Ryder and the Vodka Martini

Author Nick Pengelley joins us today for Drinks with Reads, matching his book, Ryder, with a special vodka martini. Don't forget to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway at the end of the post for a $25 gift certificate to the e-book retailer of winner choice, plus your own ecopy of Ryder. 

Ayesha Ryder’s drink of choice is a vodka martini, straight up with a twist – made with Kremlyovskaya vodka.

Ayesha grew up in the Gaza Strip, where access to premium Russian vodka was limited, to say the least. Even children in that open air prison had access to books, however. As a child, Ayesha devoured the adventure stories of John Buchan, Sapper, Leslie Charteris, Peter O’Donnell – and Ian Fleming. Fleming’s James Bond was the only hero with his own signature drink. When she escaped Gaza for the bright lights – and bars - of London, Ayesha eschewed Bond’s complicated formula, preferring a straight up vodka martini. Something about the icy cold, clean taste has the ability to warm her chilly soul – not that Ayesha believes she has one.

Recipe:

2 ounces vodka

Splash or 1/2 ounce dry vermouth

Ice Cubes

Lemon Twist

Chill martini glasses by placing in the freezer.

Pour vodka and vermouth into a cocktail shaker filled with ice cubes. Shake until cold - at least 10 seconds.

Strain into a chilled martini cocktail glass. Serve straight up (no ice in the glass).

Garnish with a lemon twist.