Have a Bleu Christmas... Martini, that is!

The holiday season is certainly a time of indulgence with sweet treats tempting us at every turn, but if you're like me, I typically prefer salty or savory flavors, even when it comes to my cocktails.  Although I'm mostly a red-wine girl at home, every once in a while, I'll get a craving for a classic dirty vodka martini if we're out.  The salty olive juice (the "dirty") and the chilled vodka are fine, but add some fresh blue-cheese stuffed olives and I'm all set. If you're looking for an alternative to super-sweet cocktails this season, try your hand at a dirty martini. You'll probably get a few firm eye-handshakes from strangers at the bar, plus this simple recipe is fool-proof, so you can show off your mixologist skills with confidence at your next holiday get-together. 

Stay tuned for weekly holiday-inspired cocktail recipes all month long! Cheers!

Ingredients (makes one)

3 oz. vodka (use the best you can afford, unless you're like, under 25. Trust me.)

1 tsp. dry vermouth

2 fresh bleu cheese stuffed olives

1-2tsp olive juice

To Make:

Swirl vermouth in empty chilled glass. Shake vodka with ice to chill. Pour into chilled glass. Add splash of olive juice to taste, and blue cheese olives to garnish. Enjoy!

Be merry & bright,

Hailey