The Perfect Gentleman’s Martini

The origin of the martini is steeped in mystery, but it remains a popular classic . Classic martini’s are made using gin or vodka mixed with dry vermouth. A martini’s dryness is determined by how much vermouth is used. A dry martini has little vermouth and a wet martini has quite a lot of vermouth. Dirty martini’s are so named due to olive brine added to a traditional martini. I favor both the traditional and the dirty martini.

The James Bond character made the martini a symbol of sophistication when he declared it must be shaken not stirred. Quite frankly I feel the same. Martini glasses should be chilled prior to serving. Glasses can be wet and placed in the freezer until frosted or glasses may be chilled placing ice and soda into a glass until chilled and then emptied out immediately prior to serving .

Traditional Gin or Vodka Martini

Chill martini glass

Pour ½ oz. vermouth into shaker

Shake and pour liquid down the drain

Add 3 ½ oz gin or vodka to shaker

Shake

Empty ice from chilled glass

Coat inside of glass with vermouth

Pour vermouth in glass down the drain leaving the interior coated

Strain drink in shaker into chilled martini glass

Garnish with olive

Dirty Martini

Chilled martini glass

Place 3 oz vodka into shaker

Add 1 oz vermouth

Add ½ oz olive brine

Shake gently

Strain into chilled martini glass

Garnish with an olive

Serve

Washington Apple Martini

Chill martini glass

Place 1 cup ice in shaker

Add 1.5 oz whisky

1.5 oz sour apple schnapps

1.5 ox cranberry juice

Shake gently

Strain into chilled martini glass

Garnish with fresh apple slice

Food recommended to be served with martinis

Salty Nuts

Cheese platter ( brie, cambozola, manchenga)

Crab Salad

Caviar on ice

Thinly sliced banquette topped with thinly sliced roast beef and fraiche horseradish

Salmon Mousse on cucumber slices