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Written by Holly Bea Weaver
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Thursday, 12 April 2007 |
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Whether the recipe is classic or trendy, traditional or hip, a martini has the power to make even the most mundane of us look way more interesting than we are. Which is probably part of the allure of the cocktail, and why it keeps growing in popularity from generation to generation.
No one is really sure who invented it, though there are many who would like to claim the honors. The one thing that is for sure — the martini is here to stay.
SHAKEN, NOT STIRRED
Today, there are as many kinds of martinis as there are bars in America. Most bar menus boast a “signature martini.” But the granddaddy of them all is the classic gin martini, favored by Winston Churchill, Richard Nixon and, in the beginning, James Bond. (By the second James Bond novel, “Live and Let Die,” our hero had switched to vodka martinis.)
 IF IT'S IN A MARTINI GLASS…
Purists disagree. Some think the only “true” martini is made with gin, which is distilled from grain and flavored with juniper berries. Others are horrified to hear about ingredients like Sake, Midori and the like being used. The reality is, the most popular martinis today are made with vodka. And most bartenders believe if you serve it in a martini glass, it’s some kind of martini.
Vermouth is a key ingredient in classic martinis. It’s a fortified wine that’s flavored with herbs and spices.
THE COLDER THE BETTER
Store your gin and vodka in the freezer. Even so, you still need to shake or stir your martini with ice. Keep your vermouth in the frig. Chill your glasses, and your shaker.
DON'T USE THE CHEAP STUFF
Save that for trashcan punch. When serving martinis, you’ve got to invest in quality ingredients. My favorite martini vodka is Grey Goose. I don’t have a personal recommendation for gin, because the one time I tasted it, I believed it was the work of the devil, and therefore a close cousin to tequila. Experiment with quality brands like Boodles, Bombay and Tanqueray No. 10, and take notes so you remember your preferences.
Olives, Anyone?
My favorite martini is Very Dirty, which means it has olive juice in it. And I like three olives. One way to have fun with martinis is to experiment serving them with different kinds of olives. There’s a wide variety out there, too, including those stuffed with garlic, onions, jalapeños, almonds, lemon, hazlenuts, and my idea of the perfect martini olive — one that’s stuffed with blue cheese. Buy one of those nifty olive serving trays, like one I found by Mikasa for $19.99. (See www.mikasaand company.com/control/product/~product_id=GC560209.)
If olives aren’t your thing, and you’re using a “twist” for a garnish, just make sure you’ve scrubbed your lemon or lime, so there aren’t any pesticides left on it.
FIND A GREAT MARTINI
Two places come to mind: Elliot’s Martini Bar and Jay’s Bistro, both in Fort Collins. Of course, some research was needed:
Elliot’s Martini Bar
234 Linden, Fort Collins
472.9802
With more than 40 classic and creative martinis on the menu, Elliot’s lives up to its name. One thing I really like about the place is that you can order a single (4 ounces) or double (6 ounces) martinis off the menu. As my husband said, “It gives you the option to walk or stagger out the door.”
What I didn’t like was the very small martini glass that was filled incredibly full. (Kudos to the cocktail waitress who miraculously didn’t spill a drop while serving it!) Give me a full-sized glass so I experience the “romance” of drinking a martini.
They also sell “designer olives” for 25 cents each, including those stuffed with bleu cheese, lemon peel, “Drunken” jalapeño and “Drunken” garlic. They make it easy to try a variety without spending a fortune.
Music was great, vibe was fun. Martinis were priced from $4.50-$7.50 for a single or $6.50-$14 for a double.
Jay’s Bistro
135 W. Oak
482.1876
The bar at Jay’s serves up a more sophisticated vibe. There was live music, courtesy of an accomplished pianist, and a great appetizer menu.
The martini choices were substantial, averaging $8-$15. They were served in the larger, more traditional martini glass, so I didn’t have to slurp in order to pick up my glass without spilling.
Sure, martinis averaged $2 more, but I’ll pay for a better glass and an atmosphere that “fits” a Martini mood. I tried a trendy one — the Pomegranate Passion, with PAMA Pom Liqueur, Grey Goose le Citron Vodka and cranberry juice. Just say YUM.
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DIRTY MARTINI
(Currently the most popular martini recipe searched for online.)
6 parts vodka
2 parts dry vermouth
1 part olive brine
cocktail olives
Combine the liquid ingredients in a cocktail shaker with cracked ice and shake well. Strain and pour into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with olives.
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WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO MAKE A MARTINI
A Martini Shaker: This is a three-part contraption. A tumbler, a lid with a built-in strainer, and a metal lid. A metal shaker keeps it colder. A glass tumbler looks cool. You pick.
A Shot Glass or Jigger: If you’re going to use a shot glass, make sure you’ve got a great one. No souvenir of your visit to the Grand Canyon is going to cut it. There are really unusual ones out there. I picked mine up last year in Budapest-it’s blown glass with a three dimensional guy’s face floating inside. Don’t ask me how they did it, but everyone who sees it can’t quit talking about it.
A jigger is stainless steel. It looks sort of like an hourglass, made with two opposing cones. One end measures 1.5 fluid ounces, the other measures a “pony shot” or .75 fluid ounces.
Ice Bucket and Tongs: Hey, if you’re gong to serve martinis, do it right. Put the ice for your shaker in an ice bucket and use tongs. An ice cube tray and your fingers will not only gross your guests out, but will contaminate the ice cubes, which must be clean and clear for a quality martini.
Classic Martini Glasses: Again, don’t do it half way. Part of what makes a martini the King of Cocktails is the glass! Make sure you serve them in glass ones-never, ever use plastic or acrylic. It’s always a good idea to chill them, as well. One great idea is to have a set of mismatched martini glasses. It makes it easy for your guests to remember which is theirs. And they’ll need all the help they can get, because most people forget their own names after two martinis! When my husband and I registered for our wedding shower, we requested 18 martini glasses-and we got ‘em! That way it doesn’t matter if a few get broken over the years, and there’s nothing easier (or more fun) than a martini party. You just have to remember to take up everyone’s car keys when they arrive. Trust me on this.
Cocktail Napkins: Don’t recycle those excess napkins from Subway. Splurge and spend $2 to get some cocktail napkins that are worthy of your cocktail. | Only registered users can write comments.
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