Politics are in uproar. It feels like a full time job just keeping up with the news. My recommended antidote is a cold, strong one; the silver bullet; the elixir of quietude. Plus dogs/cats/plants if you have any to hand. Here is my weekend cure: a classic gin martini with a twist of lemon. The lemons came from the Co-op which I believe to provide … Continue reading Calm
Here is a simple selection of some recent martinis I had. A classic on the balcony. A classic in the kitchen. A classic at the barbecue. More balcony. Even more on the balcony, this time a dirty martini with olives. This time with more olives and fewer clouds. A langoustini. And finally, a candlelit martini with snacks. Continue reading More recent martinis
This is a slight departure from my normal work, but I’ve got a cold and was craving something less potent and more sweet and fruity than a martini. Enter the Old Fashioned cocktail. Apparently emerging in the early 1800s (it might even have evolved towards the late 1700s), this drink is a lot older than a Martini. It also has a reputation for being … Continue reading How to make an Old Fashioned Cocktail
Die-hard martini fans, look away now… This sounds like a very glamorous, American thing to order at a bar: “I’ll take a martini on the rocks“. Conversely, it is a very uncommon thing to say in the United Kingdom. Us Brits tend not to say “on the rocks” for fear of sounding affected. With the exception of obvious drinks such as spirits and mixers … Continue reading A Martini on the Rocks
Gird your loins and lock up your daughters – and sons, for that matter. Martinis cause a lot of confusion. There are many myths out there over things like how to prepare them, how to drink them, who said what about them and where they originally come from. Of course, a drink that contains 6 units of alcohol was always likely to foment … Continue reading The Filthy Martini
This is the simplest guide to making the best classic martini. You Will Need -Gin/vodka -Vermouth -A fresh lemon -Martini glasses In Advance -Put the bottle of gin/vodka in the freezer for at least 8 hours. -Rinse the martini glasses under a tap and put them in the freezer for at least 30 minutes. -Note that I keep my gin and glasses in the freezer … Continue reading How to make a classic martini
I first collected a bottle of this gin in Madrid airport duty free. The unusual branding caught my eye. Made with pure Icelandic water with a traditional English gin technique, it sits in a tall, proud-looking bottle with straight lines and clean imagery. There are strong maritime tones to the bottles appearance. The gin has a crisp, dry flavour that you can lose in … Continue reading A Martin Miller’s Gin martini
Just an assortment… A classic at home. My favourite non-classic: the Japanese pickled ginger martini. A dry classic martini at a French restaurant in Soho, London. A green tea martini. A sexy Gibson martini. My auntie has two gorgeous dogs. Here’s one of them looking somewhat morosely at Dad’s empty martini glass. And here is the other one. Happiness is drinking a martini with a … Continue reading Recent martinis for World Gin Day
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
Setting and atmosphere are very important when it comes to serving a martini. Lighting and company play a part, but so too does the accompanying soundtrack. It could be rain on the window or the roaring of a fire, it could be a live singer or even an orchestra. Ideally it should be quiet enough for you to hold a conversation with your partner or … Continue reading Martini Music
