What mama doesn’t need a drink right now, am I right? Martinis always make me feel sophisticated and like I’m living in an episode of Mad Men. But sometimes a classic vodka or gin martini isn’t quite what I’m looking for. As we enter summer, tempt your taste buds with one of these libations.

Key Tools

• Cocktail/martini shaker
• Muddler

Basic Steps to Making a Martini

1. Muddle any fruit
2. Add liquid
3. Fill the shaker with ice, cover and shake until the shaker frosts. About 10 seconds.

Starter Ingredients

• Crushed ice
• Tito’s Vodka (my gluten free favorite) or your vodka of choice
• Simple syrup (Easy to make at home. Equal parts sugar and water. Heat the mixture on low stirring until the sugar dissolves. Cool before using. Lasts in the fridge for one month.)

Summer Martini Recipes

Blueberry Lemon Martini

2 oz vodka
1 oz simple syrup
1 oz fresh lemon juice
Handful of blueberries

Muddle the blueberries in the shaker. Add the liquid. Fill the shaker ¾ full with ice. Shake for 10 seconds. Serve in a plain or sugar-rimmed glass.

Cucumber Mint Martini

2 oz vodka
1/2 oz simple syrup
1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
1/4 cucumber, cubed
4 mint leaves

Muddle the cucumbers and mint in the shaker. Add the liquid. Fill the shaker ¾ full with ice. Shake for 10 seconds. Garnish with mint or cucumber.

Watermelon Martini

2 oz vodka, chilled
1 oz simple syrup
1/4 oz fresh lime juice
2, 1 oz cubes of seedless watermelon
Garnish: 2 frozen, 1 oz cubes of seedless watermelon

Muddle the watermelon in the shaker. Add the liquid. Shake for 10 seconds. Pour into a chilled glass. Garnish with frozen watermelon cubes.

Raspberry Martini

2 oz vodka
1 oz simple syrup
1 oz fresh lime juice
Handful of raspberries
2 mint leaves

Muddle the raspberries and mint leaves in the shaker. Add the liquid. Fill the shaker ¾ full with ice. Shake for 10 seconds. Serve in a plain or sugar-rimmed glass.

Basil Vodka Gimlet

2 oz vodka
1/4 oz simple syrup
1/2 oz fresh lime juice
5 basil leaves

Muddle the basil leaves and lime juice in the shaker. Add the liquid. Fill the shaker ¾ full with ice. Shake for 10 seconds. Garnish with mint or cucumber.

What’s your summer martini of choice?