The Drink: Made Martini

The Location: Your home

The Buzz: I’m not a Sopranos fan. It’s not that I dislike the show; I’ve just never invested the time to become obsessed with it. Shocking, I know. But I recognize that most people are eagerly awaiting the final episode this weekend. In honor of you all, I experimented with a Sopranos-inspired cocktail, a recipe I received in a press release. The Made Martini looks much less intimidating than the name implies. A cross between a Cosmopolitan and a Manhattan, the recipe calls for 1 part Maker’s Mark, 1/2 part Triple Sec, 1/2 part lime juice, and 1/2 part cranberry juice. Once the drink is poured, you’re supposed to flame an orange twist over the drink and then discard the twist. I altered the recipe a bit to work with the ingredients I had on hand. For lime juice I used Rose’s sweetened lime juice, which I balanced by almost doubling the Maker’s Mark. The result is a deadly delicious martini. The fruits don’t overpower the bourbon; they smooth it out but not too much—-I still had that lingering bourbon burn in my throat. I didn’t have an orange, but I will make sure I do when I make it again. The citrus essence would add a refreshing quality that the drink lacks. A friend who tried the cocktail called it a tease—-but in a good way. He said it was exciting and left him wanting more. So raise a glass on Sunday when you watch The Sopranos; I’ll at least be doing half of that.