Fruit forward

Cheers, April, 2007

A-PEAR-ENTLY COSMOPOLITAN

Brenda Brinks, bar manager/mixologist at the Walldorff Brewpub & Bistro in Hastings, Mich., concocted this libation for its spring menu.

  1 1/2 oz. Absolut Pears Vodka
  1/2 oz. Midori Melon Liqueur
  1 1/2 oz. white grape juice
  Splash of sweetened lime juice

Chill all ingredients over ice, strain into a Martini glass. Garnish with lemon twist.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

O-NO

Deano Samens, bar manager at Jake's Supper Club, Menomonie, Wis., shakes this popular cocktail.

  1 1/2 oz. Bacardi O Original Orange Rum
  1/3 oz. Rose's Mango Mix
  Splash orange juice

Shake all ingredients and strain into a Martini glass with a sugared rim. Add an orange twist.

IMPERIA POMEGRANATE COSMO

This signature cocktail was served at the Lobby Bar during Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week held in New York in February.

  1 3/4 oz. Imperia Vodka
  1/2 oz. triple sec
  1/2 oz. pomegranate syrup
  Two squeezes of fresh lime juice

Shake all ingredients in a mixing glass; pour into a cocktail glass.

SPANISH NIGHTS CEO MARTINI

Dashan Zaric and Jason Kosmas, bartenders at Employee's Only in New York City, created this Martini for Chopin Vodka's spring cocktail portfolio.

2 oz. Chopin Vodka
Dry sherry
Three pitted jumbo-sized olives
Manchego cheese
Serrano ham

Rinse a Martini glass with dry sherry and pour out any extra.

Place the glass in the freezer for two to three minutes to chill. Pour vodka into a mixing glass, add ice and shake vigorously for seven to eight seconds. Strain into Martini glass and garnish with olives stuffed with cheese, wrapped with ham and spiked with a skewer.

BLACK & GOLD MOJO

Shari Welsh, barkeep at Bob's Inn in Murrysville, Pa., created this shooter to cheer on the Pittsburgh Steelers.

  1 oz. Kahlua Coffee Liqueur
  1 oz. Jose Cuervo Gold Tequila

Layer the two ingredients into a shot glass.

MIDORI FIZZ

This refreshing and easy to make cocktail was created by Midori Melon Liqueur.

  1 oz. Midori Melon Liqueur
  splash club coda

Pour Midori over ice in a tall glass; add the club soda.

CAPE CODDER

Ocean Spray offers this refreshing, cranberry-flavored libation.

  6 oz. Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice Cocktail, chilled
  1 1/2 oz. vodka
  1 teaspoon lemon juice

Pour all ingredients into a tall glass filled with ice.

GREEN TEA MARTINI

Japonais in New York City adds this Martini to its lineup of spring cocktails.

  2 oz. Hendrick's Gin
  2 oz. Zen Green Tea Liqueur
  3/4 oz. half & half or soy milk
  3/4 oz. simple syrup

Shake all ingredients and serve in a Martini glass. Garnish with a sprinkle of green tea powder on top.

Cheers welcomes original drink ideas! Send recipes to: Cheers Drinks Department, 17 High Street, 2nd Floor, Norwalk, CT 06851 or evansavage@m2media360.com.

RELATED ARTICLE: SCARLET PLUM MARGARITA

Barkeeps Charlie Marin and Diego Fernandes at Cafe Frida, New York City, co-created this plum-flavored Margarita.

1 peeled plum (save peel for garnish)
1 oz. Don Julio Reposado Tequila
1 oz. fresh lime juice
1/2 oz. Grand Marnier

In a Boston shaker, muddle peeled plum. Add tequila, lime juice, Grand Marnier and five ice cubes to shaker; cover and shake well. Strain contents from shaker into a Martini glass. Garnish with plum peel.