Cocktail Thursdays: Jalapeno Martinis

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Ah, the simple pleasure of the dirty martini. Crisp vodka combined with nippy olive juice makes a cocktail that is so refreshing amongst the sugary, syrupy cocktails that seem to be everywhere these days. Next time you feel like a martini, try this recipe for one infused with the spice of jalapenos. Making the jalapeno vodka takes a bit of prep work, but a bottle lasts for ages and the taste makes it well worth it!

3 ounces jalapeño vodka
1 teaspoon dry vermouth
crushed ice

1. Pour the vermouth into a chilled martini glass and swirl to coat the inside of the glass.
2. Dispose of excess vermouth.
3. In a shaker full of ice, gently swirl or stir the vodka before straining into glass.
4. Garnish with thin slices of fresh jalapenos.

Jalapeño Vodka:
1 750-ml bottle best quality vodka
2 fresh red jalapeno, slit in 1/2 lengthwise, stem left intact
2 fresh green jalapeno, slit in 1/2 lengthwise, stem left intact
2 cloves of garlic, peeled

To prepare vodka, pour out a little from the bottle to make room for the jalapenos. Drop peppers and garlic into the bottle. Put cap back on and store in freezer over night, but preferably for a week.