09/25/2026
Saturday, Sept. 25th is National Dolly Parton Day, a clever tribute to her 1980 song and movie, “9 to 5”. Parton passed away a month ago from that day, at the age of 80. To honor the incredibly talented, good-natured Parton this weekend, let’s fix up one of her favorite cocktails from her cookbook, “Good Lookin’ Cookin’”: The Dirt Road Martini.
INGREDIENTS
2 oz. of vodka
2 oz. of unsweetened tea
0.25 oz of pickled Italian giardiniera brine (such as Mezzetta)
Garnish with Spanish Queen olives and pickled giardiniera vegetables (cauliflower, carrots and peppers)
INSTRUCTIONS
Prepare a martini or rocks glass with ice or place it in the freezer.
In a mixing glass filled with ice, add the vodka, unsweetened iced tea and giardiniera brine.
Stir well, or shake thoroughly if you prefer it ice-cold and slightly diluted, until chilled.
Strain the mixture into your chilled glass and garnish with a skewer of olives and colorful pickled giardiniera vegetables.