So you did a little shopping down at the local health food store. You got to talking with the all-natural hottie working the herbal remedy aisle. A few coffee shop dates later (she orders soy chai lattes) and she's coming by your place tonight to sample the only vegetarian dish you know how to cook, and maybe a cocktail or two.

You need something to serve. Something that shows you're sensitive to her herbal lifestyle. Try pouring a little Sonnema VodkaHERB.

Infused with a proprietary blend of herbs (what isn't infused with a blend of herbs these days?) VodkaHERB is a premium charcoal-distilled grain vodka from Holland. Extremely popular in its home country, the special high-quality herbal blend dates back to the 1700's, to an herb trader in Amsterdam who made packets of "medicinal" herbs for sailors. (Amsterdam. Herb trader. "Medicinal herbs". I like where this is going.)

The exact recipe is a brand secret, but I can tell you it has includes wormwood (which is what absinthe is distilled from), rosemary, gentian root and juniper. The taste is an acquired one if you're drinking it straight, it's not your normal flavor infused vodka. But it does work very well in cocktails, adding an extra flavor dimension you don't get from traditional vodkas.

Here's some healthier lifestyle inspired recipes you can mix for the herbal fan dropping by your place.

www.sonnema.com

VodkaHerbitan
2 2/3 oz Sonnema VodkaHerb
5 branches of Thyme
1/3 oz Maple syrup
1 oz Cranberry juice

Shake all with with ice and double strain into an ice-chilled martini glass. Garnish with a branch of thyme.


A Berry Martini
3 Raspberries
3 Blackberries
2 oz Sonnema VodkaHerb
1/2 oz Freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/3 oz Sugar syrup

Muddle the raspberries and blackberries. Add the other ingredients and shake with ice. Double strain into an ice-chilled martini glass. Garnish with 2 Blackberries and 1 Raspberry on a stick


VodkaHerb Pomegranate
Seeds of 1/2 pomegranate
Dash Sugar Syrup
2 1/2 oz Sonnema Vodka Herb

Muddle the pomegranate seeds gently, try to avoid getting any of the fruit's bitter pith in the drink. Shake all ingredients and double strain into chilled glass. Garnish with a few of the pomegranate seeds. Garnish with pomegranate seeds.