It tastes better than it looks...

The photo of the Grilled Pineapple & Cracked Pepper Martini you see here is courtesy of Bar Solutions, an Australian-based bar consulting firm who pitched in on the cocktail menu at SM23 Lounge in Morristown, New Jersey. The Aussies know their stuff when it comes to cocktails - unfortunately, the bartenders at SM23 couldn't quite get the look right, which could've been why I didn't even think to whip out my trusty new iPhone and snap a shot of the actual drink I was sippin' last weekend.

Nevertheless, the cocktails at SM23 deserve a mention here because of their innovative ingredients and overall deliciousness. If you ever find yourself in Morristown (a really cute town, btw), I highly recommend a round of these pinapple-y potables:

Grilled Pineapple & Cracked Pepper Martini: peppercorn-infused Belvedere vodka, chargrilled pineapple, lemon juice, chamomile syrup, and pineapple juice

Grilled Pineapple & Cardamom Martini: Belevedere vodka, cardamom pods, pineapple juice, chargrilled pineapple, vanilla syrup, lemon juice

Sippin' Sazeracs

When I was in New Orleans earlier this year, I had my very first Sazerac, and I was surprisingly thrilled with the taste. Of course, the fact that I tried one at The Sazerac Bar in the historic Roosevelt Hotel could have had something to do with it -- these folks know a thing or two about mixology. After all, this is where the bar's namesake drink (and some say, America's first cocktail) was invented way back in the late 1800s.

Here's how to make one:
Sazerac
2 oz. rye whiskey
3 dashes Peychaud's bitters
1 splash Herbsaint (a New Orleans-made absinthe substitute)

Evenly coat the inside of a chilled old-fashioned glass with Herbsaint. Shake rye and bitters with cracked ice. Strain into prepared glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.

Want to learn more? Check out this video from CHOW.com.

BFF Off Signature

Every girls night out calls for it's own signature sip. Here's what the ladies and I were sippin' last night. Insanely Dee-lish.

Maharaja's Martini
1 part Grey Goose vodka
1 1/2 parts guava juice
2 tsp. lemon juice
2 mint leaves
splash of coco lopez
1 sprig of fresh mint for garnish

In a cocktail shaker, combine ingredients with ice. Shake vigorously and double strain. Serve in a chilled martini glass.

Sips & Apps

I just got an iPhone and I'm am slightly addicted (well, that's an understatement - it's like crack). I'm excited because now I'll be able to Tweet more for Martini Talk to bring you the best cocktails in all the cities I go to.

So, I've spent the morning doing my new favorite thing (downloading free apps, of course!) and unfortunately, I couldn't really find any cocktail apps I like.

Any suggestions?

I think the problem is that all the apps I find seem to have a lot of the same traditional sips. I wish there was an app that mixed up all the great cocktails served up at restaurants and bars around the country. It could be filtered by city, style (old-school, molecular, herbal, etc.), spirit (sort of like the UrbanSpoon app - my new fave). That's it -- Martini Talk needs its own app! I wonder how I could make that happen....

Now that I have a new phone, my old phone will soon be retired. As I was clearing everything out, I noticed that I had a lot of cocktail recipes saved in my notepad (which I should have Tweeted). So I thought I'd list them here. Enjoy!

Rooskie Doo @ Rick Moonen's RM Seafood, Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas
Chinaco blanco tequila, lemon juice, grapefruit juice, and honey-ginger syrup. Garnished with house-pickled jicama.

10 Sage @ Palomino, Indianapolis
Tangueray, Alize gold passion, fresh sage leaves, and fresh lime sour mix

Rafaella @ deSantos, New York
Vodka, fresh raspberries, Cointreau, fresh orange and lime

Classe X @ Bagatelle, New York
Belvedere IX, muddled ginger, lime juice, pineapple juice, and passion fruit syrup

Grapefruit Basil Martini @ Whiskey Blue, W New York
Bombay Sapphire, grapefruit juice, basil, and simple syrup

Nina Fresa @ Sushi Samba NYC7
Svedka vodka, muddled strawberries, orange liqueur, lime, guava

TGIF

It's Friday and the weather is awesome. I'd say that calls for a light and refreshing sip. So here ya go:

The Hemingway Daiquiri
40% White Rum
10% Luxardo Maraschino
20% Grapefruit Juice
30% Lime Juice
Shake over ice & Strain, Lime Twist

PS: This is my 100th post!

Case of the Mondays

Have a rough time getting up this morning? If you're still in funk come 5 p.m., I suggest heading home and mixing up this yummy sip - I first tried it at Wicky's in Playa del Carmen - guaranteed to pick you up in no time.

Blue Monday
2 oz. vodka
1/4 oz. triple sec
1/4 oz. blue curacao

Mix all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Strain into a chilled martini glass.

Susie & Seabreezes

Yesterday, I was so fortunate to attend the wedding of my co-worker and amazing friend, Susie, who married her longtime-love Francis. The intimate gathering of the couple's closest family and friends was nothing short of spectacular. From the gorgeous weather (a sunny 67 degrees at vows time) and centerpieces to the fabulous venue (The Ritz-Carlton, Grande Lakes) and the bride's stunning Melissa Sweet gown, Susie and Francis got their perfect wedding day.

During cocktail hour, the Caribbean Seabreezes (shown here) were aflowin'. This sip is a Ritz specialty, made with Bacardi rum, triple sec, a dash of grenadine, lime juice, pineapple juice, and splash orange juice. So good, and the color coordinated with Susie's sophisticated pink and gray color combo.

And we can't forget the bride's favorite sip! A Kir Royale (1/4 part Chambord topped with Champagne) is a Susie signature - classic and elegant just like the bride herself.