BevX Cocktails

Martini - BevX take on the original

How have we gone so long without addressing the kingpin of all cocktails, the Martini? This cocktail, more than any other perhaps, is the subject of debate and a serious victim of identity theft. Let’s first deal with the identity theft issue. A Martini is made with Gin and Vermouth, in hotly contested quantities and proportions, chilled on ice, and served neat in a cocktail glass with a garnish (most notably an olive). That’s it. Nothing else is a Martini. Yes, we are aware that there are thousands of drinks that liberally use the moniker “Martini” but they are simply pretenders – final – end of story.

The debate regarding the Martini typically concerns the ratio of Vermouth to Gin. It is known that the first Martinis utilized far more Vermouth than do modern versions. In fact the first Martini used sweet Vermouth. A century ago Martinis would typically use a ratio of 2-to-1 or 3-to-1 (Gin to Vermouth). Today the standard ratio runs between 7-to-1 to 9-to-1.

While the amount of Vermouth used is a matter of personal preference it is certain that a Martini must contain Vermouth. If you seek a Martini so “dry” that you forgo the Vermouth altogether, you are not drinking a Martini and you should man-up and order a chilled, triple Gin served neat.

Ingredients

3 oz. Dry Gin
3/4 oz. Quality Dry Vermouth
Optional - but strongly recommended a green olive or lemon twist garnish

Occasion

When is it a bad time for a Martini? This classic and ubiquitous cocktail needs no season or occasion and you can be dammed sure that whenever you are reading this someone is drinking a Martini.

Method

Add a generous portion of ice to a cocktail shaker followed by the Vermouth and then the Gin. Stir well for a dozen seconds and then strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with an olive and hand your car keys to someone trustworthy.

Variations

So many variations exist that it would take another web server to chronicle them all. While a Vodka Martini is certainly a valid drink, a "real" Martini is made with Gin. The real area of controversy is the amount of Vermouth included. I fall on the classic side as I like the taste of a quality Vermouth with Gin while others will violently disagree.

Source: Classic