Ethereal Berry Martini

I am thankful that some of the best things in life are free.  I was thinking about this the other day while I was sitting outdoors on my lunch break at work and gazing up at the cloudless sky on a perfect afternoon.  You couldn't pay any amount of money to have weather that perfect, it just had to happen that way. The sky has really been quite lovely all week.  Beautiful pale pink and purple sunrises happening during the first part of my morning runs, and deep coral and orange hues in the evening while taking a walk when the sun is saying its last goodbyes for the day.  Either way, it is one of the most beautiful pieces of artwork one can view for free.  God has done a wonderful job of painting the sky as of lately. 

Today when I decided that since it is Friday and therefore the perfect time to make a martini to celebrate the end of the week, I thought why not make one remeniscent of the beautiful sky.  I had some locally grown Minnesota blueberries in my fridge just begging to be used in something delicious, and they were perfect in my drink!  I wanted it to taste like blueberries and cream and be silky smooth...dessert in a glass but a little boozy.  So I combined the berries with coconut milk and the heavenly scent of vanilla with a bit of vodka and voila!  It was delicious!  The was color as beautiful as the sky has been as of lately and more importantly it was heavenly!  It went down smooth as it was silky, and it was slightly sweet with the light scent of vanilla and deep blueberry flavor.  Dessert in a glass!  Don't forget to take time to notice the beautiful enjoyable things in life, and make yourself a delicious cocktail once in a while!  Happy Friday! 

Ethereal Berry Martini

Makes 1

4-6 large ice cubes
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
4 oz Prairie Organic Vodka

1/4 cup  plus 1 Tbsp blueberry puree, strained

2 Tbsp vanilla bean syrup*

1/4 cup lite coconut milk

In a martini shaker add the ice, vanilla, vodka, blueberry puree, vanilla bean syrup, and coconut milk, and place top on shaker. Shake until well blended. Pour through a strainer into a chilled martini glass, and serve!
 

*Vanilla Bean Syrup:

1/4 cup water
1/4 cup agave nectar
seeds of one vanilla bean

Heat water until boiling, remove from heat and whisk in agave nectar and vanilla beans, until nectar is dissolved. Chill well before using in drinks. Makes 1/2 cup syrup