Drinks
To martini or not to martini, now that is a question! Along with what spirits it should be made with and how it should be garnished--olives or onions or a simple lemon twist--is an age-old debate that leaves us to think that perhaps we need to try them all before we weigh in on preference. This version adapts a New York Times pickled onion recipe and insists on gin as the base of this savory, good for chilly nights next to a roaring fire. We put the extra pickled onions in a dish for noshing, they are addictive.
For the Cocktail Onions
- 1/4 pound pearl onions
- 2 1/2 teaspoons mustard seeds
- 2 1/2 teaspoons coriander seeds
- 1 teaspoon allspice berries
- 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
- 1 clove
- 1 1/2 teaspoons fennel seeds, crushed
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 cup rice wine vinegar
- 1/8 th cup warm water
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 3/4 tablespoon kosher salt
For the Cocktail
- 1/3 ounce Dry Vermouth
- 2 ounces Gin
For the Cocktail Onions
- Add the vinegar, rice wine, sugar, and salt to a pot over medium heat. Stir until sugar and salt dissolve. Add the onions and the spice blend.
- Bring to a boil, then remove from heat immediately. Pour onions and liquid into a jar.
- Cover and store at room temperature for two days before using.
For the Martini
- Add ice to a cocktail shaker.
- Add the vermouth and the gin.
- Strain the drink into a chilled martini glass.
- Garnish with an onion or two, and serve.