Confession time. The pictures of this recipe are faked. Totally faked. Yep, I am a faker, and I know it. And now you know it too. The truth is that I almost always take pictures of the actual food I am making, as it truly looks on the plate or in the glass. I don’t gussy it up, I don’t do weird food stylist tricks like spraying chocolate with hairspray to make it look glossy or adding marbles to soup bowls to make the vegetables and meat higher. Because I actually like to eat the food I make and photograph. I hate waste, especially food waste, and I can’t fathom eating a brownie that’s been sprayed with hairspray. And I’d be afraid of choking on the marbles in my soup. So all my food is real, as it really looks. Except for this. It really is a big old fake.
I have my reasons for stooping so low. I take all of my photos in the middle of the day when the natural light is at its best. But I don’t, as a general rule, drink cocktails in the middle of the day. Maybe a glass of wine once in a while when out to lunch with a friend. But my low carb Vanilla Latte Martini is a cocktail with a capital C. It looks like an afternoon pick-me-up, and it tastes like dessert, but it’s seriously potent stuff and I have way too much to do in the afternoon to risk the buzz at lunchtime. So the pictures here are just a mix of regular coffee and a little cream, so that I wouldn’t be tempted to partake after the photos were complete. It looks like the real deal, certainly, but it’s harmless.
Of course, now that it’s 5pm and I am writing up my post, I’ve made myself a real Vanilla Latte Martini and it’s heavenly. This delicious little aperitif is my own brainchild, stemming from the creation of my homemade sugar-free coffee liqueur. Making your own liqueur is a lot of fun, but not being that much of a cocktail drinker, I am sometimes left wondering how to use it. The majority of cocktail recipes I find online are filled with sugary liqueurs and other additives, and I am left to my own devices to come up with a low carb cocktail. So I usually just open my liquor cabinet and try to figure out what I can throw together which won’t send my blood sugar soaring. Sometime the results are less than desirable and usually I don’t make that particular cocktail again.
But this combination? How could I go wrong? Coffee flavoured liqueur and vanilla infused vodka, softened and enriched by heavy cream. It was a winner even before I poured it into our martini glasses and we’ve made it many times since.
Vanilla Latte Martini – Low Carb and Gluten-Free
Ingredients
- 3 ounces vanilla vodka
- 2 ounces homemade coffee liqueur
- 1 tablespoon cream
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add coffee liqueur, vanilla vodka and cream. Shake well and divide between two chilled martini glasses.
Susan says
Can’t wait to try this!… my Kahlua is resting as I write this…. 4 more days left!… FYI, Sky vodkas have 0 carbs… my favorite is sky blueberry vodka and lemon seltzer, sometimes I throw a splash of crystal light lemonade and a sprig of mint???? but good on its own too!… also check out sky blood orange vodka with orange seltzer! …. thanks for all the great recipes ????
Susan.
Michelle says
So I’m wondering how to make the homemade coffee liquer (sugar free kuhlua).
Carolyn says
https://alldayidreamaboutfood.com/homemade-coffee-liqueur-sugar-free/
Laura says
Yum! Been wishing to figure out a keto-friendly White Russian. Definitely going to try this.
Andres - The Low Carb Diet says
I’m really digging this martini mix! I’ll be sharing this today for National Martini Day! 🙂
Carolyn says
Thanks, Andres!
Katy says
Question: on the vanilla flavored vodka, how do we know it hasn’t been sweetened? When I have tried looking for nutritional information on flavored spirits, I’ve found it almost impossible! Pinnacle was one of my favorite brands prior to beginning my low carb journey, and I’ve even asked them on their Facebook page, whether or not there is added sugar. They have not responded.
Carolyn says
Use Absolut Vanilla. No added sugar, they state it clearly on their website: ABSOLUT VANILIA is made exclusively from natural ingredients, and unlike most other flavored vodkas, it doesn’t contain any added sugar. ABSOLUT VANILIA is rich, robust and complex. It has a distinct character of vanilla, notes of butterscotch and hints of dark chocolate.
Shaina says
Love that you faked the pictures. Nothing wrong with that in the middle of the day.
Russell van kraayenburg says
It’s like morning and night all wrapped up in one cocktail! I love it.
marla says
Love this recipe! Will be linking back to this in my upcoming post 🙂
Carolyn says
Thanks, Marla!
Cookbook Queen says
Ain’t nothin’ wrong with a midday cocktail!!!
Kita says
I am not above a buzz at lunch. So the next time you need to photograph a tasty tini mid day let me know. I will do all that I can to help so that nothing goes to waste 😉
Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking says
Sugar free homemade Kahlua, no way! Going to check that out… Amazing recipe, Carolyn. Happy Easter!
Beth @ Tasty Yummies says
Yes!! This looks amazing!! Off to check out that recipe for the homemade liqueur now. I need that in my life 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Joshua Hampton (Cooking Classes San Diego) says
Coffee and vodka – two of my favorite things. I would so drink this martini any time of the day.
Stacy | Wicked Good Kitchen says
Love this, Carolyn! Your photography keeps getting better and better, girl. Thank you! xo
Jeanette says
My brother who is prediabetic would love this Carolyn – passing this along!
Brian @ A Thought For Food says
HA! Well, you know my feelings on day drinking (fan)… so I’m disappointed in you. 😉 But damn does it look good and I love the shots! Great job!
Sommer@ASpicyPerspective says
Mmmm, what a stunner!
Mendi says
I was intrigued by the idea of making my own low-carb coffee liqueur, and I’m so glad I did! Thank you so much for these recipes and instructions. Often even low-carb cocktail recipes turn out way too sweet for our tastes, but both this vanilla latte martini and the Mexican coffee have been spot-on! And dangerous. ; ) The pics are lovely. Thanks again!
Carolyn says
Glad you liked it!