Dirty Martini - A Jamieson tradition

One of the most popular phrases uttered in the Jamieson household is "Gosh, I need a drink". When Mum and Dad were both working full-time, you'd hear it stammered at around about 6.30 p.m as they fell in through the door after a gruelling day's work. These days, with Mum down to a 4-day week and Dad a relaxed retiree, these magic words, and the clinking ring of a silver cocktail shaker start to reverberate in the hallway at about 5 p.m, when most genteel Brits are still having their afternoon tea. 

I am not one to negate afternoon tea, by a long shot. But if there's one tradition that I shall surely maintain, like a Montgomery-inspired retired-colonel stereotype in some wretched Hollywood war movie - it'll be the Jamieson 5 o'clock Martini. Spiffing.

After a year in New Jersey, where I was finally able to indulge in the luxury of nearby Manhattan's sickeningly slick bars and nightspots and dreamt of evenings accidentally spilling caviar onto my bosom in the lobby of the Plaza only to have it delicately plucked off by the slightly too-young son of a Vanderbilt before some reckless elevator nookie, I have become a bit of a fan of the dirty martini. Its nothing glam, or spectacular, but it sounds good, and the olive juice really does give it that little extra something...

Plus the delight of a vermouthy olive at the bottom of the glass is like a treat at the end of an already good day.

Dirty Martini:

(for a classic dry martini simply omit the brine)

2 parts gin

1 part vermouth (Noilly Prat or Dry Martini)

green olive 

a dash of the olive brine to taste.

shake vigorously and pour into a frosted glass.