It’s cocktail time! Actually, it’s not really, because as I hit publish on this post, it’s probably only 6 or 7 in the morning. And although I really do like my cocktails, I am not about to start imbibing that early on in the day. Really, I would never do such a thing, no matter how badly my kids are driving me crazy. I might start as early as, say 4:55 pm, because really, that is as good as being 5 o’clock. But not a minute earlier. Okay, well, maybe a minute. Or two. But definitely never ever at 7 in the morning. I can, however, start writing about cocktails any time of night or day. And it will be cocktail time tonight, because it’s Friday and it’s been a long week for me. I am sure it’s been a long week for you too. Won’t you come join me for Happy Hour?
It would seem that my Rosemary Grapefruit Martini caught someone’s eye – and really, can you blame them? I was offered samples of a new premium vodka called Platinum 7X. It is apparently distilled 7 times and won a gold medal at The San Francisco World Spirits Competition. It was also rated as a Best Buy by The Beverage Testing Institute because of it affordable price. I didn’t even know there WAS a Beverage Testing Institute, quite frankly, but I wasn’t about to turn it down. I had to give some thought to what sort of drink I might make with it. In case you hadn’t noticed, I am rather partial to anything that comes in a martini glass, so I knew it would probably take that shape. I remembered a cocktail my sister-in-law made once that had lime and cardamom in it, and although hers was a highball and mixed with soda, I thought it would make an excellent flavour for a vodka martini as well.
The Results: I will be the first to admit that I don’t really know my vodkas. I don’t know what makes one better than another. But I can tell you that this cocktail had fantastic flavour and a wonderful smooth taste. I can only assume that a lesser vodka would have a sharper finish. The syrup added a lovely exotic sweetness without being overpowering. And lime and cardamom together is a really wonderful combination. I think cardamom pairs perfectly with any citrus, but particularly with the sourness of lime. This is a cocktail I will definitely be making again.
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Lime Cardamom Martini
Cardamom Syrup
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup granulated erythritol (I used Swerve)
OR
1/4 cup sugar
3/4 tsp cardamom seeds, crushed
Martini:
Juice of one lime
3 oz Platinum 7X Vodka
3 tbsp cardamom syrup
For the cardamom syrup, combine water, erythritol or sugar and cardamom seeds in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer, stirring to dissolve erythritol or sugar. Turn heat to low and simmer 10 minutes. Remove from heat, strain through a fine-mesh sieve and let cool. (If using erythritol, you will find it begins to crystallize as it cools. You will need to rewarm a bit to liquify when making the cocktail, but as you shake it with ice, this won’t make much of a difference).
For the martini, fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add lime juice, vodka and cardamom syrup. Shake well. Pour into two chilled martini glasses and garnish with lime twists.
Serves 2.
Parsley Sage says
Ooooh! Flash cocktail, darling! How many hours is it until 5? 🙂
Nancy(SpicieFoodie) says
I bet it did have a fantastic flavor Carolyn. Wow, what a great cocktail. It is lunch time here and I wouldn't mind having one. You know in Europe people don't always wait for happy hour to have a drink, lol 🙂 Have a great weekend!
The_Mom_Chef says
Oh, I think happy hour will be starting early in this house. You're talking to the vodka gimlet, mojito girl over here. If there's lime in it, I'm all over the thing. It looks amazing. Congrats on being given the sample of the vodka. That may be one of the best sample products I've seen in a long time!
Sommer@ASP says
I'll take a double! 😉
Russell van K says
What a combination of flavors! I'll take a double too!
Meghan says
Carolyn, this sounds fab! I could go for one right about now!
Outlander Kitchen says
You know you`ve hit the `big time` when they start sending you award-winning booze! If there`s anyone who deserves a drink for all your hard work, it`s you Carolyn. And I love the sophisticated add of cardamom. Sounds like my type of cocktail. And I start at 4…only 8 hours to go! 🙂 Theresa
naomi says
Great flavor profile!!!
Cookin' Canuck says
I don't really know my vodkas either – I just know that it's my favorite spirit to use in cocktails. And this cocktail looks tempting as anything! (But no early morning happy hour for me, either.)
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen says
Mmm…. Cardamom Syrup sounds fantastic!
Terra says
This looks gorgeous!!! I am such a fan of cardamom, what beautiful idea to add cardamom with lime:-) Gorgeous! Hugs, Terra
claire says
Beautiful, Carolynn! Almost too pretty to drink!
Liz says
WOW, that is one gorgeous martini! Your photographs are wonderful…I just want to reach in and try a sip 🙂
Purabi Naha says
This Martini looks awesome!! Loved the droolworthy pictures. Bookmarked! http://cosmopolitancurrymania.blogspot.comThis looks awesome!! Loved the droolworthy pictures. Bookmarked! http://cosmopolitancurrymania.blogspot.com
Magic of Spice says
What a delightful cocktail…love the sound of cardamom syrup, delectable!
Choc Chip Uru says
I may be underage but I simply had to comment because the colour and presentation is superb 🙂
I bet tasted wonderful and was very refreshing!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Latest: Two Twix Fudgy 'Whities'
Katherine Martinelli says
Oooh what wonderful flavors for a cocktail! I just love the cardamom syrup!
Janet@FCTC says
I'll take one, bartender!!! I love lime ANYTHING so this looks great to me!
Heather Jacobsen says
ooo. this martini is right up my alley! love the combo of lime and cardamom. of course, i'm a gin-martini girl, though. cheers! :)javascript:%20postComment(0);
quaypocooks says
We love martini. I must try this. Looks gorgeous!
Angie's Recipes says
Don't drink cocktail often…this looks really great.
Karen says
Oooh….what a great combination of flavors. I love making different simple syrups, and cardamom sounds great. Sunday at 1:48 sounds like a good time for a martini, huh? 🙂
Stephanie says
Love this one! It looks so refreshing! Love the lime/cardamom combo!
Eliot says
Genius with the cardamom syrup!
healthyfoodie says
Wow, what an interesting combination of flavors! Sounds like a wonderful, intriguing cocktail!
kita says
I am a fan of vodkas 😉 So I will happily taste test several different kinds if you need me to – even at 7 am (lol, wow that makes me sound horrible). The quality of the vodka really does help the drink.
Erin @ Dinners, Dish says
I love the combination of flavors in this! I am all about cocktail time (at 5pm)!
opinionatedalchem. says
Sorry to be the party pooper – but this isn't a martini! It is similar, if you would call a steak pie a beef wellington – this is just wrong.
A Martini is usually made with gin [vodka is controversy], and vermouth, and maybe some orange bitters. Thats it!
My second complain – the spirit industry blatantly bribe the blogger scene – and most people don't even notice. Sorry to take your hopes, but there is nothing such as premium vodka. Lets be precise: there is no product which is premium to other quality vodkas. As vodka is a neutral spirit, you can not make "good" vodkas better. Even though, if your vodka seems to be cheaper, than the other premiums and super premiums, it won't be better as a good standard vodka as Finlandia. And because I am on topic: why don't you use a proper spirit with character like gin?
Vodka is far too often used – without a reason.
You drink [lets call it "Near Cocktail" is a nice idea though – I would rather serve it on the rocks – and call it then a Cardamom Sour. Maybe lemons would also fit better as limes, they are usually a tad sweeter and less zesty – something what the whole cocktail would help…
Tastefully Julie says
Omg, cardamom. I love this!