By Katherine
Spicy and slightly sweet
I made this as an alternative to Greg’s standard dirty martini. Flavored vodkas can be pricey. Making a simple syrup is a cheaper alternative.
Peppercorn Martini
- 3 ounces vodka
- 1 ounce dry vermouth
- 1 tsp sherry
- 1/2 ounce peppercorn simple syrup (see note)
Mix all ingredients in a shaker over ice. Strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a hot pepper, if you can take the heat. I can’t, which is why I made this for Greg.
Peppercorn simple syrup
- 1 1/3 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- 3 tsp green or black whole peppercorns
- 2 tsp crushed mixed color peppercorns
Combine ingredients in a two-quart saucepan and set over medium heat. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Lower heat and allow to simmer for 15-20 minutes until thick. Take off heat and strain into a heatproof container. Allow to cool. Keep refrigerated.
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How did it taste? 😀
Spicy, but sweet, really good! It made Katherine’s lips tingle, but she liked it too.
I was having difficulty wrapping my mind around the peppercorn concept, but I’d drink one, two, or three of these.
You guys sure have some fancy cocktails at home 🙂 This sounds strangely compelling !
i’ve seen nothing like it…looks good
This is such a unique recipe to me.. I never heard of a Peppercorn Martini.. but when I make it for my girlfriends, they are going to ask where I got this from. And the answer will be.. shut up and enjoy LOL. No I will tell them to come here. I don’t know why I make the drinks and don’t drink lol.
How interesting! What kind of pepper garnish is that?
It was a sweet pepper, and darn if I remember. It was off the olive bar.
When I first read this, I thought it said “pepperoni martini.” The really said part is I then thought “that might be tasty…”
I remember, as a young man, falling off a bar stool in Covent Garden whilst acting as a test pilot for vodka Martini. This recipe brings back a mixture of pleasure and pain.
Sounds delightful. Piquant and jazzy! (Like your writing, come to think of it.)
Heh, I’m trying to figure out how a peppercorn syrup would taste (well, peppery, duh!). Can one use it for anything else? I’d love to give it a try but just don’t drink enough to make a whole load – though the drink looks good too
We’re probably going to use it for other drinks but might slip it in some marinades that would benefit from sugar. It’s cheaper than buying pepper vodka and you could make a smaller batch. But yes, sweet and peppery.
Wow – tingly lips…sounds like fun!
I need a drink as I miss my daily stops for the food delights!
This made me think of my dad. He loved his “mar-toonies” he called them. It would have been fun to make him a variation of a drink he enjoyed.
Wow, so interesting – my hubby would love this.
🙂 Mandy
When I first saw the title of this post, I thought it said Pepperoni Martini. And then I was going to be like: Whoaaa guys! Cured meat and booze?! But this makes much more sense. (Although … pepperoni might not be such a bad idea. Right? Right?!)
Oh pepperoni…
Apparently I need to drink more… Hmmm. Do you suppose that would be a good New Year’s resolution? Just in the interest of research, of course… mmmmm!! 🙂
That is the perfect resolution.
Oooohhhhh…..this could become very addicting. Might just have to make these on New Year’s Day. Thank you!
See? This is why when a friend sent an email asking me for ideas for cocktails for a party, I sent him the link to your blog — although now I’ll have to resend the link. I wouldn’t want him to miss this one.
I love pepper. This sounds like a great idea.
Wow…I’m trying hard to figure out how this will taste….too bad we live so far, I’d run over for a neighborly holiday toast with you two!!
I never would have thought of a peppercorn martini. I think Mike would enjoy this…Speaking of drinks, we made your pomosas last weekend and they were a hit! 🙂
I really liked that you used the simple syrup instead of a flavored vodka. There are so many drinks to try these days and buying all the flavored vodkas available would be way out of my budget. Making a simple syrup is so much cheaper and is so easy. Great to have an alternative. Plus buying a giant bottle of regular vodka seems much more practical!
And if you hate the flavor, you’ve only wasted sugar. Not that we want to waste any food.
If I wasn’t such a purist (for my martini’s ;)!) I’d probably LOVE this one! I’d really like a bit of a taste, though before I make my mind up entirely! Come to think of it, these would be great with my Cheese Puffs http://kitcheninspirations.wordpress.com/2011/12/20/cheese-puffs-and-a-really-really-cool-thing/ or even better, Ann’s wonderful Cheez-itz http://www.cookinghealthyforme.com/2011/12/power-of-cheez-itz.html! (BTW I made them last night, and she wasn’t kidding, they are CHEESY very very CHEEZY!)
Happy holidays.
Just call it something else and serve it in a tumbler! Off to see some cheese puffs.
Oooo I’m intrigued! Never had anything like this before. Pretty positive my dad would LOVE this drink.
Which isn’t your “snarky” way of calling me old, right? Ha.
Peppercorn syrup? I like it. And what a cool visual. Gorgeous drink.
That’s actually our Christmas tree, the drink was giant!
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I’m definitely in the mood for one of these, especially with the chilli, Love it!! Have a fab Christmas you two, big kiss from Rufus!!
I want to come to the Greg and Katherine household sometime for cocktail hour. I know it would be a very good time! Have a great holiday you two and thanks for making my blog reading always entertaining and full of delicious things.
You are invited, but only if you sing your favorite songs story at our doorstep first. Italian fig cookies…
all that drink needs now is a bitey cheese, some crunchy crackers and hey, lets throw in a few kalamata olives as well… on the side that is, not in the drink.
I love coming to your blog and always am so surprised and curious about the combination of flavors you’ve put together. This sounds delicious and I think I could use one (or two or three) about now after 3 hours of wrapping gifts (just helping Santa out). I’m making your brie wrapped in puff pastry today (yay) and can’t wait to post, will give you guys credit of course.. Merry Christmas and have a wonderful holiday season!!
Oh good, we can’t wait to see. Thanks for your kind words and you have a merry Christmas too.
It turned out… and was so delicious, a big hit tonight at our little gathering! I didn’t change a thing (except decoration shapes on top) and didn’t need too… it was addicting and delicious!!
Every time I see the word peppercorn, I think steak. Great double-take you had me do there!
I’m not too much for sweet cocktails but this is very intriguing to say the least with the spicy peppercorns.
This cocktail would warm up even a Christmas party in Alaska 😉 It looks unusual and if I wasn’t too lazy to make the syrup, I would try it this weekend!
This is just badass….love it! Happiest of Holidays to both of you!!!!!! (mind you, with the glorious stuff coming out of your kitchen and bar, you don’t need my help to be happy!)
Thanks, Natalie. Hope you enjoy your holidays too.
I love fish and seafood but honestly I haven’t tried trout yet does it taste like salmon a it looks like one
oops wrong article
Ha, someone’s having a good Christmas!
Looks great!
peppercorn syrup eh.. might have to steal that idea 😉
great post
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