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!
Goumi Berry Martini
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:
-
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:
-
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.
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?
Get the best Southern food, wine, and gardening tips!
Subscribe to get our latest content by email.
Lyn @LovelyPantry says
I have heard of Goji Berries but have not been fortunate enough to see/try them. I love cherries and raspberries so chances are, I will love gojis – especially a goji berry martini 🙂 Gorgeous photos, as always, Renee!
The Ninja Baker says
Very interesting, Renee. A bit of cherry and a bit of raspberry all in one! Trust your Happy Hours are extra happy now with your goji berry martini =)
Liz says
Lucky you with the fresh goji berries! I hope to try them one day. Till then, I’ll just gawk at your gorgeous berry martini….ahhhhh….
Heather @girlichef says
I have never tried…or even seen…fresh goji berries! This sounds like the perfect summertime cocktail, Renee.
Diana @GourmetDrizzles says
What a fun recipe, and this photo screams of Summer- BEAUTIFUL! I’m a researcher at heart too, so I enjoyed learning about the goji berry!
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
What a great recipe! I never had a goji berry!!
Helene D'souza says
So wolfberries is just another name for goji berries or is that wrong? Ah you are like me Renee, always full of questions when new foods are introduced. I wish I could get to taste goji berries once, I have heard so much! Of course I wouldn’ t mind to start with your lovely looking martini!
Renee says
Wolfberries and goji berries are technically not the same thing. They come from the same berry family and people get them confused.
Beate says
I was waiting desperately for your post as I had not heard of Goji berries before. Thank you so much for the education on them, Renee 🙂 This martini looks absolutely out of this world, and I would love to have of those 🙂
Hezzi-D says
Beautiful photo. I’ve never had a goji berry before but now I want to run out and find some to make this gorgeous martini!
Laura Dembowski says
I would love to try some fresh goji berries! And I can’t think of a better use for them than in a martini.
kathia says
I need to try this, never have goji berry before.
Katie says
I’d heard of goji berries before, but I’ve never known much about them! Thanks for the little lesson…and I am so intrigued to try them now! The color of that martini is seriously gorgeous…looks like I’ll need to shake one up for myself!
Renee says
It is a pretty martini and I love the color of it too.
Camille says
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a goji berry! What a great way to use them, though.
Renee says
Thanks Camile! It was a first for me too.
Tammi @ Momma's Meals says
WOW how refreshing and delicious does this look! You sure know how to make a pregnant Momma want a drink teehee! 🙂
Renee says
Thanks Tammi! It won’t be long and you can have a martini again.
Mabelle Qiu says
Hi, i am a Chinese farm owner from Ningxia—-Goji hometown, the pic you show is not fresh goji, emm. You can contact me for more details about goji.
Mabelle
My email: [email protected]
Renee says
Thank you Mabelle! Because of you I have discovered they are actually Sweet Scarlet Goumi Berries. I have made corrections to my post.
Stacy says
Anything in a martini glass makes me happy! There is just something festive about that shape. Whatever your berries end up being, that is one fabulously refreshing drink! And beautiful photos, Renee!
Renee says
Thank you Stacy!
Sarah Reid, RHNC (@jo_jo_ba) says
I’d love to try a fresh gogi! They look like currants and are so cute
Paula @ Vintage Kitchen Notes says
This is a great cocktail you put together Renee! No matter what berry it is. And speaking of which, the person who told you they were not goyi berries, how come they didn´t also tell you what they actually were? Are you sure they are correct?
Anyway, the color is wonderful too!
Renee says
The person who told me they were not goji berries is a goji berry farmer in China. They may not know what type of berry it is only that it isn’t goji.
Trish @infinebalance says
I was just going to leave you a comment that I have never seen fresh goji berry’s before… but now I see your update! 🙂 Whatever they are, they sure look fresh and bright. I’ll take some anyway
Soni says
Whatever variety they are they sure look and sound delicious!I love the gorgeous color and a Martini seems perfect to use them in 🙂
Linda | The Urban Mrs says
Very interesting! I’ve heard of goji berries before, but never in the form on martinis. People say that it tastes really good, I’m sure your recipe screams the same thing, too.
Family Foodie says
This martini sounds delicious, and the color is beautiful! Can never turn down a good martini!
Tara says
Alas we are human and make mistakes. I was just completely berated for a spelling error. I have never seen these berries before but that martini sure looks great!!
Megan says
Goji or Goumi, the drink looks perfect and so does the recipe!!!
Jane's Adventures in Dinner says
Neat! I’ve heard of wolf berries too. I’ll have to make sure that they are goumi/goji berries.
Nancy @ gottagetbaked says
I’ve never seen any of these berries fresh in real life, so don’t feel bad, Renee! That was one hawk-eyed reader in China to notice that these weren’t gojis! Whatever they are, they sound delicious and this martini looks amazing. I’d gladly drink it without question!
Renee says
I doubt I would have ever seen them fresh if it had not been for my friends. They are so good though. I can’t wait to get more.
Lori @ Foxes Love Lemons says
Well, if you only have a day to eat them, you have no other choice but to turn them into a cocktail, right? I think so!
Renee says
I absolutely agree – Cheers!
Bill says
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 says
Thanks Bill!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
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 says
It’s one of the prettiest martinis I’ve ever made. The color is fabulous and the flavor of those berries is incredible.
sunithi says
Such pretty pictures and such a lovely drink ! Thanks for sharing !
Renee says
Thanks Sue!
Anita at Hungry Couple says
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 says
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.
Peggy says
Can’t say I’ve had the pleasure of having a goumi berry before, but this martini sure does look tasty!
Renee says
It is such a lovely berry. Don’t pass up any chance to try one.