#008: BLUE MOUNTAIN MARTINI

***Updated 12/21/o8: Thanks to the new iLike widget, you can hear Blue Mountain for yourself. Check out our sidebar -- play a song as you read this entry! We've posted a 5 song sample of some of their early material (it's all that's currently available through the iLike service).

Summer, summer, summer time! Mav and I have been busy down here with assorted side projects and the time-consuming pursuit of tans and pool-side leisure, all sans laptop of course. So while we haven’t been consistent with posting recipes, I assure you we’ve been consistent with drinking cocktails. Time to share…

Back-story: This particular drink was inspired by a recent trip to see one of our favorite bands, Blue Mountain. Mav has been friends with the band members for a number of years, so we try to support them whenever we can. Despite our bias, Blue Mountain is simply superb and considered a seminal band in the Americana/Rock-a-billy/Alternative Country movement. The current incarnation features Cary Hudson on lead guitar/harmonica/vocals, Laurie Stirratt on bass guitar/vocals and Frank Couch on drums/vocals. They’re probably one of the best bands you’ve never heard of for any number of reasons -- geography and timing, included. A quick history: they formed a number of years ago in Oxford, Mississippi, as an offshoot of The Hilltops (another fantastic, now-defunt band featuring Cary Hudson, John Stirratt {of Wilco fame}, Laurie Stirratt and Hank Sossaman). Blue Mountain quickly picked up a huge following, primarily through tours of the Southeast, the Midwest and pockets of the North. The band toured relentlessly (as they still do), turned out three CDs and, right before breaking on the national scene, disbanded due to souring personal relationships. But now, after nearly a decade-long hiatus, Blue Mountain has re-united with a more mature and refined sound. They are one of those bands that creates impeccable CDs (with such excellent musicians, it’s not hard) AND they really shine on stage. You can see them over and over again – each experience is different, each tune arranged a little differently, each set crafted to the band’s whim. They are the sound of true-blue American summer – one of those memory-soaked summers that appeals to anyone, living just about anywhere. Rootsy but not country. Relaxed American rock, with a touch of the blues and just the right amount of twang.

July 2008: We went to see Blue Mountain at an outdoor concert in Waverly, Alabama. They are touring hard as they build into their August release of a pair of new CDs -- "Midnight in Mississippi" and "Omnibus". Mav and I had some time to chat with the trio about their upcoming albums and touring schedule [for more on that, see below] before they took to the stage and started sending their intoxicating music drifting on out into the night. We also obliged their requests for some mixed drinks to take onstage (the “band beer” was skunked). So we made them and now give you…The Blue Mountain Martini. We should note, the band drank this on ice and ahem, perhaps on the stiff side. Feel free to experiment.

Without further ado, the concoction:
1) Vodka – regular or a blend of regular, citron and/or orange will work 

2) X-Rated Fushion Liqueur – this trendy liqueur is a great mixer, especially if you are going for that sweet-tart taste. The label calls the liqueur a mixture of blood orange, mango and passion fruit. When Mav first tried it, the first thing that hit her was grapefruit. I agree the citrus is the primary element here, followed up by a subtle tropical undertone. This is a vodka based liqueur so obviously it blends well with vodkas. I also think it would make a great mixer with tequila, as I’ve always found orange citrus (versus lemon citrus) to be a better match with cactus juice.

***Bonus Drink! TEQUILA SHOT – instead of salt and a slice of lemon, try chasing your shot with an orange slice. The sweetness of the orange helps cut the tequila’s bite.

3) Chambord – any raspberry liqueur will work. For our purposes, it will just serve as an accent

4) Pomegranate juice

5) Fresh lime juice

The recipe:

Mix… 1.5 oz. Vodka
1.5 oz. X-Rated Fushion Liqueur
splash of pomegranate juice
squeeze of lime

Rim… frosted martini glass with sugar and drizzle Chambord down the sides
Shake... Strain...

Pour...  enjoy!

Bye.

Meres

More on Blue Mountain:
Official Website (tour/CD info)
Broadmoor Records (song samples, CD info)
Amazon.com Artist (music for sale / see also iTunes, etc)

Article in Blurt Magazine (click the June cover to view online)

Photo: "Charlotte" by Daniel Coston