I love a good dirty martini. On the one hand, it's odd, because I am not particularly enamored of either vodka or gin. On the other hand, I love salt and all things salty. The first time I ever tasted a martini was in Florida. My father-in-law had ordered one at dinner, and my husband and I both tasted it. We were appalled. Why in the world would anyone ever drink that, I wondered? I had a Lemon Drop martini several years later and thought it tasted like Pledge furniture polish would. I was not interested in experimenting any further until a guy named Michael and I talked about it at dinner one night. After asking a few questions, he determined that I would like a dirty martini. I took his advice and ordered one. This was at Rosebud in Chicago.
Michael was right. I loved it.
Unfortunately, I did not understand that martini-making is an art, and, like all art, there is good and there is atrocious. I recently revived my interest in and taste for martinis, and have decided to try them when it seems there is at least a 50-50 chance for success. Here is what my small sampling has determined:
1. The dirty martini in Chicago. Maybe it was the novelty, maybe it was the night, but it remains the best one in my memory.
2. Z's Restaurant in Owensboro, KY. I was pleasantly surprised by it. The perfect mix and ice slivers in the glass. I really think that is what sets it apart from others. Gotta get that vodka cooooolllllddd.
3. Gambrinus Libation Emporium, Owensboro, KY. Before I tasted Z's version, this was my number 2. The ice in the Z's version decided it for me.
4. Colby's, Owensboro, KY. Excellent, and with ice slivers. Even so, I place it 4th. It may have been the olives. I didn't love the olives.
5. Briarpatch, Owensboro, KY. Thinking of my experiment, I asked the waiter if they had a full bar (having noticed the total absence of patrons in the "pub".) He said yes, so I ordered a dirty martini. How can I explain this? Let's just say that it was nasty. There wasn't anything dirty about it, other than the olives. Seriously. It was a martini with olives. Someone has no idea what he/she is doing....
6. Texas Roadhouse, Owensboro, KY. Why would I order a dirty martini at a steak house, you ask? Well, it might have been because it was my 40th birthday and I was riding a sawhorse with a saddle on it, or it could have been because of the awesome drink I had 2 months prior. Regardless, I gave it a shot. It was dirty, alright. I belched olive brine all night. Akin to drinking pickle juice, to be honest. With a shot of vodka. Not an experience I want to repeat!
I will continue to experiment. Interestingly, I haven't tried to make my own dirty martini. For now, I want to keep this something I only try when out and about. I'll keep you posted! Print this post
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