A Brunch Creamsicle Martini & a Giveaway
This year I wanted to do something a little different for Mother’s Day brunch. The food always includes some new dishes but after many (many) years of mimosas, it was starting to feel like a beverage rut. So this year I am making Creamsicle Martinis.
Crreamsicle Martini
The inspiration behind this shakeup comes from Nielsen-Massey, premier producer of fine vanilla products. They sent me a jar of vanilla paste to promote using vanilla in cocktails. Truthfully, I’d use vanilla in just about anything! And since Nielsen-Massey is so well regarded, I knew I’d be getting started right.
Did you know that vanilla comes in variety of forms? Most people are aware of vanilla extract and vanilla beans but vanilla paste and vanilla powder are a couple of other options. A year ago I started cooking with vanilla beans and love the pure flavor and lovely dots of tiny black beans they add to a dish. But sometimes, I would feel lazy and just go back to the extract–which alas is easier. But since this vanilla paste has an amazing vanilla flavor and beautiful flecks of seeds, it is like a “best of both worlds” option.
Vanilla Beans and Vanilla Paste
The other advantage of a vanilla paste or powder over extract is that the flavor is better preserved during heavy cooking. Do you have any recipes that direct you to add the vanilla in when the cooking is complete? This is to keep the flavor at its peak since some of the flavor can actually evaporate in extract form. But the problem is always remembering to add it in. For my sea foam candy/divinity recipe, I am so intent on watching the temperature, I probably forget to add the vanilla 75% of the time. This paste is going in to my next batch right at the beginning! Still confused? Nielsen-Massey has a handy chart with advice.
Creasmsicle Martini Closeup
I had a lot of fun developing a Creamsicle Martini. Since I was hoping to avoid the cloudiness of cream, I went with a whipped cream flavored vodka that I’m pretty sure will go into some awesome chocolate martinis this summer! I don’t know how the family is going to react to the brunch drink changeover yet, but I can tell you my husband was pretty happy to help with product testing. And, truthfully, I’ve never seen anyone get upset about being served fancy martinis.
I decided to rim the glass with some sugar mixed with a little vanilla paste. The paste was a little sticky for this, so next time I’d like to try it with vanilla powder–shopping time! Food blogging is just so tough sometimes…
Dreamsicle Martini with sugared rim
And now for the giveaway… This giveaway is for a 4 oz. bottle of vanilla paste. It is sponsored by Nielsen-Massey and open to US residents. It closes at midnight CST May 24, 2015. To enter, leave a comment telling me what you would like to make with this. For a second entry, follow Art of Natural Living on Facebook and leave a second comment (or let me know if you are already a Facebook follower). The winner will be picked randomly, contacted by email and have 24 hours to get back to me with address and any other needed information or a new winner will be chosen.
- 1 ½ oz whipped cream vodka
- ½ oz cointreau (see note)
- ¼ t vanilla paste
- 2 oz orange juice
- sugar for the rim (optional)
- Combine ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake until well blended.
- Strain into martini glass and serve.
- No cointreau? Raise the vodka to 2 oz and add a bit more orange juice.
I’d use it in my vanilla madeleine’s.
I think a simple vanilla ice cream will be nice.
like you on F
Julie H
I would use it in an angel food cake that I am making for my hubbys bday..
I follow you on facebook as Angela Saver
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I’d use it to make chocolate chip cookies & also in my cake & vanilla frosting!
I’d love to make a cake.
i would like to make marzipan with this
for vanilla frosting.
I follow via fb as colleen busch
I would make my vanilla bean rice pudding.
i followed your facebook page under Amy Tolley
i would love to use this in some homemade vanilla ice cream or cup cakes
following on facebook as Marija Majerle
I would love to use it in cheesecake or pudding.
I would make a homemade ice cream and probably a lot of other cool summer treats for my kiddos.
I would use this in tapioca pudding – the real thing, not instant tapioca.
I follow on Facebook.
I would use this to make cheesecake.
I would make chocolate chip cookies.
I liked you on FB. Thanks for hosting the giveaway!
Id love to make creme brulee with this!
I like you on Facebook, too!
My first thought was that I’d love to make cheesecake with this, but I actually think that it would also make a fantastic homemade ice cream. YUM!
Vanilla paste imparts a more refined taste to baked goods, and sometimes I add it to special pancakes
Wedding cake cupcakes
I think this would be perfect for vanilla frosting. Or vanilla ice cream.
