Flying back from a brief work assignment in Dubai, I decided to have a gin and tonic to help me relax. I happened to be flying over Iranian airspace at the time, while it was also 7am in London. Thus two rules were very thoroughly broken. However, I think an early drink is acceptable when one is flying. It helped me sleep for much of … Continue reading A breakfast gin and tonic in the Middle East
This recipe is very much inspired by Peru. However, I was once accused of being “an evil agent” working for the Chilean government to sabotage the reputation of Peru… a little unforeseen side effect of my unusual career in the murky world of intelligence. Nonetheless, despite the attempted slander I am a firm fan of Peruvian cuisine and drinking culture. I love Pisco and prefer … Continue reading The Tiger Milk Martini
Growing up on an island off the west coast of Scotland, I don’t think I even saw a mango until I was a fully grown adult living on the mainland. However they almost immediately became my favourite fruit. I love their sweetness combined with a zesty taste that reminds me of the smell of pine needles. This pine flavour might be one of the reasons … Continue reading The mango martini
I have previously mentioned that Coriander (cilantro) is the Marmite of the herb world (you either love it or hate it). I have also previously mentioned that I love it. So I infused some gin with it. Coriander is already one of the flavours infused into many gin varieties, although juniper is (or should be) the dominant flavour. Being a traditionalist I would normally want … Continue reading A martini using gin infused with coriander/cilantro
Yes, yes, non-alcoholic. I can’t drink all the time you know. After serving martinis, you might, as I do, find your fridge to be full of bald lemons, shaved of their peel but still bursting with juice. You can use them for all sorts of things, like cooking, putting them in hot water to drink in the morning, making ice cubes, or, as I have … Continue reading Non-alcoholic rose and lemon drop martini
Laura Santtini is a London-based chef with a recipe book that changed the way I looked at food. She describes herself as the genetic equivalent of a Molotov cocktail: half Italian, quarter Persian, pinch of Sephardic and then an English-Irish mix. Her recipe book is full of things you can prepare in a matter of minutes (ie before your friends get to your home via … Continue reading The Laura Santtini Umami Martini
Today was a good day. For a start, it was the first day I left the office this year and it was still daylight for my walk home. However, more importantly… Today is Pancake Day! My favourite saint’s day of all. Valentine’s Day is a horrible endurance of emotional intensity and commercially enforced feelings of low self-worth if you’re single. St Patrick’s Day might have … Continue reading A martini for Pancake Day (Shrove Tuesday)
What do you drink after you’ve consumed two martinis? You don’t want to break the Two Martini Rule. Here is a selection of spirits that you can drink without adding a mixer. Smokey, velvety Mezcal from Oaxaca, Mexico. ¡Salud! Kirchwasser, cherry schnapps from Germany. Prost! Deep, dark, rich, herbal and smoky, this is Balsams from Latvia. Priekā! Some schnapps from Sweden. Skål! And finally my … Continue reading Some other spirits
Here is a little tip my brother taught me. If you need to cool down a bottle of gin and you don’t have a lot of time (say an hour or so) don’t panic, you can do the following: Take some kitchen paper (one or two sheets). Run them under the tap then wrap them around the bottle. Put it in the freezer for an … Continue reading How to cool down your gin very quickly
Two days later and I’m still sick, at home, restless but lethargic at the same time. So here is a post about a hot drink I made to try and alleviate some of my cold symptoms. You will need: -Lemon -Ginger -Garlic -Hot water -Turmeric (optional) -Chilli flakes (optional) -Whisky or brandy or rum (optional) Take a piece of ginger around the size of your … Continue reading A hot drink for a cold
The Martini Socialist 