Gin Martini

Dorothy Parker, the well known wit and bon viveur, had several amusing comments about the Martini. My two favourites are:

"A Martini is like a women's breasts - one is too few and three is two many".

"After three I am under the table, after four I am under the host".

The Martini must be close to the American national cocktail. Loved by presidents and surburban families alike, it had its heyday in the 1950s when businessmen would have a three martini lunch before dozing their way through the afternoon. Modern life, drink driving laws and government alcohol consumption guidelines have all led to the decline of the Martini but it is far from a dying cocktail and still ranks as one of the best in the world.

Although James Bond drinks Vodka Martinis most afficianados accept that a Gin Martini is the ultimate deal.

Ingredients

Dry Vermouth (preferably Noilly Prat)
2 ounces gin, chilled

Preparation: Pour a little bit of dry vermouth in a chilled martini glass and swirl to
coat the inside of the glass. Dispose of excess vermouth. In a shaker full of ice, gently swirl or stir the gin before straining into glass.

Serving Suggestion

A Martini is traditionally garnish with an olive, lemon twist or cocktail onion, You can also add rocks if you like.

Our suggestion would be to stick to a twist of lemon. The salt or brine of an olive will often ruin the flavor of the gin while a cocktail onion usually adds too much vinegar to the drink.