Across the nation, in almost every city you will find Martini Bars or restaurants and bars offering martini menus. What is all of the excitement about anyway? Some of the “more hip” Pittsburgh restaurants even employ martini specialists.

This true American cocktail is one of the hottest drinks again this year. The popularity of the martini tends to fade in and out of fashion, but this time it seems here to stay for a while.

The true classic martini is made with Gin. Today, just about everything goes! Any concoction mixed with ice and strained into a martini glass is now known as a martini.

Here are a few new recipes to add to your collection. Enjoy!

blues brother Ingredients (serves two) 4 oz Vodka (Premium Brand) 2 oz Blueberry Schnapps 1 oz Blue Maui 1/2 oz Chambord 1/2 oz Pineapple juice The mix Fill shaker 1/2 full of cracked ice. Pour everything except pineapple juice. Give shaker a good dozen shakes. Add pineapple juice and shake another four times. Stain into 2 well-chilled martini glasses. Garnish with a Blueberries (if desired). classic dry martini Ingredients (serves two) 5 oz Gin or Vodka (Premium Brand) 1 oz Extra Dry Vermouth The mix Fill shaker 1/2 full of cracked ice. Pour ingredients into shaker. Stir or Shake well. Strain into 2 well-chilled martini glasses. Garnish with a green olive. If you garnish with a black olive, the drink is called a Buckeye Martini. If you garnish with a pearl onion, it is called a Gibson. Add a splash of olive brine, it is a Dirty Martini. the wicked monk Ingredients (serves two) 3 oz Vodka (Premium Brand) 2 oz Frangelico 1 oz Blue Curacao 1 oz Southern Comfort 1/2 oz Half and Half The mix Fill shaker 1/2 full of cracked ice. Pour everything except Half and Half. Give shaker a good dozen shakes. Add Half and Half and shake another half dozen times. Stain into 2 well-chilled martini glasses. Garnish with whipped cream (if desired). lemon meringue pie Ingredients (serves two) 4 oz Light Rum (Premium Brand) 1.5 oz Limoncello (Premium Brand) 1.5 oz Grand Mariner 1/2 oz Lemon Juice (freshly squeezed) The mix Fill shaker 1/2 full of cracked ice. Pour all ingredients into shaker. Give shaker a good dozen shakes. Take a lemon wedge and run it around the rim of the glass. Dip rim of glass into graham crackers crumbs to coat the rim. Stain into 2 well-chilled martini glasses. Garnish with a lemon slice and stiff whipped sweetened egg whites or whipped cream (if desired).

rajun cajun Ingredients (serves two) 6 oz Vodka (Premium Brand) or use Pepper Vodka (for more kick) 1 oz Olive Juice 1/2 oz Bloody Mary Mix Dash Hot Sauce (your favorite) The mix Fill shaker 1/2 full of cracked ice. Pour everything in shaker Give shaker a good dozen shakes. Stain into 2 well-chilled martini glasses. Garnish with one each on a skewer olive stuffed with pickled jalapeño, cherry tomato and pepporocini (if desired). chocolate raspberry DHL martini Ingredients (serves two) 4 oz Raspberry Vodka (Premium Brand) 2 oz Godiva Chocolate Liqueur 1 oz Chambord 1/2 oz Half and Half The mix Fill shaker 1/2 full of cracked ice. Pour everything except Half and Half. Give shaker a good dozen shakes. Add Half and Half and shake another half dozen times. Stain into 2 well-chilled martini glasses. Garnish with whipped cream, fresh raspberries and drizzle chocolate sauce on top (if desired). key lime pie Ingredients (serves two) 3 oz Vanilla Flavored Vodka (Premium Brand) 2 oz Pineapple Juice 1 oz Midori 1/2 oz Sweet and Sour Mix 1/2 oz Half and Half The mix Fill shaker 1/2 full of cracked ice. Pour everything except Half and Half. Give shaker a good dozen shakes. Add Half and Half and shake another half dozen times. Take a lime wedge and run it around the rim of the glass. Dip rim of glass into graham crackers crumbs to line the rim. Stain into 2 well-chilled martini glasses. Garnish with lime (if desired).