A Long Lost Line of Martini's...
The martini is perhaps the most renowned alcoholic cocktail, which has come to be immortalized through popular culture in establishing itself as a household name. The sweet and sour blend of vermouth and gin began to make its mark on social circles as far back as 1863, where the popular cocktail known as the ‘Martini’, was allegedly discovered by a barkeep in the USA who supposedly blended Martini & Rossi brand vermouth in a chilled glass with some gin.
But the actual origins of this modern alcoholic marvel are still shrouded in mystery – the earliest historical account claims that the martini was actually invented in 1849, under the original name of ‘the Martinez’, after a miner supposedly stumbled upon the recipe in the town of Martinez during the California Gold Rush. Liking the taste of his new alcoholic blunder, he took the recipe with him to San Francisco, renaming the drink the ‘Martinez Special’, though, this account has never been historically proven – the Martinez special is a drink that exists, and has a similar yet distinctly different recipe.
In contemporary society, the Martini has been seen being drunk by highly prolific historical figures – from Winston Churchill to Franklin D. Roosevelt. Perhaps though, the most infamous inclusion in popular culture was the martini being featured in James Bond films – with the famous line “Martini – shaken, not stirred”. The whole practice of shaking a martini unearths an enormous debate surrounding the correct way to mix the cocktail as argued vehemently by cocktail purists. Many purists believe that martinis should always be “stirred, not shaken, so that the molecules lie sensuously one on top of the other”, as asserted by W. Somerset Maugham, English novelist, playwright and self-professed martini aficionado. Most believe that the effect of stirring a martini ensures that the martini maintains transparency and a crisper taste, whereas shaking supposedly ‘weakens’ the blend by breaking up the ice and adding more water, as well as slightly altering the taste.
But who cares, right? Whatever tastes good for you! The debates that shadow the mixing of the martini cocktail are biased towards the taste preferences of the person arguing their side of the story. The fact remains; it has raised the ranks to become one of the higher class cocktails amongst the drinking elite. So consider this is my informal salute to one of the greatest alcoholic icons of our time!
Now most importantly, here’s how to make the original martini:
Ingredients:
5.5 cl Gin
1.5 cl Dry Vermouth
Lemon Peel or Olive to garnish
Preparation:
Pour all ingredients into a mixing glass with ice cubes. Stir well then strain into a chilled martini cocktail glass. Squeeze oil from lemon peel into the drink, or garnish with olives as desired.
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