BELLADONNA

BELLADONNA

2 ounces orange or other citrus vodka

1 ounce Cointreau

1 ounce sour mix

½ ounce cranberry juice

1 lime wedge for garnish

BELLADONNA means beautiful lady in Italian and its namesake cocktail can make any woman — Italian or not — feel beautiful. Yes, it’s a strong drink, but that’s not what will make you feel beautiful. It’s the color, taste and class of the BELLADONNA cocktail that will make you feel attractive.

For an instant make-over, start by filling a martini glass with ice. While the glass is chilling out, fill a shaker with the ingredients above. I used Absolute Citron Vodka, but a blood orange vodka would work best. And don’t forget my favorite square bottle — Cointreau. It makes everything better. After you have it all in the shaker, add ice and shake with vigor. Then discard the ice from the martini glass and strain the pale pink liquid into the glass. Garnish with a lime wedge and drink immediately.

I think you’ll agree that the BELLADONNA is not only pretty, it’s a pleasure to drink. The citrus flavor is just right and it blends well with the sour mix, without making you pucker. It invites you to sit up straight and sip delicately, then order another and get all sloppy by the third one. The BELLADONNA recipe came from the cocktail book, In the Land of Cocktails. The cocktail is named after a luxurious day spa in New Orleans. Very appropriate.

Drink Up^

Cocktail Connie