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About Dirty Martini
The origins of the Martini are a little fuzzy but the cocktail's genesis can be traced back to the early 19th century when it emerged as a combination of various mixed drinks in the United States. Its birthplace is quite debatable, with some attributing it to ‘professor’ Jerry Thomas inventing a drink named ‘Martinez’ with ingredients like vermouth, Old Tom gin, orange bitters, and maraschino liqueur at the Occidental Hotel in San Francisco, while others claim it was born in the barrooms of New York City.
As time progressed, the recipe evolved, transitioning to dry vermouth and London dry gin, eventually becoming the iconic Martini we know today.
Shaken or stirred?
The age-old debate surrounding its preparation method - shaken or stirred - has been going on ever since Bond ordered his first Vesper shaken rather than stirred.
Traditionally, purists argue that the Martini should be gently stirred to achieve the ideal dilution and maintain the clarity of the cocktail. It also helps blend the ingredients properly, ensuring a smooth and velvety texture that allows the gin and vermouth's aromatics to shine.
On the other hand, shaking the Martini gives a colder temperature and a slightly different mouthfeel due to the formation of bubbles in it. Supporters of shaking argue that it is an acceptable technique, especially for vodka-based Martinis or those who prefer a more brisk and icy sip.
Pro tips
- To enhance the cocktail’s flavours subtly, you can add a few dashes of orange bitters
- For a savoury note, you can also add olive brine to the mix.
- While you can have your own preference, shake for a colder, more diluted Martini, and stir for a clearer, velvety textured one.
- Use large ice cubes that melt slower, resulting in less dilution and a better-balanced stirred Martini.
- For a dryer version of Martini, use less Vermouth.
Recap
Directions
- Pre-chill the martini glass with ice and top up the glass with soda
- Keep the glass aside
- Add 5 olives in another glass and muddle
- Add 6-7 ice cubes
- Pour 5 ml Olive brine
- Pour 10 ml vermouth
- Pour 50 ml vodka
- Shake using a cocktail shaker
- Now empty the martini glass
- Strain the drink into the martini glass
- Garnish with 3 olives on a stick