I’m back to my Martini Monday post and it feels great!  I’m sharing one of my favorites today. I discovered this one at the local martini bar where my girlfriends and I often meet up. Since then, I have been forever loyal to these bears. This cocktail is on the far end of the sweet spectrum, but really, who can resist these little bears? Just when you think you’re finished, there’s a surprise in the bottom of your glass… cute little vodka-absorbing bears. Need some grown-up party food,  skip the martini and serve vodka gummy bears. (see recipe below)

Since we’re dealing with kid-favorite candy, I feel a responsibility to put out a public service announcement. I have girlfriends, whose little ones are stealth. If something is out of reach, or secured by baby locks, these little James Bonds have the innate ability to seize it. The bottom line…

• Bears soaked in vodka are not for kids.
• Bears soaked in vodka should be out of reach of children (even teenage children who may be taller than their parents).
• Do not drive after indulging in bears soaked in vodka. I have no idea what the legal limit of vodka gummy bears is, so just designate a non-gummy-bear lovin’ driver.

 Search the web for gummy bear martinis, and you’ll see a ton of different recipes. Every time I order this, it comes out a different reddish-pinkish shade. I think the bartenders at our martini bar each have their own version too. Now I’m joining their ranks with my copycat version.

My grandma used to travel to Germany and bring back the, authentic, fresh bears. I’m not a huge gummi candy fan. I get grossed out when I go to the candy store and see all of the gummi options – body parts, rodents,  eyeballs, centipedes, and those oh-so-popular worms. I stick with the classic and am partial to the clear ones. I’ll gladly share my gummi bears, but those clear ones are off limits.

Cheers to doing what makes you happy this week and keeping a martini half-full attitude!        

Gummi Bear Martini Grinandbakeit Style

1 oz.  raspberry vodka

1 oz. midori

1 oz. peach schnapps

3-4 oz. cranberry juice

splash of chambord

gummi bears

splash of Sprite (optional)*

Pour ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake and pour into chilled martini glasses. Garnish with gummi bears. Adding a splash of Sprite adds a little fizz.

Gummi Bears Infused With Vodka

Place gummi bears in a clear glass bowl. Do not use plastic. Pour vodka over the bears. It’s really a matter of taste here. You can start with less vodka and always add more. Cover the container and keep refrigerated. Do not keep them out on the counter like you can do with other infusions. Let the bears swim, or should I say drown, in the vodka for several days. You can shake or stir the container once a day. The bears will absorb the vodka and may become a little puffier. After a few days, strain the bears from the juice and keep refrigerated until ready to serve. Serve in a dish, or add to the gummi bear martini.

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