It's not a martini unless it's garnished with an olive or a lemon twist. If you prefer a nonalcoholic drink, fill your glass with chilled spring water and the twist, and toast with the rest of your guests.

1 cup ice cubes
8 ounces vodka or gin
1 ounce dry vermouth
Cheese-Stuffed Olives

Preparation

1. Place ice cubes in a martini shaker. Add vodka or gin and vermouth; shake. Strain into four martini glasses. Skewer Cheese-Stuffed Olives and insert into drinks.
Makes 4 servings.

Cheese-Stuffed Olives:

Let a round of blue cheese stand at room temperature for 30 minutes to soften. Measure 1 teaspoon of blue cheese. (If necessary, stir a drop or two of milk or cream into the cheese to create a paste.) Place the blue cheese mixture in a small plastic bag. Snip off a corner. Pipe cheese into 4 pitted, unstuffed green olives.

Nutritional facts per serving:

calories: 146, total fat: 1g, saturated fat: 0g, cholesterol: 1mg, sodium: 97mg, carbohydrate: 0g, fiber: 0g, protein: 0g