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Goumi Berry Martini for #SundaySupper

Goji Berry Martini | Magnolia Days

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.

Goji Berries | Magnolia Days

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.

Goji Berries | Magnolia Days

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!

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

Sweet & Savory Berry Recipes

Jams, Jelly, Sauces & More

Desserts

Cocktails, Drinks & Smoothies

Party Planning

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.

Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here → Sunday Supper Movement

 

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

Recipe Rating




Peggy

Wednesday 12th of June 2013

Can't say I've had the pleasure of having a goumi berry before, but this martini sure does look tasty!

Renee

Saturday 15th of June 2013

It is such a lovely berry. Don't pass up any chance to try one.

Anita at Hungry Couple

Monday 10th of June 2013

Interesting bit of research, Renee. I've never tried any of these, Goji, Goumi or Wolf berries but I know Goji berries are all the rage these days. In any event, the martini sounds great, no matter which berry this is! :)

Renee

Saturday 15th of June 2013

Thanks Anita! Goji, wolf, and goumi berries are really good for you. They are considered a super fruit which is a bonus when making a cocktail.

sunithi

Saturday 8th of June 2013

Such pretty pictures and such a lovely drink ! Thanks for sharing !

Renee

Saturday 8th of June 2013

Thanks Sue!

Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom

Friday 7th of June 2013

I don't even know what a goumi berry or a Sweet Scarlet Goumi berry is so no worries on this! Renee, you are so sweet and diligent to research this and correct everything! all I know is this martini looks fabulous!! LOVE!

Renee

Saturday 8th of June 2013

It's one of the prettiest martinis I've ever made. The color is fabulous and the flavor of those berries is incredible.

Bill

Thursday 6th of June 2013

Hi Renee, Thanks for dropping by my blog today. I'm glad to get to yours. It was great meeting you on Saturday. I'm glad to finally connecting with some other bloggers. This drink looks SO good. I love to try to new fruit with martinis. Excellent photo!

Bill

Renee

Thursday 6th of June 2013

Thanks Bill!