DIY New Years Edition: Stoli Doli

Posted by Kelly

Recently reunited in Bakersfield, we found the most happenin' place in Bakersfield to be my Uncle Gordon's kitchen which involved martinis, beer pong, flip cup, hot tubing and late night mac n cheese.

We started the night with an easy favorite, the Stoli Doli. I first experienced these in Haddenfield, New Jersey two years ago when visiting the same uncle at his previous home. The recipe is simple, even for a large group.

What You'll Need:

- 2 Pineapples (Dole)
- 1 half gallon of vodka (Stoli)
- 1 large glass jar/drink dispenser

Really the brand of the pineapples or the vodka is personal preference, but you can see where the name "Stoli Doli" comes from.

Step One:

Cut the skin off the pineapples and put on side to cut the pineapples into slices. Remove the core and put into the glass drink dispenser.

Step Two:

Pour the half gallon of vodka into the drink dispenser.


Step Three:

Allow pineapples and vodka to soak for 2 days.

Shake and enjoy!

Next we enjoyed a Lemon Drop Martini, one of our favorites, but this time it was fancied up with Adam's heart shaped lemon peel garnish!

Happy New Year!
Looking forward to all the food, drinks, and recipes to try in 2010!

DIY: Lemon Drop Martini

Posted by Kelly

Our days in the dorms resulted in many a horrible cocktail concoction...

Leslie and I in our dorm room Sophomore year
undoubtedly drinking room temperature vodka and juice

...so when we moved into our house in North Portland it was time to create something delicious! Lemon Drop Martini's became one of our go to cocktails throughout college when we were feeling classy and preparing for a great night, or when we just needed a tasty drink to take our minds off the pile of homework ahead of us.

Leslie and I, Junior year, sipping on tasty lemon drops!

The recipe is easy and sure to impress.

Lemon Drop Martini Recipe:
1 1/2 oz Vodka (Plain or Citrus)
1 oz Triple Sec
1 oz Lemon Juice
Simple syrup to taste, about a spoonful

You will need:
Juicer (electric, old school, or we've used our hands, a spoon...whatever gets the juice out!)
Martini Shaker
Ice

Start by making simple syrup. This is easy, and you can make extra to put in a glass container and store in the refrigerator for future creations. I like to make the mixture using approximately 2 parts sugar to 1 part water. This way the syrup is thicker and I use less of it. Heat 1 cup water, add 1.5 to 2 cups of sugar and let the sugar dissolve completely. Allow it to cool and store the extra.

Next juice your lemons, quantity will depend on how many drinks you're making and how juicy your lemons are.

In your martini shaker, for 1 drink (double for 2), combine ice, 1 1/2 oz of vodka (for affordable plain vodka I prefer Monopolowa, for citrus anything goes, we've used Burnetts, Smirnoff, Absolut, Sky....use your favorite) 1 oz Triple Sec (also use your judgment, but some have more alcohol content than others, just saying) 1 oz lemon juice, and a spoonful of simple syrup.

Shake.

Pour into sugared rim martini glass. Garnish with a small slice of lemon peel or a lemon twist.

Enjoy!

Photos of a handful of other Lemon Drop Martini worthy occasions...

Leslie's 21st Birthday!

Jenna comes to visit!


A night out downtown!