It’s Friday and you know what that means. It means we get to kick back, put our feet up, and pat ourselves on the back for doing such a fine job all week. What better way to celebrate your goodness (and take a well-deserved load off) than to sip a lovely cocktail in your sunny backyard. I’ve got the drink for you (the yard is up to you). It’s a delicious Lemon Lavender Martini.

What inspired me was the beautiful lavender bushes in our yard. I looked longingly at them one evening, knowing that soon I would have to cut them back, and commented on how they looked pretty enough to eat (or drink!) So we cut off a bunch of stems and made a lavender infused simple syrup. With our simple syrup we mixed in vodka, a splash of fresh lemon juice, and gave it a shake with ice. Adjust the syrup citrus ratio according to taste.

Now there’s some lemon lavender love for you.

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Cobbler schmobbler! There are so many other things to make with blackberries. I know, blackberry season is technically over, but we happened to find a bush hiding quite a few still edible ones. Not quite enough for a pie or cobbler, mind you, but enough to fix up a nice bit of blackberry sauce.

…and mix it with vodka for a tasty martini.

First, you need to make your blackberry sauce, which is delicious not only in cocktails, but in smoothies, yogurt, on pancakes or waffles, you name it.

Blackberry Sauce

1/2 lb blackberries
1 cup water
1/3 cup sugar

Heat the above ingredients in a saucepan on medium-high heat. Mash the berries with a wooden spoon to release all the juices. Stir until all the sugar has dissolved (about 10-15 minutes).

Strain liquid through a fine sieve to remove the seeds, then chill well.

Blackberry Martini

1 part chilled blackberry sauce
1 part vodka
Ice

Put into a shaker with ice and shake well. Strain into a martini glass and there you go.

Wasn’t that easy?

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Barnaby whipped up this refreshing cocktail from the most beautiful crimson tomatoes we found at the farmer’s market. They’re so lovely, their color so perfect, they shine like they’re in a beauty pageant. “Me, me, pick me!” they seem to shout.

And, mmm…mmm…are they juicy! Perfect for flavoring a summer-fresh cocktail.

By using the strained juice of a plump tomato you get the wonderful, tasty essence of the fruit.

Fresh Tomato Martini

2 – 2 1/2 jiggers of fresh tomato water
1- 1 1/2 jiggers of vodka
Ice

In a blender, puree 2 small tomatoes. Strain the pulp through a fine flour sack cloth or cheesecloth into a bowl, tightening the towel to get as much juice as possible.

Fill a martini shaker 3/4 of the way with ice. Add the vodka and the fresh tomato juice, and shake well. Strain over a martini glass and serve immediately.

1 serving.

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