Very Sexy Martini

There’s something inherently sexy about a drink made with sparkling rosé, especially rosé Champagne. The Very Sexy Martini leans into this, adding fresh raspberries and citrus vodka, as well as muddled mint for aromatics.

The drink comes from Kim Haasarud, an experienced bartender with many years behind the stick who founded Liquid Architecture, a bar consultancy agency. Despite its name, the Very Sexy Martini is closer to a take on a Vodka Sour—like a Cosmopolitan or a Lemon Drop—than it is a Martini. A mix of muddled raspberries and mint, citrus vodka, sugar, lime juice and sparkling rosé, it’s the perfect kind of drink for Valentine’s Day or for anniversaries and other romantic occasions. However, it’s important to keep in mind that there’s no need for an excuse to make yourself something that’s a little sweet, a little boozy and plenty pink.

There are plenty of options for citrus vodkas on the market, including standbys like Absolut and Ketel One, as well as newer ones like Hangar One Buddha’s Hand vodka from the San Francisco Bay Area. Whatever you might have on hand for drinks like the Lemon Drop will suit the Very Sexy Martini well.

Similarly, there’s flexibility on what wine to use. Haasarud’s recipe calls for a rosé Champagne by Moët & Chandon, a big-name Champagne label with wide availability. Any rosé from the Champagne region will work, as will many other sparkling rosé wines, such as Cremant d’Alsace or Cremant de Bourgogne. US states, especially along the West Coast, have their own—often more affordable—takes on pink bubbles. Whichever you select, make sure it’s on the dry side before you add any simple syrup to the recipe, or risk an overly sweet concoction.

Because the drink only calls for 1 1/2 ounces of the bubbly, it’s a smart idea to make a large batch of the Very Sexy Martini. Otherwise, you run the risk of a bottle of sparkling wine going flat. Of course, the alternative is enjoying the wine on its own, maybe starting the evening with the Very Sexy Martini and pairing the leftover wine with dinner; luckily, sparkling rosé goes with just about anything, including hard-to-pair dishes like spicy stir fries or barbecue.