A little while back I wrote about a fantastic dinner and the chef’s very clever Dirty Martini Salad at Diner Ross at The LINQ Hotel Las Vegas. What I neglected to share was how to get there… curiously, you must enter the diner only through a secret subway station entrance.
Sip delightful cocktails to the music and trippy sounds of an occasional train passing through the “tunnel” while awaiting your dinner reservation.
Inspired by the fabulous Dirty ol’ Martini served in the subway, here is my version:
The classic gin martini has long been celebrated for its simplicity and timeless elegance, but imagine taking this revered cocktail to new heights. Enter the “Caviartini” – a sophisticated twist that introduces Green Chartreuse, and Caviar & Crème Fraîche Stuffed Olives. This transformation takes the familiar to an unparalleled level, creating a sensory journey beyond the ordinary.
The addition of Green Chartreuse to the classic gin martini introduces a subtle layer of herbal complexity. To push the boundaries of opulence, the Caviartini is garnished with an olive stuffed with caviar and crème fraîche.
To complement the Caviartini experience, indulge in the perfect nibble – Vegetable Chips with a Caviar Crème Fraîche Dip. The crispiness of the chips paired with the creamy dip and briny caviar provides a delightful counterpoint to the martini’s juniper and botanical notes.
So, take a sip, relish the flavors, and let the Caviartini redefine your perception of the iconic gin martini.
I’ve got more of that beautiful Italian Basil from my local urban indoor Frontier Farms. So I’m putting it to good use in a Ginger Basil Martini, a flavorful and refreshing cocktail that combines the zesty and spicy notes of ginger with the aromatic and herbaceous qualities of basil.
Domaine de Canton ginger liqueur is made with a combination of ginger, honey, herbs, and vanilla, which contributes to its sweet and spicy flavor profile. The sweetness from the honey, along with the natural sugars in the ginger, gives the liqueur its distinctively sweet character so there is no need to add any additional sugar or simple syrup to this cocktail.
Place ginger liqueur, lemon juice, and basil leaves in a cocktail shaker. Muddle well. Let sit to infuse for 5 minutes. Add vodka and plenty of ice. Shake vigorously to well-chill.
Strain into a martini glass. (OK to have flecks of basil). Garnish with basil sprig and lemon wedge.
Nibble on the fragrant basil while sipping on your martini! À votre santé!
Joyeux Anniversaire Julia Child! It has been an honor, a passion, and a tradition to celebrate the Chef’s birthday on Taste With The Eyes for several years now.
This year I imagine her dear, long-time friend, Jacques Pépin, inviting her over for an intimate luncheon that begins with her favorite upside-down martini. The first course includes his famous chicken liver pâté with toasted baguette, radishes from the garden with Maldon sea salt and European-style butter, cornichons and cocktail onions.
Joyeux Anniversaire Julia Child! Today would have been Julia’s 108th birthday. It has been a tradition to celebrate her birthday on Taste With The Eyes for the past several years.
This year, let’s raise a toast to Julia with one of her favorite cocktails, the Upside-Down Martini also known as a reverse or “wet” martini, made with five parts vermouth to one part gin. We are going to craft Julia’s special drink with exclusively French alcools.
Noilly Prat was a favorite of Julia’s, a fine vermouth, beautifully crafted by the sea in the South of France. It is made with 14 global herbs and spices such as chamomile and coriander from Morocco, bitter orange from Tunisia, and orris root from Italy.
Diplôme Dry Gin has been produced in France since 1945 from a selection of the finest natural botanicals including genever berries, whole lemons, angelica, saffron, and fennel seed. The original recipe was perfected during WWII in the City of Dijon. At the end of the war, the original recipe became the official gin for the American Army stationed in Europe.
With naturally less alcohol than a traditional martini, Julia would say, “The best thing about a reverse martini is that you can have two of them!” (Full upside-down martini recipe below).
Rouen, France – Novembre 1948
A Historic Re-Creation
Please join me as I re-create Julia Child’s very first meal in France, one that she experienced with her husband Paul Child. The story takes place in Rouen, France in November of 1948.
I originally wrote this post back in 2007. I resurrect it in August, sometimes with a new recipe, to celebrate Julia Child’s birthday. This year I am including a drink that she especially liked, the Upside-Down Martini.
The text is as she describes her meal to us inMy Life in France by Julia Child with Alex Prud’homme, published by Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 2006.
The re-creation photographs are ones that I have taken on my travels; some are from France, others from California, a couple are shot in my own home. I use the sepia tone to give the images the feel of a single place over 70 years ago.
Come, let’s travel back in time and enjoy French food and revel in its perfection via Julia…
Chicken Liver Pâté à la Jacques Pépin
Chicken Liver Pâté Recipe
