Cajun Martini

Some people prefer gin over vodka for their martini. This recipe calls for vodka but could be substituted with gin very easily. The Cajun Martini is a favorite in New Orleans, but was brought to the tropics by Ernest Hemingway. It is rumored to have been created by Chef Paul Prudhomme and his wife, Kay at K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen in New Orleans. This martini can be made using commercially made pepper vodka or you can make your own.

make your own pepper vodka/gin

To make your own pepper vodka or gin, simply wash 3 fresh cayenne peppers, 2 fresh jalapeno peppers, and 1 habenero pepper. Gently puncture the peppers so that the alcohol will be able to flow through and become infused with their flavors. Add the peppers to a bottle of quality vodka or gin, then refrigerate for at least 3 days. After a week, any remaining alcohol must be strained.

Ingredients

1 Jigger Pepper Vodka

½ Jigger dry vermouth

1 Small jalapeno pepper for garnish

Directions

Fill your shaker with ice.

Add the pepper vodka and the dry vermouth.

Shake altogether well, then strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Garnish with jalapeno pepper.