Merry Shrimp Martinis Recipes

Steps:

• If you bought raw shrimp, steam shrimp until pink, about 5 minutes, then cold shock under running water. Place in freezer until ready to serve.
• Mix celery, horseradish, lemon juice, hot sauce, chili sauce, ketchup and vegetable juice together and season with salt and pepper. Pour sauce into 4 martini glasses and surround rim with chilled shrimp. Serve lemon wedges alongside glasses on cocktail forks.

Steps:

• Combine the lemon slices, sugar and vanilla in a resealable container; cover and shake vigorously until the lemon slices are coated. Set aside, shaking occasionally, until the sugar dissolves, about 30 minutes. Smash the lemon slices with a fork to release the juices. Let sit 30 minutes, then refrigerate until ready to use.
• Fill 2 martini glasses with ice and set aside. Shake the lemons again, then strain the juice into a liquid measuring cup. Combine the vodka, vermouth, pear nectar and 1 1/2 ounces of the lemon syrup in a cocktail shaker. Fill with ice and stir until cold. Discard the ice in the martini glasses and strain the drink into the chilled glasses. Garnish with pear slices and lemon twists.

Steps:

• Combine the vodka, pineapple juice, raspberry liqueur, pomegranate juice and lemon juice in a pitcher. Refrigerate until ready to serve, at least 1 hour.
• Add 1 cup ice to the pitcher and stir vigorously to chill and slightly dilute the cocktail. Pour into glasses and garnish with pomegranate seeds.

Steps:

• For the lemon curd: Beat the eggs and sugar in a small stainless steel or copper pot (do not use aluminum as it will leave deposits in your curd!). Add the lemon juice, zest, and butter. Bring to a high simmer and cook until mixture thickens. Strain immediately through a sieve or cheesecloth. Spoon 1-ounce of curd into each of the 10 martini glasses. This is best done while the curd is warm but can also be done once it's cooled if necessary. Chill the glasses with the curd until the curd is cold and set.
• For the custard: Split the vanilla bean with a paring knife and scrape the seeds into the sugar. Use your fingers to work the beans into the sugar ¿ making an even mixture. Mix this mixture with the egg yolks and the eggs. Don't whip it but be sure to completely mix it so the color is consistent throughout. Bring the cream to a boil, remove from the heat and slowly pour it into the egg mixture, stirring constantly. Add the vanilla extract.
• To bake the creme brulee: Pour 3 ounces of the warm custard mixture into each of the glasses (over the lemon curd). Find a deep pan (preferably at least 6 inches deep. Restaurant supply stores commonly sell these as "hotel" or "insert" pans) and place the filled martini glasses in them. Set the pan on the bottom shelf of a 325 degrees F oven. Using a water pitcher, pour enough water into the pan to at least cover the stems of the glasses - ideally you can pour enough to come up about 1/3 of the way on the part of the glass the holds the custard. Baking times will vary depending on the amount of water in the pan and the type of pan used, but will be somewhere around 45 minutes to 1 hour. The custard is done when you tap the side of the glass and it looks thick and moves as one (as opposed to the center of the custard giggling more than the outside). Carefully remove the pan from the oven and let cool at room temperature for about 1 hour. Transfer creme brulees into the refrigerator to cool and set completely.
• To finish the creme brulee: Sprinkle about a tablespoon of sugar over each of the custards. Use your finger to spread it evenly over the top. Light a blowtorch and turn it to the high setting. Melt and caramelize the sugar quickly. Note that a flame that is too low or prolonged heat towards the edge of the martini glass may break the glass. Use caution and practice on one away from the others so that if it does break you don't get glass in the other custards. Creme brulees can be caramelized ("burnt") up to 4 hours before service and held in the refrigerator.

Steps:

• Put the tomato slices in a large glass container or pitcher. Add the vodka (make sure it covers the tomatoes) and a pinch of salt; let infuse 6 to 12 hours at room temperature. Strain the vodka, then chill until ready to serve.
• Meanwhile, prick the grape tomatoes with a skewer; toss with the balsamic vinegar in a bowl and marinate 4 hours at room temperature.
• Drain the grape tomatoes, reserving the vinegar. Bring the vinegar to a boil in a nonreactive saucepan over medium heat. Reduce the heat and simmer until syrupy, about 20 minutes; let cool.
• For each drink, drizzle some of the balsamic syrup into the bottom of a chilled martini glass. Muddle 2 to 3 basil leaves with a splash of tomato-infused vodka in a cocktail shaker. Add another 1 1/2 ounces tomato-infused vodka and 1 cup ice; shake and strain into the glass. Skewer 2 marinated grape tomatoes, 2 basil leaves and a mozzarella ball on a cocktail pick and set in the martini.