Vodka makers just keep pushing the envelope when it comes to developing new infusions. Case in point: the new flavored vodkas from the UK's ultra-premium vodka-maker Three Olives.

Their new Triple Shot Espresso isn't that unusual. Only in that it one-ups their competition's Double Shot. It's the other two flavors that raise eyebrows - Tomato and Root Beer.

Tomato-flavored vodka may sound completely ridiculous - until you read the entire flavor profile: fresh tomatoes, pepper, horseradish and spices. Instant Bloody Mary. And killer ingredient for adding serious heat to other cocktails.

And their root beer infusion isn't some kid stuff. It's got a spice-filled combo inspired by the classic root beers of the 1800's, with vanilla, cherry tree bark, licorice root, sarsaparilla root, nutmeg, anise, and molasses. Full flavored and able to stand up to a number of strong ingredients for serious drinks. (Or vanilla ice cream for an adult root beer float. Recipe below.)

To give you an idea of how these unusual new flavors can enhance your cocktail-mixing here's a few recipes to try this weekend. For more, hit www.threeolives.com.

Diablo Rojo
2 oz Three Olives Tomato Vodka
Splash of Bloody Mary mix to taste
Couple dashes Hot Sauce
Sliced jalapeno peppers
Mix in a glass filled with ice. Garnish with speared peppers.

Tomojito
2 oz Three Olives Tomato Vodka
Cherry Tomato ...More

Adding to their growing portfolio of flavored vodkas, (and proving they still don't have spell check over there), Stoli has introduced their newest infusion, Stoli Blakberi.

Made with natural blackberries married to their traditional Russian vodka, Stoli says its newest flavor's taste and aroma make it perfect for using in the many new "herbal" cocktails that call for ingredients like basil, sage, mint and lavender, that sound strange, but are gaining popularity.

If you want something unusual and don't mind some herb in your drink (which tastes better than it sounds), here are a few that are great for starting off the summer. More can be found at stoli.com.

Blakberi Blues (pictured)
2 parts Stoli Blakberi
1 part Stoli Blueberi
1 part cranberry juice
1 part simple syrup ...More

A while back, I wrote a piece about classic drinks using bitters along with some updated recipes. (Read it here.) A few of you wrote and asked for more. As usual, I'm there for you.

Averna, the Italian amaro (a sweeter version of traditional bitters), I wrote about, held a nationwide search for the best cocktail recipe using their liquor. The five winners will head to Sicily in September to see whose is the best. In the meantime, just so you can invite a few people (read: "women") over and hold your own competition, those five winning recipes are below. They're a little complex, but I think you can handle it. Saulte!

San Francisco Winners:
Jeffrey Hollinger, Absinthe Brasserie & Bar
Midnight In Sicily
1 1/2 oz Amaro Averna
1 oz Tanqueray Gin
1/2 oz "Sicilian Style" Blood Orange agrodolce (sweet and sour sauce)
5 to 6 mint leaves
Flamed blood orange rind, for garnish

Combine ingredients in an ice filled cocktail shaker and shake for 20 to 30 seconds, or until well chilled. Double strain through a fine meshed strainer into a chilled cocktail glass. ...More

Made with Cuervo Black tequila instead of whiskey, the Black Julep works just as well as a Kentucky Derby drink (had I actually posted it for you last Saturday), as it works for celebrating Cinco de Mayo.




Black Julep
3 oz Cuervo Black Medallion
10 mint leaves
1 1/2 tsp extra fine sugar
Seltzer
Crushed ice
Mint sprig
Place mint leaves in the bottom of an old-fashioned glass or julep cup and add sugar. Crush with muddler or wooden spoon until the leaves begin to come apart. Add a splash of seltzer, fill glass 3/4 full with crushed ice, and add tequila. Top with another splash of seltzer, stir, and garnish with mint sprig.

Everyone knows what the Mexican holiday, Cinco de Mayo, is all about: it's an excuse to drink more tequila than any human should. But this year it falls on a Monday. Which means many of us will be celebrating all weekend. And calling in "cinco" on Tuesday.

I'll have several tequila cocktails over the next few days you can mix to make your party muy especial. The first is from premium tequila maker, Don Julio. This recipe was developed by Brian Van Flandern, a mixologist who has crafted cocktail menus for celebrity chefs like Mario Batali. Light and simple, with a crispness brought on by the ginger, it's an impressive drink to pour for your CdM celebration.

Agave Ginger Margarita
1 oz Don Julio Blanco
1/4 oz Grand Marnier
1 oz Fresh Lime Juice ...More