The Martini with Salami Stuffed Olives
The martini, for all its simplicity, fuels more arguments than just about any cocktail. Vermouth or no? Shake or stir? What type of gin? Bitters? Lemon? Olive? Just give me a martini already. But as with everything worthwhile, your cocktail isn’t going to be any better than what you put into it. But with good ingredients and thoughtful preparation, you can’t go wrong. With the martini, it comes down to preference. The best way to make it is the way you like it. Some gins are mellow, some floral, some savory. Try a few and pick your favorite. We like Bombay Dry because of its earthiness and its affinity for the fennel in the salami. And we use vermouth. None of this “wave the bottle over the top” nonsense. Add it in. It smooths out the drink and adds a definitive flavor.
Directions
Fill a martini glass with ice and cold water to chill.
Cut 5 planks, 1/4-inch each, from the flat surface of the salami. Then cut each plank in half. You’re trying to get little salami plugs, roughly 1/4-inch by 1/2-inch, to fill the olives. But don’t get obsessive about it. Just eyeball the salami (they come in all shapes and sizes, you just want to get a nice Italian fennel one) and cut it to fit in the olive. There’s a strict “no ruler” policy at cocktail time. Stuff each olive with one of the salami plugs. Spear two on a toothpick, and pop the rest in the fridge to have on hand when the urge hits. (Which could be as soon as you finish this martini. Which is fine.)
Dump the ice and water. Put your olive spear in the glass. Fill a shaker about one-third of the way with fresh ice. Pour in the vermouth and the gin and stir to get it good and cold, at least a minute.
Strain into the martini glass. Shake it to get out every drop.
Dim the lights and sip and nibble your cares away.
Enjoy your Martini with Salami Stuffed Olives! (please drink responsibly)
