I'm very excited about today's give-away. You see, it gives me the opportunity to introduce you to both a wonderful product and an amazing resource. Not only that, I get to shout-out a blog friend in the process. Let's get to it, shall we?!
Last month, Jessica from Cube Marketplace reached out to me on the advice of blog friend, Erika, from In Erika's Kitchen. Seems that Cube Marketplace was organizing some pre-holiday give-aways and Erika was kind enough to suggest my blog to Jessica. Thanks, Erika!
Cube Marketplace is an online gourmet emporium, specializing in unique artisanal products from around the globe. Jessica offered me two of any product I should choose; one to feature in a recipe and one to give away. Color me delighted! I immediately clicked over to their site and began searching through the staggering array of delights. Soon enough, I fell completely in love with Cube. Quite honestly, it was a bit like turning a kid lose in a candy store. I was torn between the truffle salt, the pine syrup, the cheeses, the vinegars, the mushrooms ... just go ahead and click, you'll see what I mean.
Eventually, I settled on a bottle of Le Pere Pelletier Lavender Syrup. Why, you ask? So I could turn it into an elegant and intriguing cocktail, of course!
Lavender Lemon Martini:
- 3 ounces of premium vodka
- 3/4 ounce of Le Pere Pelletier Lavender Syrup
- 3 to 4 drops lemon bitters
Fill a martin shaker with ice and over it pour the vodka, lavender syrup and lemon bitters. Shake well, until the outside of the shaker frosts, and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a lemon twist or slice. Serve and enjoy, repeat as necessary!
As written this recipe will yield one incredibly delicious and enchanting martini. The lavender flavor is present, but not over powering, and the lemon bitters lends just enough of an edge to compliment the sweet notes.
If martini's aren't your thing, fear not, the lavender syrup can be used in a myriad of ways. You can add it to coffee, tea, ice cream or milkshakes. You can swizzle it into some fresh lemonade for an unexpected twist. You can even bake with it. Can you imagine a chocolate-lavender cheesecake for instance? I can. Heck, I already have and am working it out in my mind as we speak.
Photo courtesy of CubeMarketplace.com
And here's the really good news: you all have a chance to win a bottle of this magical elixir for yourself! To enter: simply leave a comment on this post telling me what you'd like to make with the lavender syrup. You have until midnight on Wednesday, December 9th to enter. One winner will be selected via use of a random number generator. I will announce the winner on the afternoon of Thursday, December 10th. Contest is open to U.S. residents only. Winner must be willing to provide me with his/her name and mailing address so I can send off the syrup. Good luck!
Many, many thanks to Jessica and Cube Marketplace for sponsoring this fun and festive give-away! I can't wait to continue my experiments with the lavender syrup.
Lastly, if your holiday shopping list includes anyone who likes to cook (or eat!), you're sure to find all manner of good things for stuffing those stockings at Cube Marketplace.
Cheers!
