For this month’s Martini page, Nightclub & Bar turned to the South’s first and foremost lady of libations –– the city of New Orleans. Recently opened post-Katrina, the new Harrah’s Hotel, across from the already established casino, is wining and dining patrons in Todd English’s new restaurant, Riche, and offering them an after-spot for jazz and appetizers in the adjoining 528 Jazz club.
    With Gordon Biersch Brewery, Bambu sushi restaurant and other drinking spots, the group at Harrah’s has devised more than one creative way to shake a Martini. They shared five scintillating recipes with us.

Sex on Apeach Martini
    1 1/2 ounces Absolut Apeach vodka
    1/4 ounce peach schnapps
    1/4 ounce Chambord
    1 ounce cranberry juice
    1 ounce pineapple juice

    Combine Absolut Apeach, Peach schnapps and juices. Pour into cocktail glass and drizzle Chambord down inside of glass.
 
Chocoholic Martini
    1 1/2 ounces Grey Goose Vanilla Vodka
    1 1/2 ounces Godiva chocolate liqueur
    1 ounce Crème de Cacao

    Fill mixing glass with crushed ice and add Crème De Cacao, Godiva Choco liqueur and Grey Goose. Drizzle chocolate syrup on side of cocktail glass, shake and strain into glass. Garnish with shaved chocolate.
 
Banana Split Martini
    1 ounce Boru vodka
    1 ounce Godiva chocolate liqueur
    3/4 ounce Crème de Banana
    1 ounce cream

    In mixing glass, blend all ingredients. Shake and strain into cocktail glass. Garnish with slice of pineapple and a cherry.

Key Lime Martini
    1 1/4 ounces Cruzan Vanilla Rum
    1 1/4 ounces Midori Melon Liqueur
    1 ounce lime juice
    1/2 ounce pineapple juice

    Blend juices and Cruzan rum. Pour into cocktail glass; then float Midori into drink. Garnish with twist of lime.

Mocha Miniskirt Martini
    1 1/2 ounce Absolut Vanilla Vodka
    1 1/2 ounce Kahlúa
    1 ounce Godiva chocolate liqueur

    Add vodka, Kahlúa and Godiva liqueur to a martini shaker with ice. Shake well and serve in a chilled glass. Garnish with an orange.