Dolly Parton, Queen of Country, dies at 80
Dolly Parton has died. The country songwriter, Dollywood founder & philanthropist who wrote ‘Jolene’ and ‘I Will Always Love You’ was 80.
Somewhere on a porch in rural Tennessee, the late Dolly Parton may have held up a dainty martini glass, sipping away as the orange sun set behind the Great Smokies.
And like most things she did in life, she put a special twist on it.
As featured in her 2024 cookbook, “Good Lookin’ Cookin’,” (Penguin Random House), Parton’s three-ingredient Southern twist on a classic dirty martini subbed out traditional olive brine for an even saltier, sharper Giardiniera vegetable brine – paired with porch staple unsweetened iced tea.
To make the drink especially “good lookin’,” it is topped with a skewer of Spanish olives and a mix of the Giardiniera’s colorful jarred vegetables, which often include carrots, cauliflower, red peppers, onions or pickles.
Want to raise a glass to Dolly tonight? Here is the recipe.
The Dirt Road Martini
- 2 ounces vodka
- 2 ounces unsweetened iced tea
- 1/4 ounce pickled Giardiniera brine
- Spanish Queen olives for garnish
- Vegetable pieces from the Giardiniera for garnish
Combine the vodka, unsweetened iced tea and brine in a chilled, ice-filled mixing glass.
Stir well.
Garnish with a skewer of olives and vegetable pieces.
Makes one serving.
To make a pitcher, combine 1 bottle of vodka, 3 cups unsweetened iced tea and 3 ounces Giardiniera brine. Chill until ready to serve over ice, then top with skewered olives and vegetable pieces. Makes 12 servings.