The Brassy Blonde Martini

When I left my life in fashion (fashion coordinator for Bloomingdale’s and fashion editor for Cosmopolitan Magazine) in the early ’90s, I bartended on the Bowery when it was the Bowery — halfway houses, soup kitchens, and all — not luxury dorms for NYU and lofts for the wealthy. Mixed cocktails were dominating a sweeping change in mixology, and brands were coming out with flavored vodkas, rum, and other innovations.

When Absolut came out with their lemon-infused vodka, I decided to make the Brassy Blonde, which was recognized by Dale DeGroff, the bartender king, author, spirits brand owner, and the co-founder of the Museum of the American Cocktail in New Orleans.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ Parts Absolut Citron
• 1 ½ Parts Pineapple Juice
• ⅙ Parts Triple Sec
• 1 Pineapple Wedge as a garnish

Method

Add Absolut Citron, pineapple juice, and triple sec into a shaker filled with ice. Shake hard so there is a good amount of foam and strain into a chilled martini glass.

Garnish with the pineapple wedge.

Cheers!

Ty Wenzel

Ty Wenzel is an award-winning writer, designer, and marketing professional with a career spanning fashion, publishing, media, and digital innovation. A recent breast cancer survivor, she began her career as a fashion coordinator for Bloomingdale’s before serving as fashion editor at Cosmopolitan Magazine. Her work has appeared in numerous national publications, including The New York Times, and she is the author of a memoir published by St. Martin’s Press. In 2020, Wenzel co-founded James Lane Post, where she covers lifestyle, real estate, architecture, and interiors. She previously served as a writer and marketing director for The Independent. Her work in journalism, social media, and design has been recognized with multiple PCLI and NYPA awards, including best website design and best magazine. Wenzel is also the founder of the Hamptons-based social media agency TWM Hamptons Social Media, where she develops high-level branding and digital strategy for luxury clients.