Pear Martinis – or is it HOT in here?

Its no big secret that I have a soft spot in my life  for all things spicy; food, theater, books, men; I digress… Until recently the thought of a cocktail that is spicy was left to the ubiquitous Bloody Mary; found in 5 star hotel bars, local little casinos, and even the seedy little dive bars that can be found peppered throughout most neighborhoods in America. Like all great drinking establishments the offer of a Bloody Mary is a staple most served to those who are seeking relief from a night of self abuse or as a way to warn your body that today, is a day to party; starting now.  That being confessed, I have to share with you that I have become a serious spice HO when it comes to my cocktails.

How did it happen you ask? Well let me tell you my friend, it was a smooth and slippery slope that I fell down; like Paris Hilton chasing after a photographer in the hopes of being relevant; I too have found something worth prostituting myself for, and if I tell you how easy it is to make, do I have to kill you?

Sweet and spicy flavors belong together like Joan Rivers and a Plastic Surgeon. I am not one to question time tested, old flavor pairings,  but do you really think that can apply to cocktails too? DOH! Um, WHY didn’t I think of this combo years ago?! As my liver is crying out her thanks to God above, I am compelled to confess that in my youth I actually thought Corona was BEER! That being said, you may never trust my pallet to steer you in the direction of oral nirvana, but I will take that bet and plead for forgiveness as only a young tongue can do and assure you, that like a beautiful French Bordeaux, I too have improved with age. My thighs? No. My pallet? Yes, yes, a thousand times, yes.

All of this brings me to the point of today’s post. If you like spice, and you like martinis, then let me share with you my new favorite party in my mouth (I’m sorry my love, you are a close second).

Just a little spice...

Spicy Pear Martini
3 parts Vodka
1 part pear juice
2 slices of fresh ginger
1/2 part spicy simple syrup*
1 slice of canned pear
Squeeze of fresh lime

Spicy Simple Syrup
1 cup Sugar
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (more or less depending on taste)
Boil sugar and water into a syrup. Add cayenne pepper to taste.

Muddle the martini into a martini shaker over ice. Shake well. Mix some raw sugar and cayenne pepper together onto a plate. Run a piece of lime around the edge of your martini glass and dip into the sugar mixture to create a sugar rimmed glass that has some HEAT. Pour martini into glass. Garnish with a piece of pear. Kiss your sobriety good bye my friend.