Ask A Pittsburgh Bartender: Your Best Martini Recipe

Martinis, that best-known alcoholic beverage that was once dubbed "the only American invention as perfect as the sonnet," can be made at home. But arguably, it always taste better when served in a bar. Fortunately, after reading this article, you'll be able to do both, thanks to bartender extraordinaire Erin Tobias. Visit her at Steel City Steakhouse in Monroeville every Friday.

Erin 'Heaps' Tobias is a master of domesticity during the day, and a suzerain of nightlife when the moon is out. Nannying for three kids out of her home 40 hours a week, Erin still finds the time to make a mean martini and catch nearly every home Pittsburgh Pirate game with her husband of seven years, Mike. She sat down with CBS Local to talk about the most popular, and her favorite, martinis on Steel City Steakhouse's menu, and give us the directions to make them at home.

• 2 fl oz Chocolate Whipped Vodka
• 2 fl oz Rumchada
• 1 fl oz Creme De Menthe
• Shaved chocolate garnish

Directions:

1. When preparing to combine other ingredients, chill the martini glass by filling with ice and soda water, and place glass in freezer.
2. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice; pour vodka, Rumchada and creme into shaker.
3. Cover, shake and strain martini into the prepared martini glass. 
4. Top with garnish.

Watermelon-Orange Martini

• 3 fl oz Watermelon Pucker
• 2 fl oz Watermelon Schnapps Vodka
• 1 oz Cointreau

Directions:

1. When preparing to combine other ingredients, chill the martini glass by filling with ice and soda water, and place glass in freezer.
2. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice; pour vodka, Pucker and Cointreau into shaker.
3. Cover, shake and strain martini into the prepared martini glass.

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• 1.5 fl oz Hendrick's Gin
• .5 fl oz St. Germain Elderflower liquer
• .5 fl oz white cranberry juice
• .5 oz simple syrup
• Splash of sweet & sour mix
• Lemon slice for garnish

Directions:

1. When preparing to combine other ingredients, chill the martini glass by filling with ice and soda water, and place glass in freezer.
2. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice; pour vodka, Pucker, and Cointreau into shaker.
3. Cover, shake, and strain martini into the prepared martini glass.

Lemonade Martini

• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup strained fresh lemon juice (approx 2 large lemons)
• 1/2 cup chilled vodka (preferable Grey Goose)
• 1 cup chilled, sparkling wine, such as Asti
• Lemon slices

Directions:

1. When preparing to combine other ingredients, chill the martini glass by filling with ice and soda water, and place glass in freezer.
2. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice; pour vodka, sugar, lemon juice, and wine into shaker.
3. Cover, shake, and strain martini into the prepared martini glass.
4. Garnish with lemon slices

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