“The Shawna” Martini Recipe – Blood Orange, Gin, and a Sugared Rim

I was chatting with a girlfriend in Cleveland at a gorgeous Italian-style bar when the bartender asked what I would like for a cocktail. I looked him square in the eye and say, “I’m feeling adventurous, make me a fabulous martini. A new martini. A martini with remarkable written all over it. A brand new cocktail!” My bartender, R.J. from Cibreo Italian Kitchen (see below), raised his eyebrow with excitement, brewed up some magic, and named the cocktail after me (yes, I’m blushing). “The Shawna” is not too sweet, has gorgeous color, and is bold tasting – I loved the martini. It’s easy to make this individual cocktail for 4 people for under $10, I used Prairie Organic Gin for my gorgeous tasting concoction.

This martini creation sparked an idea – I will be posting a cocktail recipe once a month, to go with my cocktail garden, of course. I’ll include lots of herbs in the future recipes so you can get great ideas from the garden as well as the kitchen. I shook up this cocktail out on my cocktail patio.  Here’s a link on how I built the patio – LINK.

Below is the recipe for “The Shawna”, R.J.’s tasty and original cocktail. There are no herbs in this one, but it has amazing flavor, particularly with the sugared rim. You can add a cherry or some pineapple if you like. If you can’t find pomegranate sugar just use regular sugar – enjoy!!

The Shawna Martini Recipe –

• Gin– 1.5 oz.
• Grapefruit Bitters – A few dashes
• Blood Orange Juice – a cup or so
• Ice
• Pomegranate Sugar for the rim

Throw all the lovely ingredients in a shaker. Shake well. Rim a glass with sugar using water or a little juice. Strain ice out as you pour into a sugar-rimmed martini glass. Ta dah!!

Shawna Martini Recipe original cocktail

Also – dontcha just love the flowers in these photos? The larger flower is Calibrachoa Kimono™ Ready To Wear™ Osaka and the smaller pink flower is the magnificent Bacopa Boutique™ Pink Mascara from Hort Couture.