My Vodka Martini

Well, I did it. I baked and decorated three cakes for my friend’s First Communion party. The backstory is that I’m not a skilled cake decorator by any means, and when I was hired by this same friend to bake a First Communion cake last year I handed her a freak show on a platter. I had to redeem myself, so for the past month and a half I was sequestered in Cake Land. I finally emerged from this lonely existence with a full beard, long fingernails, a harsh sensitivity to sun light, and some cake decorating skills under my belt. When all was said and done, and I dropped off the three cakes at the restaurant I breathed a long sigh of relief. Looking back I realize that I enjoyed every baking moment I spent with those cakes, and when it was time to decorate them they were ready and willing to put on their Sunday best. That night I celebrated by cleaning up my kitchen, and drinking the most fabulous vodka martini.

Here’s how I like my martini. I pour in 3 parts vodka, 1 part vermouth, and 1/2 part olive juice into a ice-filled shaker. My instinct is to shake it, but because I prefer a crystal clear martini, I stir it with a long spoon instead. Thirty stirs to be exact. I then pour the liquid into a well-chilled martini glass. Finally, I drop a large olive (I only need one) right in the middle.  Next, I make a toast (if I’m with a friend I toast to them or our friendship, and if I’m alone I toast to myself). When I take a sip, I want to taste the vodka first, then the tang of the olive juice, and finally finish with the vermouth.

You know, in college I used to drink Zima garnished with a Jolly Rancher for added flavor. Boy, have I grown up. Hey, here are my cakes!