Salmon tartare canapés
Olives are the nibble most closely associated with martinis but I always think that seafood is one of the best matches. It’s fresh, cold and goes well with citrus, just like a good martini. Consuming seafood also brings its own element of danger (food poisoning? Mercury?), much like the danger associated with drinking a strong martini. So here is a simple and easy recipe for … Continue reading Salmon tartare canapés
Martinis y tapas
Having spent an amazing weekend in Madrid I thought I would write about the drinking culture in the city and see what inspiration I could draw from a martini perspective. Los Madrileños know how to have fun – without feeling guilty, without getting stressed and without getting post-apocalyptically drunk. If you feel like having a drink or having something to eat then do so. … Continue reading Martinis y tapas
Martini with a sprig of thyme
This is a very simple variation on the classic martini. Thyme is one of my favourite herbs. The mouth-watering smell evokes summertime, or some of the delicious za’tar manouche (savoury thyme-flavoured Lebanese wraps) I’ve eaten in Beirut, London and Dubai. Take a sprig of fresh thyme (I’ve been growing some on the balcony), wash and dry it, then rub it around a chilled … Continue reading Martini with a sprig of thyme
The Beet Up Vesper Martini at the Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town 4/5
Behold, the oddest blog title I have ever produced! But you will see what I’m talking about in the bar review below. I award the above-mentioned cocktail bar 4/5 for its variation on the classic Vesper Martini. Given the strict criteria of my Martini Ratings I could only offer full points upon trying a proper classic martini but if I offer my review in word form … Continue reading The Beet Up Vesper Martini at the Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town 4/5
The Parmesan Cheese Martini
A recipe for a parmesan martini made by infusing vodka with parmesan cheese. Continue reading The Parmesan Cheese Martini
A classic martini with lime
I will keep this post short. I ordered what I thought were 4 limes from tesco online. When it arrived I realised I had, in fact, ordered 4 BAGS of limes. Keen not to let it go to waste, I have so far used them in the following: Ceviche Smoothies Gin and tonics However I have now also tried using them in a martini, … Continue reading A classic martini with lime
The Lorena-san Michelada
This is my Japanese variation of a classic Mexican drink – the Michelada. I have named my version after my friend from Mexico City who introduced me to the concept. It’s not a martini but hey – I can’t drink martinis ALL the time! Plus, summer is coming and this is a great summer drink. It’s very similar to a standard Mexican Michelada, which is … Continue reading The Lorena-san Michelada
Bamboo Charcoal Peanuts
A tasty, black-coloured snack for an unusual martini accompaniment. Continue reading Bamboo Charcoal Peanuts
Mini blini
Here is a highly tasty and versatile nibble from Russia; a country with a huge amount of expertise when it comes to drinking and tradition. While I would normally encourage making things at home, I saw some miniature blini for sale in the supermarket and decided just to buy them for a martini accompaniment. Otherwise, I have seen several good recipes online. I found this … Continue reading Mini blini
More snacks and nibbles to accompany martinis
Here is another selection of savoury snacks I’ve recently served and eaten with martinis. Roasted and salted soy beans. Prawns on lettuce with Peking duck sauce and fried spicy broad beans. You can get a lot of good stuff in IKEA. Fish roe goes well in Swedish croustades. Here are some of the filled croustades, as well as some Japanese nuts and seaweed snacks. Here … Continue reading More snacks and nibbles to accompany martinis