THE DRAGON KISS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It hit 94 degrees today! LA is experiencing another heat streak, so I say, let’s bring out the shakers, ice and alcohol and cool off! Last week, I hit the Farmer’s Market to seek out some local, seasonal fruit for some refreshing summer cocktails. To my surprise, I discovered something I’d never seen before: Dragon fruit.

 

 

 

 

Dragon fruit, or pitaya, is an extremely exotic looking fruit from the cacti family; it bears a flame-like magenta exterior and has been referred to as the “Queen of the Night.” I had to get it! After purchasing a few more fresh ingredients, I gathered my bartending tools, and a couple hours later I had created a magical martini.

 

 

• First, start by slicing the fruit in half (I like to place a martini glass in the freezer at this point, so it’s frozen by the time I’m finished)
• Gently run a spoon along the inner skin of the fruit and scoop out the kiwi-like interior
• Pulse the fruit in a blender or food processor until smooth
• In a shaker combine:

1 cup of ice
2 oz of Smirnoff Passion Fruit Vodka (you can substitute unflavored vodka – just add a couple splashes of agave nectar or simple syrup)
1 ½ oz of fresh orange juice
1 ½ oz pureed dragon fruit
Juice of 1 squeezed lime

• Shake vigorously for 1 minute and strain into your frozen martini glass

 

Voila! This is a gorgeous cocktail and would be a beautiful drink for Valentine’s Day as well ;)