Name: Spicy Shishito Pepper Martini
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 10
Cuisine: US
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 10 shishito peppers; 10 thin slices lemon; 0.5 teaspoon sea salt; 0.5 medium lemon, juiced; 0.5 teaspoon flaky sea salt; 1 teaspoon olive oil; 30 fluid ounces vodka; 10 fluid ounces dry vermouth; Ice as needed

Elevate your cocktail hour with this sophisticated twist on the classic martini. Blistered shishito peppers and zesty lemon slices add a delightful savory and citrusy complexity, transforming the familiar into something extraordinary. Feel free to explore with other roasted pepper varieties for a touch of personalized heat or sweetness.

Follow The Directions

01

Step

Heat a heavy cast iron or steel pan over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. (2 minutes)

02

Step

Add the shishito peppers and blister, letting them sit undisturbed on one side for optimal char, then tossing occasionally until blistered evenly around. (8 minutes)

03

Step

Season the blistered peppers with sea salt.

04

Step

Lay the lemon slices flat in the hot pan. Allow them to caramelize slightly on one side, then flip to gently color the other. (2 minutes)

05

Step

Remove the lemons to a bowl with the blistered peppers.

06

Step

Squeeze the juice of half a lemon over the peppers and lemons. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt and drizzle with 1 teaspoon of olive oil.

07

Step

In a cocktail shaker or mixing glass, combine vodka, dry vermouth, and ice. Add approximately 1 teaspoon of the flavorful juices from the pepper and lemon mixture to each batch. (5 minutes)

08

Step

Shake well until chilled, or stir gently if you prefer a less diluted martini. Strain into chilled martini glasses.

09

Step

Garnish each martini with a blistered shishito pepper and a caramelized lemon slice.

For a 'dirty' martini variation, add a splash of olive brine to the shaker along with the pepper-lemon juice.
Adjust the amount of pepper-lemon juice to your taste, starting with a smaller amount and adding more for a bolder flavor.
Experiment with different types of peppers! Roasted poblano or bell peppers can offer a sweeter, milder alternative.