What About Martinis?

[floridanative]

My huband and I frequent museum functions where the caterer serves appletinis, cosmos, etc as well as beer and wine. Most of the vodkas they offer are potato or corn based so they are gluten free. But the caterers don't know what's in the mixes....they just have large white bottle marked appletini or other flavors. I've called every manufacturer of all the mixes I can find and they are all gluten free and I have no issue making my own drinks at home with them. Does anyone know of an instance where a non gluten free mix could be used? For now I order CA white wine when at the catered functions and when dining out to be safe but I'd like a martini if ever possible. Any thoughts or experiences others can share?

[Mango04]

That's a very good question. I drank an amazing vanilla mojito martini the other day. I probably should have been more careful, but it did not make me sick. Hmmm...wish I had more insight on this.

[CeliaCruz]

Yeah, that IS a good question.

I am a self-confessed Other-tini whore. The more infusions and exotic liqueurs added, the better! But ever since I was diagnosed, I've been really careful about sticking to a classic Vodka martini with a twist...or vodka and soda. But I've long suspected that there probably are plenty of cocktails out there that would probably be safe...if I bothered to do the research. A couple of weeks ago, I ordered a vodka and soda from a bartender and when he served it to me (I wasn't paying attention to what he actually poured because I was talking to a friend), it had a raspberry flavor. I had already had two drinks so I was pretty lubricated and I figured that the damage had been done -- if any -- by the first sip, so I drank the whole thing. It was delicious. And I had no symptoms thereafter. So I'm starting to think that I should be able to "branch out" but I have no idea how to research these things...unless I learn from accidents like that one.

[floridanative]

You made me LOL CeliaCruz - I forgot that something I was thinking of trying is to order vodka w/cranberry jc. and a slash of Sprite. As long as I can see the brands they use (ocean spray and sprite are gluten-free), that is close enough to a cosmo for me. Now I can't do that at the catered functions of course but most any bar will serve you a vodka/cranberry with a splash of sprint...oh and put mine in a martini glass please. Yes I'll be trying this next weekend!

[CeliaCruz]

Aw thanks!

Come to think of it, a real cosmopolitan is fresh lime juice, vodka, cranberry juice and cointreau (or triple sec or Gran Marnier) and all of those things are (or can be) gluten-free. Not everyone makes a proper cosmo, mind you -- sometimes they use prepared mixes -- but if you are dealing with a good attentive bartender, you can have him (or her) make one for you.