Dirty Politics & A Sweet Pea Dirty Martini

This alcohol-free martini won’t solve the U.S. political spiral or chaos rippling across the Mexican border—it’s just a drink.

sweetpea dry martini with vodka, gin, or alcohol-free rice vinegar brine

After another exhausting, chaotic election cycle, sometimes the best thing you can do is sit down, take a meditative breath, and have a little drink (with or without booze). Living in Mexico for the past decade has granted me some healthy distance from the circus of U.S. politics, but that doesn't make the implications of another "orange clown" presidency any easier to swallow. “Few places in the Americas stand to be as jolted by a new Trump presidency as Mexico, the nation of nearly 130 million people that the president-elect made the target of numerous threats during his campaign,” according to the NY Times.

Every cycle feeds us with binary choices of “lesser evils” that never quite seem to serve the full spectrum of human needs amid ongoing environmental and human tragedy. The return of the 45th president to the White House brings with it the same threats and baseless rhetoric he peddled before—unhinged and aggressive stances on immigration, trade, and border security that have always targeted Mexico, my adopted home, and its people. The plans to ramp up mass deportations and potentially intervene militarily against Mexican cartels would create new pressures for Mexico—a nation that already shoulders the weight of U.S. policies on migration and drug trafficking. Watching things unfold from Mexico, the political turbulence feels like an unwelcome echo, reminding me that no matter how far I am, the storm of U.S. politics always finds a way to reach almost everywhere.

“Few places in the Americas stand to be as jolted by a new Trump presidency as Mexico […]” — Simon Romero & Emiliano Rodríguez Mega

As a Black woman who grew up in a West African immigrant household, I know that the focus on immigration has always been rooted in racialized xenophobic and misinformation that has spread and permeated inside Mexico itself. It’s reflected in the way Afro-descendant immigrants and migrants are treated and targeted, seen in the “go home” sentiments and the unjust immigration processes in many countries. Some might say this was reflected in much of the Latino vote within the U.S., with immigrants pinned against other immigrants. But the reason Latinos flocked to Trump may not be as simple as the exit polls would have us believe. Same true for the Black vote.

The truth is that the U.S. has long relied on Mexico to take on the burden of its immigration policies. The reality is far more complex—migration is driven by factors like economic instability, violence, and political upheaval, none of which Trump’s rhetoric addresses. His policies don’t just harm Mexico but the global south, as they fail to address the root causes of migration, opting instead to demonize migrants while ignoring the systemic issues that drive people to seek refuge. Being away from the U.S. doesn’t mean I can escape the consequences of an orange-man presidency. As Mexico finds itself once again in the crosshairs of U.S. political games that disrupt families and livelihoods, this serves as another reminder that no matter how far I’ve come, the dirty politics of the U.S. will always find a way to touch my life wherever I am.

The dissonance between who I am, who I'm expected to be, and who I was told to vote for has been suffocating. I can't help but think about how many election seasons are spent choosing the lesser of two evils, with little attention paid to the voices of marginalized communities. My little sweetpea-infused martini doesn’t symbolize anything profound; it’s just a creative recipe I developed for an event I’m hosting tomorrow to dance some of this pain away. The infusion process sort of represents the care and intention behind something small yet delicate, sweet, and understated—much like the way Black women’s political contributions are often overlooked, but are, in fact sometimes essential.

The Recipe —

sous vide method for those who want infuse cannabis into peas

extra dry, like my sense of humor but feel feee to adjust

Sweetpea Martini (Vodka or Gin)

What you need:

• 1/2 - 2 oz sweetpea water depending on level of dirty, (instructions below)

• 2 oz vodka or gin

• 1/2 oz dry vermouth

• Fresh sweetpeas or lime peel twist or for garnish

• squeeze or dash of fresh lemon juice *optional

• 2-5 mg of infused cannabis vodka *optional

• Ice

Sweetpea Water (make ahead):

• 1 cup fresh or frozen sweetpeas

• 1 cup filtered water

• 1 tsp agave or sugar

• pinch of salt

What to do:

1. In a small pot, combine the sweetpeas, water, and sweetner. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves. Let it simmer for about 5–10 minutes, allowing the sweetpeas to release their flavor but not too much color. Strain out peas, and let cool.

2. Once cooled, muddle the peas using a muddler or the back of a spoon to release more flavor and create a more concentrated pea essence. Strain the mixture through a mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove the solid peas, leaving behind a smooth, vibrant sweetpea-infused liquid.

3. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the sweetpea water, vodka or gin, a light squeeze of lime juice, and shake (or stir) well until chilled ( 60 secs)

4. Strain into, a chilled martini or coup glass and garnish with a reserved pea or time peel twist

5. Sip & Reflect and remind yourself that the world isn’t fixed, but you can still enjoy a moment of calm.

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Sweetpea Mocktail Martini

What you need:

• 2 oz sweetpea-infused water (infusion method below)

• 1/2 oz brine with celery, star anise and rice wine vinegar (instructions below)

• 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice

• A pinch of salt (to bring out the sweetness of the peas)

• Ice

• Fresh sweetpeas or pea shoots (for garnish)

Sweetpea Water (make ahead):

• 1 cup fresh or frozen sweetpeas

• 1 cup filtered water

• 1 tsp agave or sugar

• pinch of salt

Instructions:

1. In a small saucepan, combine the sweetpeas and filtered water.

2. Bring to a boil and simmer for 5-7 minutes, or until the peas are tender and the water has taken on a slight pea flavor.

3. Remove from heat and let the mixture cool slightly for about 5 minutes.

4. Once cooled, muddle the peas using a muddler or the back of a spoon to release more flavor and create a more concentrated pea essence.

5. Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove the solid peas, leaving behind a smooth, vibrant sweetpea-infused liquid.

6. Store the sweetpea smash in the fridge for up to 3 days.

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Brine with Celery, Star Anise, and Rice Wine Vinegar (make ahead):

What you need:

• 1/2 cup celery stalks, chopped

• 2 star anise pods

• 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1/2 cup water

What to do:

1. In a small saucepan, combine the celery, star anise, rice wine vinegar, salt, and water. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 5-10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. Let the brine cool to room temperature, then strain.

2. In a cocktail shaker, combine 2 oz of your sweetpea water, 1/2 oz of the brine, 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice, and a pinch of salt.

3. Fill the shaker with ice and shake or stir vigorously for about 30-60 seconds to chill and mix everything well.

4. Strain the mixture into a chilled martini glass, coup, or low ball class ensuring it’s smooth and free of any solid bits of pea.

5. Garnish with fresh sweetpea or a lime peel twist.

6. Enjoy and let me know what you think. (no, but really please email me and let me know mennlay@gmail.com)