Cocktails for Your Dinner Party: The Martini

The Martini: A Timeless Classic

The Martini is arguably the most glamorous cocktail, with a rich history dating back to the late 1800s in the United States. It is widely believed that Jerry Thomas, a bartender from San Francisco, created the first Martini. While modern variations often use vodka, the classic Martini is traditionally made with gin.

The Evolution of the Martini

Before vermouth became a staple in American bars, the Martini was often mixed with orange curaçao. According to legend, Jerry Thomas concocted the drink for a customer en route to Martinez, California. Today, Martini enthusiasts have their own preferences for the amount of vermouth, with some opting for as little as 1/8 of a measure to 3 measures of gin, garnished with a lemon twist to release the citrus oils on top.

Martini Recipes

Classic Martini

• Ingredients:

  • 1¾ oz Gin or Vodka
  • ¼ oz Dry Vermouth
  • 1 Olive

• Instructions:

  1. Mix gin or vodka and dry vermouth in a shaker filled with ice.
  2. Serve in a chilled martini glass without the ice.
  3. Garnish with an olive.

Sweet Martini

• Ingredients:

  • 1½ oz Gin or Vodka
  • ¼ oz Rosso Vermouth
  • 1 Olive

• Instructions:

  1. Combine gin or vodka with rosso vermouth in a shaker.
  2. Serve in a chilled martini glass.
  3. Garnish with an olive.

Perfect Martini

• Ingredients:

  • 1½ oz Gin or Vodka
  • ¼ oz Dry Vermouth
  • ¼ oz Rosso Vermouth
  • 1 Olive

• Instructions:

  1. Mix gin or vodka, dry vermouth, and rosso vermouth in a shaker filled with ice.
  2. Serve in a chilled martini glass without the ice.
  3. Garnish with an olive.

Dry Martini

• Ingredients:

  • 2 oz Gin or Vodka
  • ¼ oz Dry Vermouth
  • 1 Olive

• Instructions:

  1. Combine gin or vodka and dry vermouth in a shaker filled with ice.
  2. Serve in a chilled martini glass without the ice.
  3. Garnish with an olive.

Extra Dry Martini

• Ingredients:

  • 3 parts Gin
  • 1 part Dry Vermouth
  • 1 squeeze of Lemon
  • 1 Olive

• Instructions:

  1. Mix gin and dry vermouth in a shaker filled with ice.
  2. Serve in a chilled martini glass without the ice.
  3. Squeeze a few drops of lemon and garnish with an olive and a lemon peel.

Apple & Melon Martini

• Ingredients:

  • 1¼ oz Vodka
  • ¾ oz Apple Liqueur
  • ½ oz Midori
  • ½ oz Lime Juice
  • 1 slice of Apple

• Instructions:

  1. Combine vodka, apple liqueur, Midori, and lime juice in a shaker filled with ice.
  2. Serve in a chilled martini glass without the ice.
  3. Garnish with a slice of apple.

Interesting Martini Facts

• The Martini gained immense popularity during the Prohibition era in the United States, as gin was easier to produce illegally than other spirits.
• According to a 2020 survey, the Martini is the second most popular cocktail in the United States, just behind the Margarita (source).
• The world’s most expensive Martini, known as the "Martini on the Rock," costs $10,000 and includes a diamond instead of an olive (source).

Conclusion

Mastering the art of the Martini can make you the star of any dinner party. Whether you prefer it dry, sweet, or with a fruity twist, there's a Martini recipe for every palate. Stay tuned for more cocktail recipes in this series, and elevate your hosting game to new heights.

By understanding the history and variations of the Martini, you can impress your guests with both your knowledge and your bartending skills. Cheers to unforgettable dinner parties!