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 Dirty Martini with lemon olives

This is a very tasty variation on a classic.    It’s just a normal dirty martini but with an extra sour-silken touch of citrus.   I’ve mentioned previously that Fragata kindly sent me a box of goodies to try out. I usually eat their olives stuffed with anchovies but now I’m trying out their olives stuffed with lemon. While I still prefer to eat their … 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

Oysters: a Timeless Martini Accompaniment

In my opinion, one of the nicest, most simplistic nibbles to accompany a martini is the humble oyster. This mollusc has been consumed for millennia. Sometimes seen as a food for the poor, its reduction in availability over recent decades has led to its rise as a more exclusive culinary luxury. Nonetheless, whatever it’s historically fleeting association with status, I see it as a timeless … Continue reading Oysters: a Timeless Martini Accompaniment

Another selection of recent martinis

Here are some I made earlier… A frosty classic. A lemon drop martini with foam. An earl grey martini LINK with foam. A spicy Sriracha martini LINK A dirty Mr. Gibson (combining this with this) A tribute to the God of dirty martinis. A frosty classic with mixed nuts. A Gibson with olives and sliced pickled gherkins. Here’s a classic martini I made for my … Continue reading Another selection of recent martinis

The Squid Ink and Octopus Martini

    This one goes by many names… The Octopus-tini The Octopussy Martini The Loch Ness Monstini The Nautilus-tini The Maritime Martini The Tako-tini (tako no matini / タコのマティーニ) And finally, the Spectre Martini Add squid ink and octopus tentacle soaked in balsamic vinegar to make an unusual variation of a dirty martini and Le Jacques Coustini.    Get yourself some sea legs by drinking one … Continue reading The Squid Ink and Octopus Martini

The simple guide to making a dirty martini

While I waited for dinner to cook I was craving something salty so I whipped up a quick dirty martini (as you do). -Vermouth to taste -Olive brine to taste (I use roughly the same amount of brine as vermouth, but my brother likes 3 teaspoons of brine) -Gin/vodka for the rest I squeezed in some lemon oil from a piece of peel but then … Continue reading The simple guide to making a dirty martini