Cook It: Turtle Tini (Instructional video)

Cookit! Turtle Tini

A signature cocktail from the Turtle Club ...

Photo by CARRIE WISE // Buy this photo

Bartender Barry Larkin prepares a Turtle Tini, a signature cocktail at the Turtle Club Restaurant in Naples. The fruity drink includes orange rum, grenadine, triple sec and pineapple juice.

Photo by CARRIE WISE // Buy this photo

The Turtle Tini is a signature cocktail at the Turtle Club Restaurant in Naples. The fruity drink includes orange rum, grenadine, triple sec and pineapple juice.

NAPLES — Barry Larkin has been a bartender for 14 years and for the last seven at the Turtle Club, 9225 Gulfshore Drive, Naples, 592-6557.

Larkin’s hometown is Pittsfield, Mass., but he has been a resident of Naples for 20 years. His dream is to open an Irish Pub that would serve tons of Irish stew and Guinness on tap with a full liquor bar to make some of his favorite drinks. One of them being a Skyy martini that he would love to drink in the company of Anthony Bourdain and Lance Armstrong. He picked Bourdain for his cooking knowledge and Armstrong for his inspiration. It would be a lively conversation while enjoying a smooth drink.

Larkin’s busiest day at his bar is Saturday in season, but his regulars come every day during the summer to enjoy their drinks and the best view of the Gulf in town. The regulars like the quiet and cool breezes from the water during the summer. Most enjoy the blue water, blue sky and blue cheese olives in their Absolute drinks that are shaken vigorously by Larkin and his co-workers. Life is truly a beach.

Here is a recipe for the restaurant’s take on the martini.

Turtle Tini

Ingredients

2 ounces Bacardi O

½ ounce Triple Sec

Splash, pineapple juice

Splash, grenadine

Ice

Orange slice for garnish

Preparation

■ Place ice in a shaker.

■ Pour all the liquids into the shaker.

■ Shake vigorously.

■ Strain into a martini glass.

■ Garnish with an orange slice.

■ Sip slowly and enjoy.