I’d use it in my homemade ice cream or homemade yogurt.
Hmmm….I would probably make a vanilla ice cream soda and some cupcakes.
I would make vanilla ice cream.
I might make some homemade vanilla pudding! Oh the flavor would be amazing!
I’d use it to make Creme Brûlée!
Following on Facebook – Erin Marie
I would use it to bake my lemon pound cake.
I love vanilla in anything! I have a recipe that I’d love to try with this called Strawberry Vanilla Jam. Soon, the strawberries will be in season! I’d also like to make my own Vanilla Lattes…mmmmm!
I would love to make cookies with it
I also follow you on Facebook: Nancy D – – – – – – .
If I won, I’d use this in my baking.
I like on Facebook.
I’d make French Vanilla ice cream.
I follow on Facebook
I would use it to make delicious and simple vanilla icecream.
I am already a FB follower. The martini looks great, can’t have any until after baby.
I would love to use it for frosting.
I would make a pound cake! I’m following you on FB! Thanks!
I think the martini sounds amaaaziiing! I have been showing everybody here at work! Yum.
I would love to use it a vanilla ice cream recipe!
I would use it when making ice cream or baking! and i am a facebook follower
I would use for baking mostly, maybe poundcake.
I would use the vanilla paste in cupcakes and coconut frosting for a special flavoring! I follow on your FB page too!
kymom13 at gmail dot com
French Toast
I love using their vanilla paste for homemade ice cream! I would use it on that now that it is warmer out!
Following on Facebook
I would make my vanilla buttercream frosting with this paste!
I am already a Facebook follower.
I’d make vanilla pound cake.
New Facebook follower 🙂
I’d love to use this in a nice and creamy vanilla bean Panna Cotta.
Honestly, I’m dying to try this creamsicle martini! It looks fabulous! I’d prefer the vodka over the cointreau, though.
Yum! Well, I’d start with this as it looks so refreshing! And then I’d make a cake with some lovely vanilla flavor.
I would like to try this vanilla in a iced coffee latte.
Oooh..I’d make tiramisu…and mousse! And cakes! That drink sounds yummy too.
I’d make vanilla cream sodas!
New follower on facebook
I would say a vanilla cheese cake topped with strawberry. … pregnancy craving
I already follow you (Art of Natural Living) on Facebook 🙂
I have seen this vanilla paste before and it looks amazing. I would make a vanilla cake, with vanilla Italian butter-cream. I am sure I would also find amazing recipes that would showcase this vanilla. Yum.
I follow on Facebook under Lily Wolfe
I would love to make tees leches cake with vanilla bean whipped topping!
I think I would use it to make some cheesecake! yum!
I would like to use it for making a Creme Brulee.
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Already follow you on Facebook!
Your Creamsicle Martini looks so good! I’d like to try the vanilla paste and make one.
i’ve been fiddling around with a creamsicle cocktail myself, though i didn’t know about this whipped cream vodka–that would definitely help! creamsicles are my favorite ice cream novelty and i’ll bet this drink is outstanding.
i’d make 1001 things with vanilla paste, from vanilla cream pie to this very cocktail!
OMG Inger, this martini, sounds and looks awesome…I would love to have a small sip right now…love the touch of vanilla!
Have a wonderful week 🙂
I already follow on fb as ginger starr gisi!
This would be amazing!!! I would make vanilla soufflé most likely 🙂
I love this martini Look delicious!!!
(and Im happy you enjoy the ricotta kuchen when you made!)
I hope to post my recipe I made for my mom tomorrow!
hugs!
I would love one of these Right Now! This sounds fantastic, Inger. What a good idea.
I was thinking a good shortbread cookie but the cheesecake mentioned by another commenter sounds wonderful as well.
This drink sounds fantastic. I love the vanilla paste/sugar rim!
I follow you on fb!
I would make a vanilla bean cheesecake…or poundcake. Yum!
Wish I could enter, but I don’t live in the US.
By coincidence, I just posted a recipe for vanilla cake using N-M vanilla paste. Loved it!
It sounds light and refreshing so I think some grilled Copper River Salmon would pair nicely :).
I would use it in a pound cake. Vanilla pound cake is my absolute favorite.
I am already a Facebook follower as Maryann Drapkin
I would love to use this for a Vanilla Pound cake.
I would love to make a vanilla, sour cream coffee cake with this. Yum! OR vanilla frosting.