Salted Caramel Martini

One of my favorite takeaways of my birthday trip to Savannah, GA  (after the memories, of course) was a recipe for Salted Caramel Martinis.

It’s possible that I giggled… or perhaps whooped… while clutching the paper the bartender wrote it on in my hand as we drove out of town, too.  Her Salted Caramel Martini is that good.

One of my favorite dinners was the night we ate at a restaurant called Alligator Soul.  It’s on Barnard Street down a flight of stairs.  I opened the door and immediately fell in love.

Our meal was outstanding.  I talk about it in more depth here.  Our server was awesome.  There was little birthday treat on the table for me when we were seated.

The food was delicious.  After dinner, Todd chose a dessert and I followed the lead of the Yelp reviewers who all said the same thing – “order the Salted Caramel Martini.”

Salted Caramel Martini

Van Gogh Chocolate Vodka ~ Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur ~ Irishman Irish Cream ~ Caramel Sauce ~ Sea Salt, Caramel and Cocoa Rim $12

Ok.  I can make that at home.  Right?

Juuuuust to make sure, Todd and I stopped back at Alligator Soul the next night and sat at the bar.   The server the first night wouldn’t give us the recipe but the bartender saw us carefully watching her and kindly wrote it down for us.  (Staff like that bring us back to restaurants, btw!)

So.  Back to making this at home… Well.  Not so fast.

Turns out that you can’t buy all liquor in all states.  North Carolina doesn’t sell Van Gogh Chocolate Vodka.  Or Irishman Irish Cream.

This sent off some panicked emails to family in other states.  “Hi, Doug (father-in-law in Colorado), can you check and see if Colorado sells Van Gogh Chocolate Vodka? No? $@#$%”.  “Hi, Stephen (of-age son living in Charlotte close to South Carolina), can you run to SC and see if you can pick up some Van Gogh Chocolate Vodka?  No? $@#$%”.

Yeah.  According to the recipe, I needed to buy Van Gogh Chocolate Vodka and Irishman Irish Cream while I was still in Georgia, it seemed.  (I guess we’ll have to go visit Savannah again sooner, rather than later!)

Stephen came through and was able to find Pinnacle Chocolate Vodka in SC and I got some Bailey’s Irish Cream here in NC.  He saved the day.

Before you begin your Salted Caramel Martini you first need to mix equal parts of sugar, salt and cocoa powder to rim the glass.  I used a kitchen plate here but you can also get an inexpensive glass rimmer that will store a couple of different things to rim your glass with (salt, sugar, etc.)

Wet the edge of your glass with something that won’t affect the taste (meaning, don’t use lime or lemon juice).  Instead, use a bit of one of the liquors, some simple syrup or even just water.

Dip the glass in the sugar, salt and cocoa powder mix firmly, like you’re stamping an ink pad.  Don’t twist if you can help it, that sometimes does the opposite of what you want and makes it fall off.

This pretty glass, by the way, is a pattern called Maeve, by Waterford.  My grandma left them to me and every time I use them it make me think of her.  Back in my 20’s I used to sell china, crystal and silver for a tabletop company and I am absolutely obsessed with crystal and dishes and flatware and sterling serving pieces.  I love them all!

Caramel sauce is up next.  By the way, after I make caramel sauce I store it in one of these squeeze bottles for easy dispensing.

Now squeeze some some Salted Caramel Sauce into the glass in whatever type of pattern that strikes you.  Homemade salted caramel sauce is actually quite easy to make and tastes so amazing that you’ll never go back to storebought.  Try this recipe here and tell me what you think! #dishanddelish

I love how the caramel puddles at the base because you get a taste of that yummy caramel when you finish the drink!

When we were on our last Carnival cruise on the Sunshine, I attending a mixology class in the Alchemy bar.  At the end of the class, we were given the opportunity to purchase the Alchemy Mixology Shaker Set.  Basically all the gadgets you need to expertly mix up cocktails.  It came with shaker glasses, cocktail strainer (to keep the ice out when you pour), jiggers (to measure the liquor), spoon/muddler, etc.  Here’s a similar set if you need one yourself.

Scoop up a good amount of ice into the larger glass and follow one of the recipes below:

ie. in Georgia, pour over the ice:

2 oz Van Gogh Chocolate Vodka

1 oz Godiva White Chocolate liquor

1/2 oz Irishman Irish Cream

Here in North Carolina, I instead poured:

2 oz Pinnacle Chocolate Vodka

1 oz Godiva White Chocolate liquor

1/2 oz Bailey’s Irish Cream

Shake the liquors well with the ice.

Carefully strain the liquor into the glass so the ice doesn’t plop in and sprinkle a little cocoa powder on top.

Voila!  Your Salted Caramel Martini is ready.  Cheers!

Did you make this recipe?  Snap a pic and hashtag it #dishanddelish. I’d love to see your creation!

Goodies used in the Salted Caramel Martini:

Waterford Maeve (wine glass)

3-Tier Glass Rimmer (if you want one where you can actually store the sugar, salt, etc. for next time)

Wilton Mini Squeeze Bottles (for both storing and neatly squeezing out Salted Caramel Sauce)

Cocktail Shaker Set (similar idea to my set from the cruise… shaker glasses, cocktail strainer, jigger, etc.)

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