For Homemade Pistachio Liqueur:

Prepare Pistachios: Roughly chop 1 cup of shelled pistachios.

Infuse Vodka: Combine chopped pistachios with 1 cup of vodka in a jar. Seal the jar tightly.

Let It Infuse: Store the jar in a cool, dark place for at least 48 hours, up to a week. Shake the jar occasionally to mix the ingredients.

Strain: After the infusion period, strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove all solid particles.

Add Simple Syrup: Stir in ¼ cup of simple syrup to the strained liqueur. Adjust the sweetness according to taste.

Color (Optional): Add a few drops of green food coloring to achieve the desired color.

For Homemade Simple Syrup:

Combine Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup of water with 1 cup of granulated sugar.

Dissolve Sugar: Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer until the sugar is completely dissolved and the mixture has slightly thickened (about 10-15 minutes).

Cool: Transfer the syrup to a mason jar or bowl and let it cool completely in the fridge. It will thicken further as it cools.

For the Pistachio Martini:

Prepare Glass: If desired, rim your martini glass with crushed pistachios for added flair. You can do this by brushing the rim with simple syrup then dipping it in crushed pistachios laid out on a plate.

Mix Ingredients: In an ice-filled shaker, add 2 oz of pistachio liqueur, 1 oz of vodka, ½ oz of dry vermouth, and ¾ oz of heavy cream (if using). If you prefer a sweeter drink, add simple syrup to taste, starting with ½ oz.

Shake: Shake the mixture well until the outside of the shaker feels cold.

Strain and Serve: Strain the cocktail into your prepared martini glass.