Very Cold, Very Dry

Well, it’s 2026! Congratulations on surviving 2025. I hope this blog helped you get through it, even if it was just for a few minutes. While the world is ever changing, and so are its problems, it sure helps that a well made martini remains the same. It’s dependable, and most importantly, delicious.

It is a comfort blanket that goes perfectly with your favorite TV Show. The one that’s been off the air for several years. Where you can quote every line, recall every episode from each season, have infinite love for your favorite character, and defend it passionately to anyone who doesn’t agree your show is anything but the best.

The West Wing has become this show for me. A few weeks ago, I saw its icon pop up on HBO (or is it HBO Max? Max? Someone clarify). It said, in bright, red bold letters, 25TH ANNIVERSARY. I remember trying to watch it a few years ago, but I stopped because of, well, life.

Flash forward to 2025. I tried many different shows, but nothing interested me. There are way too many with the same theme, just written slightly different. I decided to go back to a 25 year old show and give it a try. Before I knew it, I was already halfway through season 5. This show is more resonant with our current political landscape than ever before. It’s also fantasyland, as the administration operates like they know what they’re doing.

But what really solidified this show as a particular favorite is not the just the superb acting or writing (one of the few shows that is still pretty good, but not as good, when the main creator leaves the show halfway through the series), but the witty pop culture references President Bartlet spews off randomly in certain scenes. One of my favorites is a particular reference to James Bond in the 18th episode of Season Three, “Stirred”.

Charlie, President Bartlet’s Special Assistant, is talking about using his tax rebate to buy a DVD player, and plans to watch “On her Majesty’s Secret Service”. The President starts ranting about James Bond’s horrible taste in martinis:

James Bond may be suave in a suit (and with women), but he clearly doesn’t know how to order a proper martini. As we have said many times, you want to stir the gin and vermouth gently as to not bruise the gin. And nobody wants a weak martini.

Jed Bartlet is the perfect martini icon to start off 2026. If you haven’t watched this show already, I suggest logging off after you read this and watch. With a martini, of course.

With that, let’s start off with a fun martini recipe to kick things off.

Going off the presidential theme, we’re going to go with a classic, “The Dirty Martini”. I have done this before, here but this one is a little bit different. According to the book “Friday Night Cocktails”, where they offer a different cocktail recipe for every Friday night of the year, President Franklin Roosevelt was a fan, and served them during his time in the White House. And this cocktail is appropriate for the Winter, according to the book.

Which goes into my favorite gin or vodka of the week: Ketel one. It’s always been around, and every bar has it, but I never thought about trying it until a few weeks ago. It’s clean, smooth and a great price. These days, that’s like seeing a unicorn.

As always, make sure to have your martini glass chilled in the freezer, at least an hour prior to serving. If you forget (we all do), fill the glass with ice and a little bit of cold water until you’re ready to pour.

While this one seems like it would be a bit “wet” for my taste, my resolution is to try new things, so let’s get those cocktail glasses ready!

The Dirty Martini

Ingredients:

2.5 oz (75 ml) of Vodka (I’d recommend Ketel One)
.5 oz (15 ml) Dry Vermouth (Dolin is a great brand)
.5 oz (15 ml) Olive brine (I use this one here)
Olives for garnish (I sometimes stuff them with Bleu Cheese)

In a mixing glass filled with ice, add the vodka, vermouth, and olive brine. Stir until well chilled, and the outside of the mixing glass is very cold. Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with olives.

My favorite martini tool of the week:

The olive pick. You may think, it’s just an olive pick, what’s so special about it? Well I thought that too, but then I bought some that were longer, and it made all the difference.

It can hold up to three olives or onions (it’s a snack, you want three!), and can sit nicely on top of the glass for presentation.

Music I’m listening to going into 2025:

While I’m usually recommending albums, I’ve been having fun listening to a random selection of songs. Also, a Very Cold, Very Dry Playlist will come out very soon, so stay tuned!

– We’re in this Love Together”, Al Jarreau. This 80’s song feels like a smooth, 70’s song, Al Green style.
– It ‘Ain’t Over Til It’s Over, Lenny Kravitz. Sexy and smooth, just like a martini.
– So Easy (To Fall In Love), Olivia Dean. Easily the most talked about album of Fall 2025. She takes me back to that 50’s/60’s jazz era. I’m still trying to get tickets to her show in August!
– That’s All, Mel Tormé. A voice like butter. Read all about one of Eric’s favorite artists here.
– Boplicity, Miles Davis. Let’s just let our minds wander as we listen to one of the greatest Jazz musicians of all time. This is the time to savor that sip, close your eyes, and enjoy.

I have a lot of great ideas for this blog in 2026, and I am so thankful for you! Whether you’ve been reading since the beginning or just discovering it for the first time, I hope it brings you a little bit of joy! And of course, good martinis!

Also comment on which TV show you keep coming back to for comfort!

Cheers!