Tunatinis Might Be You And Your Cat’s Favourite Sipper
Forget about the Dirty Martini. This season, we’re going full-on filthy. The most controversial, mouth-watering / mouth-gaping cocktail is shaking things up—and it smells suspiciously like the inside of a trawler – the Tunatini!
You all know the Dirty Martini, right? Now imagine that, but with a brine that’s straight from the ocean… or more specifically, from a can of tuna. We tried it, we judged it, and here’s why this savoury, umami-rich concoction might just be the official “Spit or Swallow?” cocktail of the season—and by “we”, I mean, the thirsty Cats of Cape Town also agree!
The Human Tunatini: Are You Filthy Enough?
The human version of the Tunatini is a full-throttle commitment. It takes the deeply salty, oily, and savoury notes of a good canned tuna’s brine and substitutes it for the classic olive juice. Think of it as a Dirty Martini that spent a summer working on a fishing trawler.
The Recipe (Strictly for the Daring Humans):
- 2 oz Vodka or Gin (Gin for those who actively seek chaos)
- ½ oz Dry Vermouth
- 1 oz Tuna Brine (from a quality can of tuna in water—not oil!)
- Ice
- Garnish: A stuffed olive, or better yet, a small piece of seared tuna on a cocktail stick for the full effect.
The Verdict:
SWALLOW
This is a true Swallow for the umami fanatics, and a definite Spit for everyone else. It’s salty, meaty, and oddly satisfying if you have a high tolerance for savoury booze. If you’re not prepared, it’ll be a full-on fish-market-in-a-glass experience. You’ve been warned!
The Feline Tunatini: Your Cat’s VIP Treat
The real seasonal craze? The version your cat is demanding! Since tuna is cat crack, this non-alcoholic Cat-tail is the ultimate hydration treat to keep them cool while you’re sampling the hard stuff.
This is NOT a cocktail for them, but a special treat served martini-style for maximum Instagram points.
- Drain the liquid from a can of plain, unsalted tuna packed in water.
- Dilute the tuna water with an equal amount of fresh water or a splash of low-sodium cat-safe broth.
- Serve in a small, wide saucer or a clean, empty martini glass.
- Garnish: A tiny sprinkle of catnip and a small, cooked, unseasoned tuna flake as a ‘pimento olive.’
The Serious Sip (A Must-Swallow Safety Fact):
DO NOT let your cat drink your alcoholic version! Alcohol is toxic to cats. The human-grade tuna treat above should also be limited to a small, occasional snack only. Too much tuna can cause nutritional imbalances and mercury accumulation. When in doubt, always spit out the human food and ask your vet!
The Bottom Line
Whether you’re making a bold, savoury choice for your sundowner, or just trying to get your grumpy kitty to drink more water, the Tunatini is the bizarre drink and cocktail that connects cats and humans.
