Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?

This is one of the most viewed pages on the site. It’s a Dirty Martini with a dash of Tabasco Sauce added to taste. It really whets the appetite – and titillates the dinner table.

While the martini was described as the only American invention as perfect as a sonnet, Tabasco Sauce, which came into being at around the same time as the martini, is a very close second.

It is both highly affordable, yet served at some of the most luxurious settings, from seafood platters to royal households.

It was even given Royal Appointment status by Her Majesty the late Queen Elizabeth II.

With its bright red hue, the salt, savoury and fiery flavour, this world-conquering Louisiana hot sauce is almost addictive to me.

I often crave a spicy tomato juice. I love both Virgin and Bloody Marys. I add it to my chips (fries) in place of vinegar. It’s always in my prairie oysters.

It’s never far from hand when I serve real oysters either. And it contributes to some of the most tantalising martini variations. Here they are:

Martinis Made with Tabasco Sauce

The Spicy Martini

This is a really simple take on the classic martini. You add a dash of Tabasco Sauce to taste and garnish, if not with a twist of lemon peel, some form of pepper, roasted or preserved, or even an elegant,peppery nasturtium flower as above. Delicious!

The Langoustini

This is a martini served with some form of shellfish such as a boiled langoustine, squat lobster, shrimp or prawn. It’s beautifully livened up with a dash of Tabasco Sauce to taste.

The Hot ‘n’ Dirty Martini

The Spicy BJ Martini

Continuing the theme of titillation, this variation is actually named after my glamorous air hostess Aunty. It’s a Gibson Martini but made with pickled beetroot and a dash of Tabasco Sauce to taste.

A Classic Wonder

So you see, Tabasco Sauce has numerous applications. It forms the distinguishing part of several martini variations and spans the breadth of affordability and luxury. To me, it is the epitome of Martini Socialism and is simply delicious.

Bravo and thank you for years of service!