It's Me, Sara Louise

The problem is that every time I order a vodka martini I get something quite different to what I think I am asking for. In the South of France, a ‘martini’ seems to mean ‘Martini Rossi’, that apéritif that gorgeous George Clooney used to push, not ‘martini’ as in the cool sophisticated cocktail. And even though Martini Rossi Bianco is a vermouth and a martini calls for vermouth, it comes out all wrong.

Now I’m not saying that it’s terrible but a tumbler of half Martini Rossi and half vodka is some potent stuff and whenever I order it people stare at me with expressions of awe (maybe awe is not the correct description but they are definitely starting at me with expressions) and they do that gallic hand shake thing. The Boyfriend will simply say, “Elle est Irlandaise”, and people will nod understandingly at the obvious reason for my alcoholism. And then I drink it anyway (it wouldn’t be nice to waste it when there are thirsty people all over the world).