer in a saucepan of water on low heat for aromatherapy
Cheers!
