The Merchants Tavern in Shoreditch 4/5
Passionate, friendly staff, a wide selection of vermouths and a respect for the classic martini make this place a top scorer. I don’t get out to Shoreditch nearly often enough so I have to thank a lovely friend from back home for getting me out this time. It was a great err… afternoon. Drinking martinis in the daytime is a dangerous pursuit but I … Continue reading The Merchants Tavern in Shoreditch 4/5
Martini Izakaya Dishes
An Izakaya is essentially a type of Japanese pub that specialises in food to accompany drinks. It’s basically my favourite type of drinks setting. I love the post-work, instantly friendly and relaxed atmosphere, completely free of pretension. Comparable to Spanish tapas or Turkish meze, the Izakaya-way is healthier than simply guzzling down a bucket of booze before staggering off for some fish and chips or … Continue reading Martini Izakaya Dishes
A Martini with Hayman’s Gin
I’ve been looking forward to this one for a while. A very good friend and reader of this blog presented me with a bottle of this gin from Haymans. I instantly loved the branding and packaging. The colours, dark blue and gold, were positively regal. So I put the bottle in the freezer and awaiting a visit from my friend so we could have … Continue reading A Martini with Hayman’s Gin
The Gypsy Martini
A sweeter alternative to the classic martini. This one is very straightforward. You will need gin/vodka, sweet vermouth and a jar of maraschino cherries. The following recipe is for a 150ml glass: Add 3 teaspoons of maraschino cherry liqueur to a chilled martini glass. Add sweet vermouth to taste (between 2tsp and 30ml). Add chilled gin/vodka (between 120-140ml depending on the amount of vermouth … Continue reading The Gypsy Martini
The Breakfast Martini
Wake up to something magically taboo. Marmalade cocktails have been around for a long time but the decadent breakfast martini was invented by Salvatore Calabrese in the Lanesborough hotel in London in 2000. It involves gin, marmalade, lemon juice and Cointreau or Triple Sec. Those nice people at Fragata sent me a jar of Marmalade from their native Spain. It tasted so good … Continue reading The Breakfast Martini
The Fiery Ginger Martini
Serving a cocktail in a martini glass and adding a -tini suffix to the end of its name does not make it a martini. A real martini should contain a small amount of vermouth and a large amount of gin or vodka. If you start messing around with this too much you no longer have the genuine article. Acceptable variations include the dirty … Continue reading The Fiery Ginger Martini
A Dirty Martini with lemon olives
A zesty version to lift your dirty martini. Continue reading A Dirty Martini with lemon olives
The Hot and Dirty Martini
Grrrrrrrrrrr This is a very simple variation on the classic martini, and its obviously got a very arresting name. I first had a hot and dirty martini at the Mermaid Inn in New York. It’s an excellent aperitif as it really gets your digestive juices churning. It’s perfect before a special dinner, whether it’s Sunday lunch, seafood, a romantic meal for two or … Continue reading The Hot and Dirty Martini
A garnish like the wings of Hermes
Okay so the title may sound a little bit melodramatic. Nonetheless, I like the style of this simple lemon garnish. I first saw it in the Skylon bar in London’s southbank. It’s very easy to put together. Once you’ve squeezed your lemon peel into the martini glass (remember why this is important) cut it into an elongated diamond shape. Cut a long slit … Continue reading A garnish like the wings of Hermes
Asparagus skewers to accompany a martini
A delicious, crunchy and flavoursome luxury snack for your drinks. Continue reading Asparagus skewers to accompany a martini
The Martini Socialist 