Jalapeño Parsley Sour Martini

You might be surprised by this, but I am not a martini girl. Nope. I generally avoid them like the plague. Well, maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration, but what I’m trying to say is, I strongly dislike ordering them when out to eat or at a bar. And it’s all because of the martini glass. I’m way too clumsy for martini glasses. And I talk way too animatedly with my hands to be trusted with one. The glasses are always filled too high and, no matter what, I end up spilling martini everywhere. Every time. Sometimes when I’m out to eat and I see a delicious-sounding martini on the menu, I get tempted to ask if I can have one, but in a different glass. But I think that’s probably a no-no and the bartender would probably spit in my glass or something.  The thing is, I love a good martini and there’s nothing quite like a restaurant’s well-done martini menu.  Plus, I love the look of a martini glass. I just cannot be trusted with them. Life is tough.

And so, I tend to enjoy my martinis at home. Where if I spill a cocktail everywhere, I only have to deal with the wrath of Chris 🙂 And I can immediately change my shirt instead of being out all night in a martini-soaked outfit.

I haven’t made a martini in a while and thus, decided this week’s Cocktail Friday must consist of one. With Grey Goose. I am most definitely a Grey Goose girl. From the taste, to the pretty bottle, to the fact that they spell “grey” with an “e” (this is important to me), I am a strong believer you can’t make a martini with a cheap vodka. Also, if summer is over, someone really needs to inform my flourishing parsley plant. At first I was going to utilize basil in this drink, but then I decided the subtle fresh taste of parsley would add a nice touch. It most certainly did!

Jalapeño Parsley Sour Martini (makes 2-3):
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• 1/2 C sugar
• 1/2 C water
• 2 jalapeños, sliced, plus more for garnish
• 1 small bunch parsley
• 4 oz. fresh squeezed lemon juice
• 2 oz. fresh squeezed lime juice
• 6 oz. vodka, like Grey Goose

I love infusing liquors, especially with spicy peppers. But I hadn’t planned ahead for this drink and wanted it immediately. No time to seep jalapeños in vodka. So, I decided to make a jalapeño simple syrup instead. Quick and powerful.

Start by slicing the jalapeños. If you don’t like super spicy and want more of a jalapeño flavor with less kick, definitely remove the seeds. I LOVE spicy, so I left them in.

In a medium saucepan, combine sugar and water and bring to a boil over high heat.

Once the mixture is boiling, throw the jalapeños in and lower to a simmer.

Let simmer for about 5-7 minutes.

Strain mixture into a bowl.

You’ll need your simple syrup to cool, so put it in the fridge immediately. It shouldn’t take too long. I may have been impatient and popped mine in the freezer instead.

Now, in a cocktail shaker, add parsley, lemon, and lime. Muddle together.

Add ice and pour in vodka and about 4 oz. of the jalapeño syrup.

Shake together and pour into a martini glass with a prepared lime-sugar rim if you choose (just rub a lime on the rim and dip glass in a plate of sugar).

Add in some jalapeño garnish for good measure. You can never have too many! You might want to remove the seeds from these. Just in case.

Oh my gosh; I just found my new favorite drink! For real! This had ALL the elements I love. It was really spicy and really sour! It was also pretty sweet, but in a fabulous way and not a “oh my God, I’m going to wake up with the worst hangover way.”

Chris said this should be on the menu at a restaurant and I have to say, I would order it if it were. But the waitstaff would definitely have to issue a warning to anyone who ordered. This really is spicy!

I liked the subtle touch of the parsley, too. It wasn’t overpowering in any way and was just barely there, giving the cocktail a bit of a fresh summer bite.

But let’s be honest; the jalapeños are truly the star of this show. They’ll give you that tropical feel in the summer and a warm-me-up feel in the winter. Which means this drink is perfect all year round. I may have drizzled even more of the simple syrup into my drink… for good measure.

The best thing? I didn’t even spill a little bit of my martini. I think Murphy’s law says something about “If you’re in public, you’ll spill your martini every time. If you’re at home, you never will.” Life is weird.

But martinis and Cocktail Fridays make it better.

Happy almost weekend! I hope you get to enjoy a cocktail or two and some fun. And a million hours of sleep. Or something like that.

Have you ever made an infused simple syrup?

[Sues]