This is a serving for Autumn, or Fall, depending on your culture. Summer has officially ended in the Northern Hemisphere. As the leaves change colour and warm weather fades, a new crop of natural goodness appears from the land. Blackberries have come into season and they are widely available in producing regions. There is something whimsical about marking the passage of time and seasonal produce … Continue reading A Martini with Blackberries
This is a beautiful, intimate restaurant in Dervaig on the Isle of Mull, Scotland, sourcing a wealth of good quality local produce. Continue reading BYOB at Ar Bòrd, Dervaig
Just another selection of recent martinis… A dirty one. A clean one. Both dirty and clean – photograph courtesy of Dr. Kirsty. Watching the sun set. Seeing the moon rise. Feeling the summer fade. Watching seasons come and go in general. I guess one thing about a martini is taking the time to pause and enjoy things. They are the most ‘zen’ of drinks and I … Continue reading Some more martinis
I recently enjoyed a discovery taster menu at the beautiful Michelin-starred Greenhouse restaurant in London’s Mayfair area. I didn’t have any martinis as I didn’t want to spoil my palette before the dining extravaganza but the setting was beautiful, the food utterly inspiring and the service convivial and professional; in-depth but relaxed. What a treat! It certainly set my martini-obsessed brain into overload thinking of … Continue reading Fusion Food: Seaweed Butter for Martini Canapés
This is dead easy. Asparagus is tasty and a bit of a luxury so it naturally pairs well with a martini. I love its distinctive flavour, visual appeal and most of all, its satisfying fresh and crunchy texture. My brother and I were having a martini before dinner, but after we had drunk the first one we really just wanted to have … Continue reading Asparagus skewers to accompany a martini
This is a very simple recipe for a snack that may or may not taste like fragrant Pringles made for the Gods… While coriander is my favourite herb (controversial, I know), I also love sage. I previously made a sage-infused gin which goes nicely in a gin and tonic. However, this sage recipe is very easy and infinitely faster than making an infusion. Instructions Pick around … Continue reading A martini with sage
This is how to take the natural sting out of a nettle leaf and replace it with the more subtle but no less painful sting of vodka. Does it ever feel like nettles are taking over your garden… and your LIFE? If so, don’t panic! Alcohol will come to your rescue. Apparently the Romans imported nettles (Urtica dioica) to the British Isles so that they … Continue reading The Stinging Nettle Martini
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
I have sage growing in the garden so I thought I would make good use of it. When infused in gin it adds a subtle dimension to a martini. It also goes very well in a gin and tonic. Pick a generous bunch of sage leaves, approximately 15 per 100ml of gin you intend to infuse. Wash, pat dry, then roughly chop the leaves. Add … Continue reading How to make sage-infused gin (for martinis or gin and tonics)
While I was jogging this morning I was arrested, not by the intense heat, the failing of my heart or the police, but by the scent of jasmine flowers growing on a bush in the neighbour’s garden. As usual, my first thought was ‘how do I martini-fy this?’ I picked a handful (don’t tell the neighbour), but I’m sure you could use normal jasmine tea. … Continue reading The Jasmine martini
The Martini Socialist 