Goumi Berry Martini for #SundaySupper

06-03-13 Update 2: I have discovered these are Sweet Scarlet Goumi berries. I have changed the title of the post to reflect the correction however the url for it and the photos cannot be changed. If you have arrived here to find a goji berry martini you have my sincerest and humblest apologies.

06-03-13 Update: My apologies! It is a possibility these are not goji berries. I am investigating further and will post another update as soon as I am sure of the type of berry. If you know for sure, please leave me a comment. Thanks!

What would summer be without fresh berries? I can not imagine the season without them. There’s nothing quite like a fresh, ripe, juicy berry. They can be tart or sweet or a little of both. I’ve enjoyed plenty of them over the years. However this year I had the pleasure of trying something new. It started with a conversation over pizza. The next thing I know I am concocting a Goji Berry Martini.**correction** Goumi Berry Martini.

How did a conversation over pizza turn into a martini? We were having dinner out with our friends, Dave and Michael. They told us about their wolfberries which I never heard of before. Of course I was full of questions. Do you bake with them? How do you cook with them? When can I have some? Etc, etc. because I knew this Sunday Supper event was coming. Dave said they have a large seed and not good for baking. Michael and I discussed sauces and syrups and that’s when I had the idea of a martini.

A couple of days later they gave me some berries. I went right to making the fruit simple syrup. Then I started investigating them. I’m a researcher at heart. What I found out is that they are actually goji berries **correction goumi berries** and not wolfberries (sorry guys). Goji berries grow on a bush, are round like cranberries, and are sweet. Wolfberries grow on vines, are oblong in shape, and are sour with a nutty taste. They are both lycium berries which is why people call them either or both interchangeably. Goji Goumi berries have a flavor of cherry plus raspberry with only a tiny bit of tartness.

Fresh goji goumi berries do not last long. Once they are picked you only have a day or so before they start looking pitiful. It is probably why you don’t see fresh ones in markets. The juice or dried fruit is more readily available. Luckily, I have friends who share their fresh picked ones. I can see making many more Goji Goumi Berry Martinis this summer. I can always make strawberry sorbet or blueberry oatmeal crumb bars to use the other fruits from the market. Be sure to scroll down to find links to more recipes by the Sunday Supper bloggers. Cheers!

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Goumi Berry Martini

A recipe for a martini made with the juice of fresh goumi berries, vodka, and citrus. It is a lightly sweet and refreshing beverage.

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes

Total Time 10 minutes

Author Renee

Ingredients

For the fresh goumi berry syrup:

• 1/3 cup water
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 1/3 cups fresh goumi berries

For the martini:

• 1 1/2 ounces vodka
• 1 1/2 ounces goumi berry syrup
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

Instructions

For the fresh goumi berry syrup:

1. In a small saucepan, heat the water and sugar until the sugar dissolves. Add the goumi berries and cook over medium heat until the skins begin to pop, about 3 minutes. Pour through a fine mesh sieve or strainer and press the berries to get out all the juice. Discard the seeds and skins. Chill syrup until ready to use.

For the martini:

1. Place all ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with lemon slices if desired.

Recipe Notes

Total time does not include time for chilling the goji berry syrup.

Are you ready to enjoy the flavors of summer? The talented Sunday Supper bloggers have wonderful recipes to share. Join me in visiting each one and see how they celebrate the season:

Breakfast & Brunch

• Angel Food French Toast with Blueberry Lemon Sauce by Neighborfood
• Blueberry Lemon Baked Doughnuts by Small Wallet, Big Appetite
• Blueberry Rhubarb Baked Oatmeal by Pies and Plots
• Overnight Strawberry Stuffed French Toast by In The Kitchen With KP
• The Best Blueberry Muffin by Supper For a Steal

Sweet & Savory Berry Recipes

• Herbed Pork Tenderloin with Wild Blueberry Sauce by Noshing With The Nolands
• Red, White, and Blue Chicken Salad by MarocMama
• BBQ Strawberry Pizza by Jane’s Adventures in Dinner

Jams, Jelly, Sauces & More

• Blackberry Ketchup by Healthy. Delicious
• Four-Berry Jelly by Blueberries and Blessings
• Mixberry Jam with Merlot by The Urban Mrs
• Roasted Strawberry Tarragon Butter by Gourmet Drizzles
• Strawberry Freezer Jam by Growing Up Gabel

Desserts

• Strawberry Crumb Bars by The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
• No-Bake Frozen Berrylicious Cracker Cake by Shockingly Delicious
• Strawberry Cream Cheese Dessert by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
• Fruit Salsa with Cinnamon Sugar Chips by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
• Lattice-Top Blueberry Pie by Hip Foodie Mom
• Caramelized White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake by Vintage Kitchen
• Strawberry Shortcakes by Juanita’s Cocina
• Berrylicious Ice Cream by NinjaBaking.com
• Stove Top Berry Crumble by Peanut Butter and Peppers
• Strawberry Yogurt Popsicle by Mama’s Blissful Bites
• Peggy’s Cove Blueberry Grunt by Kudos Kitchen By Renee
• Chocolate-Raspberry Yoghurt Cookies by What Smells So Good?
• Strawberry Ice Cream by Basic N Delicious
• Financiers with a Summer Berry Salad by The Lovely Pantry
• Strawberry Pretzel Salad by Curious Cuisiniere
• Strawberry-Chocolate Frozen Yogurt Parfaits by The Weekend Gourmet
• Summer Berry Salad with a Honey Citrus Dressing by Runner’s Tales
• Strawberry Pop-Tart Ice Cream by Foxes Love Lemons
• Strawberries with Cannoli Cream by Comfy Cuisine
• Almond Cake with Blackberry Mascarpone Filling by Ruffles & Truffles
• Oregon Strawberry Sundae {Dairyfree} by The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
• Blackberry Pie w/Brandied Whipped Cream by Webicurean
• Vo-Vo’s Famous Strawberry Cheesecake by Family Foodie
• Raspberry Mousse by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
• Mini Strawberry Cheesecake with Walnut Crust by Soni’s Food
• Salted Caramel Strawberries With a Crunchy Nut Coating by Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
• Strawberry Blueberry Stuffed Monkey Bread by Daily Dish Recipes

Cocktails, Drinks & Smoothies

• Berry Berry Smoothie by Momma’s Meals
• Blueberry Infused Vodka by Big Bear’s Wife
• Blueberry Moscow Mule with Homemade Ginger Beer by I Run For Wine
• Goumi Berry Martini by Magnolia Days
• Irish Cobbler by girlichef

Party Planning

• Recipes + Tips to Create A Summer Berry Cocktail Bar by An Appealing Plan

Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter each Sunday. We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET and you do not want to miss out on the fun. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos.

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I’ll be at the Food and Wine Conference in Orlando – will you be there?