50 Fathoms Gin from Alaska

This is a lovely gin that makes a good martini and a particularly nice gin and tonic. Before I even tasted it I read that it had won double gold at the World Spirits Competition in San Francisco, the arguable birthplace of the Martini. A good sign! I’m also in love with the branding. Port Chilkoot Distillery is located in Southeast Alaska and makes a … Continue reading 50 Fathoms Gin from Alaska

The Mermaid Inn, NYC 4.5/5

This is one of my favourite places in the world. Oyster happy hour is a must!  I’ve previously mentioned how well seafood goes with a martini, especially the simplistically delicate oyster, so a bar/restaurant that specialises in briny goodness was always going to get me excited.   However, I’ve got to focus on the martini and not get too ahead of myself. Using my martini rating … Continue reading The Mermaid Inn, NYC 4.5/5

How to make an Old Fashioned Cocktail

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

The hot hot Sriracha martini

It’s a thing now. What do Thais and Texans have in common? A penchant for spicy food. I have a good friend, currently in Texas, who recently announced his addiction to Sriracha hot chilli sauce, a fiery concoction from Thailand. A US national and an Arabist, he has a very interesting career and academic background, with some very intriguing (and often hilarious) tales from London … Continue reading The hot hot Sriracha martini