Original Recipe

• The martini, a drink that is straightforward in its preparation and flavor but mysterious in its origin, has long been a symbol of sophisticated drinking. The original martini began as a gin cocktail, chilled by stirring and paired with a whiff of dry vermouth. Over time, the martini began to include other liquors, with the most prominent one being vodka. For either a classic gin or vodka martini, pour five parts gin or vodka and one part dry vermouth on ice, stir, then garnish with olives or a lemon twist.

Fruity Facts

• Guava fruit is found throughout Latin America and many other tropical locales. Most ripe guavas will have a crispy texture not unlike an apple, and, depending on the color of guava, will have either a sweet or sour flavor. Guava in martinis is actually just the juice of the fruit, which is usually either a shade of pink or orange. The juice is sweet, and may often taste like mangos or other tropical fruits.

Guava-Licious

• Guava martinis can be made two ways: straight up like a regular martini or blended like a frozen daiquiri. For a straight up guava martini or guavatini, pour three parts each vodka and guava juice and a few splashes each of lemon juice and simple syrup into an martini shaker filled with ice, shake for 10 to 15 seconds, then strain the drink into a chilled cocktail or martini glass and garnish with a lemon twist. For the frozen version, called a pure guava martini, fill a blender with ice, four parts vodka, two parts guava juice, one part raspberry liqueur and a splash of lemon juice, blend, then garnish with a mint sprig and raspberries.

Sauced Suggestions

• Guava juice is a nice addition to cocktails other than martinis. Many more adventurous and tropical margaritas call for guava juice as an ingredient, such the guavarita, which has tequila, guava juice, lime juice and basil, and the very spicy guava-jalapeno and guava-red chili margaritas. Guava juice also works in rum-based drinks such as mojitos, daiquiris and tropical punches. For cocktails more like guava martinis, substitute half of the cranberry juice in a vodka-based cosmopolitan with guava juice or substitute a third of the orange juice in a vodka screwdriver.