During our mini-honeymoon in New Orleans, we decided to spend an evening on the town, enjoying tapas-style dishes and martinis. We started our evening at Harrah’s Casino. Having taken a 6-mile walk at midday and not having eaten since an early lunch, we decided to have a bite to eat before hitting the gaming tables.

We had done a little research and knew that there was a trendy-looking bar at the casino. However, being a Monday evening, the bar was empty. We decided we wanted to find somewhere more lively. After speaking with a few casino employees, we left the casino and went to Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse.

I have never been to a Ruth’s before, but my new husband has and was certain that we would find good food and drinks there. When we arrived at the steakhouse, we found a decent crowd for a Monday and a pair of seats available at the bar. Perusing their cocktail menu, I opted to order their new specialty drink, the Summer Berry Fusion. I have to admit that this was an excellent decision on my behalf.

This martini was made with a combination of muddling, shaking, and straining. First, fresh blackberries were muddled. To this, Stoli Blueberi and Belvedere Lemonessence, and some ice were added, and the ingredients were shaken. Instead of pouring the martini through the regular shaker-top, a fine mesh strainer was used to avoid getting blackberry seeds in the drink.

This drink had a strong flavor of berry with a hint of lemon, which kept it from being too sweet. It was light and refreshing, the perfect start to an evening of fun.