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Patricia Altschul's Former Butler, Michael, Shares Exactly How to Make His Famous Martini
Michael Kelcourse gave a step-by-step guide to making the Southern Charm matriarch's favorite drink, and we took notes.
Patricia Altschul and her former butler Michael Kelcourse have an incredibly special bond. As the Southern Charm matriarch explained on the show's Season 8 premiere: "Michael is the most stable relationship I’ve ever had.” Although Michael retired from his duties at Patricia's home and moved to Florida following his tragic spinal cord stroke in February 2021, the two have stayed in constant contact, as viewers got to see on Season 9 Episode 6.
"We talk all the time and keep in touch," Patricia explained on the October 19 episode. "I miss him every day." Luckily, Michael is only a FaceTime call away and is happy to continue sharing his expert tips and tricks with Patricia and Whitney Sudler-Smith.
After catching up briefly on the call shown during the episode, Patricia had a very specific request for Michael. "You promised you'd show me how to make a martini like you used to make because I have been living with inferior martinis," she said. "I'm sorry to say."
Michael laughed and said, "Sure enough," before giving Patricia and Whitney a step-by-step guide to making her drink of choice.
Michael Kelcourse's martini for Patricia Altschul
After instructing Patricia and Whitney to get a "Lewis ice bag" and a "hammer", he told them to "put three or four ice cubes" in the bag and "get the ice nice and chopped." As Patricia began to hit the ice with the mallet, she raved, "God, you used to do this fast."
After peeling a lemon, Michael advised, "rub the yellow part around the rim of the glass to give a little flavor." Next, Patricia started pouring gin and vermouth into a shaker. Although he didn't specify measurements during the episode, in a video Patricia shared on Instagram in August 2022, Michael noted that he uses three ounces of Beefeater gin and three "cap fulls" of Boissière or Dolin dry vermouth.
"People say, 'Oh, it's easy to make a martini. It really isn't," Patricia explained in an interview during the episode. "To get the right ingredients, to get the proportions right, it's really an art form to do everything that Michael did to perfection."
This day was no exception. As Whitney explained, the martini was "crisp and exceptionally good."
"Michael, you are a true genius," he added.
Press play on the video above to take a tour of Patricia's incredible Charleston home.
