Make-at-home martinis

A surprisingly insightful beer commercial once pointed out that we, in Canada, have two seasons: Winter and patio. So, now that we're smack dab in the middle of the outdoor dining season, why not throw an at-home patio party of your own? (Note: You do not actually need to own a patio to have a patio party, but rather any outdoor space in which you can scatter folding chairs.) The true key to a good patio party: Eye-catching, delicious drinks. Of course, blender drinks are messy and overly sweet, wine goes better with dinner parties and beer lacks pizzazz. The only solution: Make-at-home martinis.

Don't worry: You don't have to spend hundreds of hard-earned dollars on various schnapps and creme-de-whatevers to make quality martinis. Sure, the more types of alcohol you have, the greater number of martini permutations and combinations you'll be able to make. But the fact of the matter is -- bartending purists, forgive me -- any reasonably creative and mixed drink served in a martini glass looks fun and sophisticated. Provided you have the very basics in martini-making equipment, alcohol, and garnish, you can win the crowd with a variety of eye and palate-pleasing concoctions.

Simply choose your level of martini-making complexity, as listed below, then shake, stir and pour your way to a smashing patio party. Each recipe makes four martinis. Remember, these recipe selections are just the tip of the ice cube -- experimentation, taste testing, and trial and error are the best ways to devise a killer martini.The Basic

Equipment:
1 martini shaker, plastic or stainless steel OR
1 sealable Tupperware juice pitcher
8 - 12 martini glasses, glass or plastic
1 shot glass

Grocery list:
1 bag of ice
1 2L bottle of Sprite
2 cans of orange juice, frozen concentrated
1 2-L bottle of cranberry juice
4 limes
3 oranges
1 26-oz bottle of vodka
1 26-oz bottle of melon liqueur

Recipe idea:

Cran-Slurpee-tini
8 oz vodka
6 oz cranberry juice

Directions: Fill martini shaker halfway with ice, combine chilled ingredients, and shake. Add a spoonful of frozen orange juice concentrate to each glass, then cover with contents of shaker. Finish with a splash of Sprite, garnish with an orange slice.

The Intermediate

Equipment:
As above, though hopefully you have a real martini shaker and an extra shot glass.

Grocery list:
As above, plus-
1 26-oz bottle of blue curacao
1 26-oz bottle of banana liqueur
1 litre of pineapple juice
1 container, lemon juice
1 jar maraschino cherries

Recipe idea:

The Aubergine
6 oz vodka
4 oz blue curacao
4 oz cranberry juice
Splash of pineapple juice

Directions: Fill martini shaker half-way with ice, combine chilled ingredients and shake. Strain into four martini glasses and garnish with a maraschino cherry.

The Advanced (or Bond, James Bond)

Equipment:
2-3 stainless steel martini shakers
16 pre-chilled martini glasses
3 shot glasses

Grocery list:
As above in basic and intermediate, plus:
1 26-oz bottle of white creme de cacao
1 26-oz bottle of gin
1 bag of Hershey's Kisses (to be kept in freezer)
1 litre peach nectar
1 bottle champagne

Recipe idea:

The Backyard Bellini
12 oz champagne
8 oz peach nectar

Directions: Pour about 2 oz of peach nectar in each chilled martini class. Then, slowly add about 3 oz of champagne to each. Garnish with an orange slice.