It’s a holiday weekend, so why not start a little early, right? A couple of weeks ago, while we were at Lola in Cleveland, we tried one of their signature martinis — Hot, Dirty & Bleu — and really enjoyed it.
So, continuing the apparently recurring themes of reconstituting other restaurants drinks and a new affinity for spicy drinks, here it is:
3 oz Vodka (and use the good-stuff)
¼ oz Olive-brine (from the jar of olives you’re going to use as a garnish)
¼ oz Dry vermouth
~5 drops Tabasco (or other hot sauce)
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a chilled martini glass and serve with a skewer of bleu-cheese stuffed olives. The cold, cold martini, the salty-bleu cheese-olive taste and the spicy hot sauce are a really great mixed sensation. I recommend using a vinegar based hot-sauce (if you have one) and nothing that’s been thickened – I think it will disperse better in your drink. Also, while I'm a fan of the traditional gin-martini as well, I think hot sauce and gin sounds really terrible.
(Of course, you can make it as “hot”, as “dirty”, or as “dry” (varying the vermouth) as you like – that’s sort of the joy of martini-making…)
Bottoms-up!
Stevil 
That sounds like the most wonderful thing in the world!!! My kind of martini, for sure.
I will try it Friday nite! Not a fan of gin martinis.
I wonder if Texas Pete would be good in it? (I'll obviously have to wait to partake until after the baby is born, but I'll definitely keep this recipe in mind)
I knew there was a really good reason to move to San Diego…. now, why didn't I go then?
Dude, someday I want to party at your house :>)
You know Zak, i'd been "off" gin martinis for a long time, but have been warming back up to them b/c of some very flavorful gins that are on the market now. Might be worth a 2nd look sometime…
Steph — you know I almost put "Texas Pete" down as an example, but a) I didn't know if people knew what I'd be talking about and b) I don't have any to show… (you can't get it here in CA) — but definitely a great choice I'd think…. you know — when you're able… :)
That's what visits are for…. I'm sure mndoci can whip you up something good…. (hah!!)
whoa! that's interesting… might need to try that… :D
Ha! is right…. but I will apply pressure and see what happens