MARTINI SHAKING TIPS and Another Free Blank Recipe Card

Here's another fun martini card based on one of my newest images from my business graphics store, Taking Care of Business. I created TCB as a way for those of you starting businesses to get customizable and coordinated business logos and graphics for a reasonable price. You simply pick the design you like and add your own name and contact information to create your brand! You can order the business cards, tees, etcetera directly from TCB in small numbers or large - discounts are available for bulk purchases. Then you can get the masthead, logo design to match from my stock image account and use that for your websites and even printing letterheads and newsletters!



You can get this design printed on 2 sided business cards, tees, cups, ties and even shoes, plus other fun products at Biological Business Graphic.



Now you have no excuse not to start that new business you've been dreaming of!



TIPS FOR SHAKING YOUR MARTINIS



1. Chill the Shaker First - you can do this by sticking it in the fridge/freezer or filling it with ice cubes. If you choose the method of using ice cube be sure to empty out the melted ice or simply dump them all out and start with fresh cube for the drink.



2. When you shaker is nicely chilled add your ice for the drink - I fill the shaker about half full to allow room for the drink ingredients.



3. Shake vigorously with some rhythm - sing, hum or have some good music on in the background, it helps establish a rhythm and it gets you in the mood for cocktail hour too! Remember, some drinks - like a classic gin martini - should be stirred not shaken so keep that in mind. Shaking is fun and part of the ritual of making a martini but stirring can be fun and it's retro - remember those old sixties Doris Day/Rock Hudson movies and the classic glass cocktail pitcher with a glass stir stick?



4. If your drink is a blended drink like a Daiquiri or a colada you're not going to shake at all you're going to use a blender and crushed ice and blend to the consistency of a slushy - think the consistency of that cherry Icee you loved as a kid. (BTW, blended drinks can cause "brain freeze" so remember to be careful with those first sips!)



5. Unless you're muddling some ingredients, add your chunkier ingredients, like fruit, after shaking. I will place these in the glass and pour the cocktail over them.



6. If you are muddling remember to make use of the martini strainer to keep those chunkier elements out of the drink. Remember it's a drink not dinner. Anything that needs to be chewed should be skewered on a martini pick or added to the rim as garnish!



One last reminder, your martini will stay colder if you chill your ingredients as well as your martini shaker. Warm ingredients melt the ice quicker and water down the cocktail. Now go forth and shake, shake, shake your martini and enjoy!