Martini

MARTINI

    "I've never tasted anything so clean. They made me feel civilized." From Ernest Hemingway novel Farewell to Arms, to the most famous James Bond line "Shaken not Stirred." And even my favorite "He just knows how I like my Martinis... Full of Alcohol." by the perfect Mans-Man Homer Simpson.  The Martini has become one of the most Iconic Cocktails in the World.  The history of this fantastic Cocktail has more stories than quotes about it, but no matter what version you want to believe one thing is for sure, this Cocktail has and will forever be the best way to taste the perfection of the Alcohol in it (all the original versions contained Gin.  It wasn't till the early 1950's that Vodka became popular.)  Nowadays, you will find Thousands of Cocktails calling themselves a "Martini" (you have your Appletini, Lemon Drop Martini, Chocolatetini, or any other drink special someone comes up with when they can't think of an original name) those names usually have to do more with the Cocktail Glass then the ingredients.  

    When it comes to mixing the Martini (this part is VERY important to follow), NEVER shake Gin Martinis (shaking a Gin Martini bruises the Juniper used to make the Gin and will ruin the flavor and integrity of the Cocktail).  When shaking a Vodka Martini you are wanting to shake it so that when you pour it into your chilled Martini Glass it looks almost as if a layer of ice is sitting in the glass.  When chilling the Martini Glass the best way is fill the glass full of ice and add water or soda water to it (adding the carbonated soda water helps chill the glass a little faster than plain water), let the glass chill while building your Cocktail and dumping out the ice water before finishing the Cocktail.

    When building this Cocktail I do believe that the Alcohol used should be of better quality (just because you are actually enjoying the Vodka or Gin at its truest form so going cheap will not give you the experience you deserve while drinking a Martini).  So, when choosing a Gin or Vodka (I prefer Beefeater Gin for its drier taste and Ketel One or Titos as my Vodka).  The Dry Vermouth you use is up to you, the prices for Vermouth can be fairly inexpensive to more than the Liquor you have chosen (so I normally go for the cheaper since you really are just "washing" the Martini Glass before you finish building the Cocktail).  The Green Olives are obvious but the way to make your Martini stand out is try stuffing your Olive with an ingredient that compliments the Cocktail (Blue Cheese, Garlic, Jalapeno, or Anchovies are a few) experiment and find what ingredients fit your taste buds.  

    You are now ready for the Ingredients to recreate your version of the fantastic Cocktail

• 2 oz of your favorite Gin or Vodka

• Dash of Vermouth to "wash" your Martini Glass

• 2 Green Olives for garnish

    Chill your Martini Glass by filling it with ice water.  In Cocktail Shaker add Alcohol, if using Gin take a spoon and stir 20 times to chill the Gin.  If using Vodka hard shake for 5-10 seconds.  Dump the ice water out of the Martini Glass and add your dash of Dry Vermouth, swirl around the glass and discard.  Strain your chilled Alcohol into Martini Glass and garnish with Green Olives (I really think Blue Cheese stuffed Olives taste best).  As always remember to enjoy your new Cocktail with close friends and family.  Cherish everyday by laughing, loving, and smiling with people who make you feel good.

     I know what you are thinking, wait what about the other true types of Martinis? I will give you the quick run down for each one

Dirty Martini- Instead of Dry Vermouth create this cocktail by using equal parts of Olive juice and Vodka (2 oz of each) for an Extra Dirty Martini use 2.5 oz of Olive Juice to 2 oz Vodka

Wet Martini- When making a Wet Martini add a little bit of Dry Vermouth to the Cocktail Shaker (more Vermouth makes it wet)

Dry Martini- When making a Dry Martini use a very small amount of Vermouth if any.  Some times just riming the glass with a napkin dipped in Vermouth is best

Extra Dry Martini- When making an Extra Dry Martini just wave a napkin that has Dry Vermouth on it over the Martini Glass.  The less Dry Vermouth the better.

Gibson- Yes a Gibson is still a Martini, instead of Olives the Gibson uses a Cocktail Onion as its garnish.

Vesper-  Try this version made with equal parts Gin, Vodka, and Lillet Blanc (I use a dry white wine in place of this) and garnished with a Lemon twist.

    There you go and ENJOY any of these versions with all of your close friends and family members!!!!