Martini History – Gin or Vodka?

Martini history – the first Martini – or Martini-like drink – was poured sometime between 1862 and 1871 and was called a Martinez, a name to honor the humble town of Martinez, California, where it was purportedly first dreamed up by bartender Julio Richelieu, proprietor of the eponymous Julio Richelieu Saloon. (they surely didn’t have the cool Martini glasses like we have now.)

However (and with the Martini there’s always a however), this tale of origin runs counter to another popular and far more glamorous claim that the first Martini was actually created in New York in 1911 when Knickerbocker Hotel head bartender Martini di Arma di Taggia allegedly served his original “Martini” creation to none other than John D. Rockefeller who, in a nod to its creator, suggested it be called a Martini.

Sifting out Martini history is not easy. Of the two stories, the Martinez, California, tale is the most reliable, as there exists persuasive evidence that the name “Martini” was in full circulation well before Rockefeller started hammering them. Earliest credit goes to the British Army who, in the 1870s, is said to have morphed the Martinez into the Martini by likening the drink to its powerful Martini and Henry rifle – both delivered a strong kick. More damning to the Knickerbocker tale is that the word Martini shows up in an 1888 drink-mixing tome titled, “New and Improved Illustrated Bartending Manual,” and, that the Oxford English Dictionary states that the earliest use of the word Martini was in 1894 and that it derives from Martini and Rossi Vermouth.

For all the idle “Cliff Claven” discrepancies and contradictions surrounding the birth of the Martini, there does exist at least one common denominator: each of the “original” Martini recipes include the presence of gin and vermouth, a fact that should allow the purists to drink in peace. Furthermore, when drinking went underground during Prohibition, it was gin’s ability to be distilled quickly and surreptitiously that, by default, made it the alcohol of choice for speakeasies and moon shiners. It was likely a gin Martini or no Martini at all. Score two for the purists.

However, consult the early Martini drink manuals and recipes and you’ll find that no two are alike. None agree upon the correct ratio of gin to vermouth, whether the vermouth should be sweet or dry, whether bitters should be included, whether to shake or stir, whether to serve over ice or neat, or if garnishing requires olives, a twist, an onion or a Maraschino cherry. Again with the discrepancies. But such is the subjective nature of the drink that even among the purists there are no purists. Ahhhh, Martini history.

by Martini Party guest Mike Hamer

Best Vodka for a Martini Party?

According to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives—which sets the rules for spirits sold in the United States—vodka is defined as a neutral spirit “without distinctive character, aroma, taste or color.” But all vodkas are not alike. Vodka can be distilled in a good many ways, from a great many substances, including wheat, rye, beets, corn, potatoes, and sugar cane. As a result, each brand has a distinct smell, flavor, aftertaste, and burn (i.e., the burning sensation vodka creates as it goes down your gullet).

The best vodka to use to mix your favorite Martinis is Grey Goose, with Armadale coming in a close second place. Ketel One, Stolichnaya. and Absolut are fine for mixing Martinis if need be. But stay away from other brands that may leave a bitter taste to your concoctions.

Grey Goose Vodka Martini

Welcome to the Martini Party. When at a Martini Party, my favorite drink is the Lemon Drop Grey Goose Vodka Martini, shaken not stirred. There is no other taste like that of chilled Grey Goose Vodka.

Mix 6 parts Grey Goose Vodka, 1 part dry vermouth, 1/2 oz. lemon juice and a teaspoon of sugar into a shaker full of chipped ice and shake well. Strain into a chilled Martini glass rimmed with sugar and garnished with a lemon twist. Now that’s good stuff!

The complete drink recipe can be found in the recipes section of MyMartiniParty.com. Also, check out the Martini Rimmers and cool martini glasses to use to serve a Lemon Drop Grey Goose Vodka Martini.

Martini Marty