The Martinez

I've been staring at the Martinez for awhile now, ever since Food 52 shared this recipe in January. After trekking around {a little} for a bottle of Luxardo Maraschino, I finally got to make one. While it still doesn't oust my favourite Negroni, this comes pretty close.

The vermouth provides a lovely sweet spiced note, whilst the gin takes things in the other direction with juniper and florals; The maraschino (with an almond like flavour) balances the two. Finally, some orange bitters and an orange twist for extra complexity.

This is certainly a fall/winter cocktail, with the sweetness and spiced notes of the vermouth and maraschino, but it coincided perfectly with our 'New York night' on Friday. We made kale crostini with harissa aioli, meatballs (and spaghetti) and caesar salad, all inspired by Frankies Spuntino in NY... And ate and chatted with two friends in our very tiny apartment.

A martinez recipe is below, and you can find a recipe for Frankies' Meatballs here.

Martinez

Adapted from Food 52

2 oz gin (I used Victoria)

1 oz sweet vermouth (VYA)

1/2 oz maraschino (Luxardo)

2-3 dashes orange bitters (Victoria)

Garnish - Orange peel

Fill a mixing glass about half way with ice, add everything but the garnish and stir. Strain into your glass of choice and garnish with an orange peel.

My New York list

Lists, lists, lists. I'm not generally a list person, but when I travel, it's on. Mostly, I don't like standing in the middle of the street saying, 'Let's just go there.' My friend Richard, who we travelled to NY with, teased me for my lengthy list of typed up spots by neighbourhood... But eventually he came around ('This is the best sandwich I've ever eaten!').

So here is my New York list, condensed from the original five pager, into just the spots we ended up visiting.

New York.

We had a fantastic time in New York last month. There was lots of food and drink and walking, plus some solid relaxation time. I'm slowly working on my New York list, but in the meantime, here are a few pictures from our trip.

Made many visits to the Bedford Cheese Shop, and managed to fit a jar of Brooklyn Brine Co. Whiskey Sour Pickles into my suitcase.

Went on a bike tour.

Stopped for gin cocktails at NY Distilling. 

Hopped on the East River Ferry. 

Wandered the High Line.

Found that Northern Spy Food Co.'s Kale Salad lived up to its reputation.

Made many trips to Raines Law Room.

 Toured a roof top farm in the Brooklyn Navy Yard.

Enjoyed large plates of oysters and absinthe cocktails at Maison Premiere.

Made it to little Pok Pok. 

Watched the sun set a bunch of times.

New York, New York.

This is no longer an excuse for my lack of posts, but it's Festival time! I hope everyone attending or volunteering at Folk Fest has a wonderful time!

We're off to New York for a couple weeks this October, and I could seriously use some recommendations. We'll be on the upper west side for about a week, and then in Williamsburg for another.

Remember last year when I was feeling overwhelmed by London... New York is doubly so. Thankfully, we are going with a friend who visits the city once or twice per year, but of course, I'd love to surprise him with some newbie finds.

Leave 'em below!

Well, hello Mast Brothers Chocolate. See you in October!