I read today (in the paper, so it must be true) that people who like gin are likely to be nasty – narcissistic, sadistic, psychopathic. Machiavellian. Not just gin, but all kinds of bitter flavours, such as coffee.

Since I love all things bitter in flavour (except coffee), that caught my attention. But it’s complete garbage. My Better Half is a coffee fiend and less of a psychopath it’s hard to imagine.

In honour of this poor science, I present the Machiavelli – a simple martini of gin (two parts) and Tasmanian cassis (one part). If you add some dry vermouth and you get a classic Parisian martini, but it doesn’t need it. And this also showcases a delicious cassis produced in Tasmania that’s not too sweet and is full of flavour.

Given the whole bitter thing, it probably should be gin with Campari or similar. So The Better Half is drinking a negroni, just to make the point.