Martini: History of a Classic Cocktail
The Martini. A truly classic cocktail. New cocktails come and go, but nothing goes down like a classic martini. Martinis have become one of the best-known mixed drinks. They’re made with gin and vermouth and garnished with either an olive or lemon twist. Where did the martini come from? What types of martinis are available? Should you really shake your martini as James Bond claims? We break down everything you need to know about this classic cocktail.
Where Did the Martini Come From?
The history of the martini is as murky as the drink itself. One theory points to the town of Martinze, California during the mid-1800s. As the story goes, it was the height of the Gold Rush and a miner who recently struck it rich decided to celebrate his good fortune at a local bar. He ordered Champagne, which they did not have, so the bartender concocted another beveral made from the ingredients he had on hand: gin, vermouth, bitters, maraschino liqueur and a slice of lemon. The “Martinez Special” was born. This version of the story was first published in the Bartender’s Manual in the 1880s.
However, another theory claims that the drink was, in fact, invented in San Francisco, after a miner requested a pick-me-up in the city on his way to Martinez. There are also claims that it originated in New York’s Knickerbocker Hotel. And others say the drink was named after “Martini & Rossi” vermouth, which was first created in the mid-1800s.
No matter the origins, the popularity of the martini grew and grew over the decades. By the 1950s and 1960s, the “three martini lunch” was a widespread practice for cosmopolitan executives.
Types of Martinis
There are endless combinations of martinis, however there are several key differences between the different types of martinis, outlined here:
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Gin or Vodka
The first question a bartender will ask before making a martini, is do you want gin or vodka. Traditionally martinis are made with gin, but vodka martinis have gained popularity in recent years. Do you want the floral, juniper flavor of gin or the refreshing flavor of vodka?
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Wet, Perfect or Dry
The second step in a martini is to determine the amount and type of vermouth you want. A classic martini, also referred to as a wet martini, is equal parts dry vermouth and gin. A perfect martini mixes equal parts of dry and sweet vermouth together and then combines that with the gin or vodka. Finally, and most confusing, a “dry” martini means you actually want less dry vermouth in your martini.
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Dirty
Classic martinis are completely clear because of the ingredients, however to make a martini “dirty” a bartender will add a dash of olive juice into the mixture, making the cocktail murky and savory.
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Shaken or Stirred
A shaken martini is added to a cocktail shaker with ice and shaken to chill the ingredients. A stirred martini is also added to a cocktail shaker, but stirred with the ice instead of shaken. A shaken martini can break off some of the ice into the drink, diluting the cocktail, whereas a stirred martini retains the profile of the ingredients.
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Twist or Olive
Traditional martinis are ordered with an olive, or many olives on a skewer. Ordering your martini with a twist gives your drink a lemon rind instead of an olive, resulting in a citrus finish to your cocktail.
Dirty, shaken, with a twist. No matter how you like your martinis, make sure to think about the long history of this classic cocktail the next time you order.
Cheers!
