Thread: Martini Time!

Originally Posted by joesixpack

Seems odd that what is essentially a gin drink wouldn't be more popular in the low countries where gin was invented. But, then again, the Martini was invented in the US. I thought it was somewhat popular in England at one time (Winston Churchill used to drink them). Maybe not so much anymore, though?

No Englishman I know drinks them (usually a gin tonic if not beer), neither does any Dutch.
Gin (or "jenever" as it was derived from that) is consumed quite a bit here, but seperately next to a beer, not as a shot, to sip only, and mostly by the elderly.
But hey, what do I know, lol.

Hoekie

Gin with a Beer chaser? Yuck phooey!! Thats one rotten set of taste buds!

Originally Posted by HoekmanX

No Englishman I know drinks them (usually a gin tonic if not beer), neither does any Dutch.
Gin (or "jenever" as it was derived from that) is consumed quite a bit here, but seperately next to a beer, not as a shot, to sip only, and mostly by the elderly.
But hey, what do I know, lol.

Hoekie

I'm good with either one. Vodka or Gin. Green olives (with pimento) and some of the brine from the olives (I've heard it called a "Dirty" Martini.) The idea of lining the glass with single malt sounds interesting. I'm gonna have to try that.

Randy, gin is a cheap surrogate for jenever ..... the taste is quite different.
A bit like Cognac and brandy.

Hoekie

Being one of those icky "purists" I happen to disagree whole hearted with James Bond.. a martini is indeed a Gin/Jenever beverage, and one never "bruses" a martini by shaking, least one has a very watered down flavor.

I happen to perfer Quintessential for a martini, but won't scoff at Saphire, Junipero
or Citadelle.

What does James Bond know? The only real martini is with gin. Notice he has to say "vodka" martini? If he didn't, he'd get gin. Doesn't that tell you something?

In any case, I'll take a Saphire martini over any other with a fine vermouth in a 5:1 ratio and three olives. Ah!

On the topic of not bruising your martini by shaking ... While shaking WILL produce a colder beverage than stirring (scientifically tested to be true) it will also SLIGHTLY dilute the drink. Save yourself BOTH unpleasantnesses (wordlinessed) by keeping your Gin in the freezer. It's where your vodka belongs anyway so just make room for another bottle.

X

Sorry, guys, I'm a purist in most things, but not this. I could never quite get the taste for gin.

I was at a tasting once, and they had a cucumber infused gin. I've never tasted anything quite so disgusting in my entire life. I'm sure some people love it, but my taste buds revolted.

Being a former bartender I can tell you that a martini is made with gin unless specified "vodka martini."

In my case it would be a Bombay Saphire Martini a bit dirty! (I'm with you Joe)

Just an aside... The mayor of Las Vegas (Oscar Goodman) is endorsed by Bombay Saphire. (I think he gets free booze or something) For those who don't know him, he was Bugsy S. and other mobster's lawyers during that period in Vegas history. He was in the movie "Goodfella's" too. I am including a post to a story about the time he told a fourth grade class if he was stranded on a desert island what would be the one thing he would want? "A bottle of gin," he said.

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/7082161/from/RL.2/

I can't believe I live here!

Morningshow

Originally Posted by xman

On the topic of not bruising your martini by shaking ... While shaking WILL produce a colder beverage than stirring (scientifically tested to be true) it will also SLIGHTLY dilute the drink. Save yourself BOTH unpleasantnesses (wordlinessed) by keeping your Gin in the freezer. It's where your vodka belongs anyway so just make room for another bottle.

X

It both dilutes and clouds the drink if you mix it in a shaker. James Bond certainly knew a thing or two about espionage and women, but he had questionable taste in drinks.

Personally, I don't really see the fascination with the Martini. I like olives a whole lot, but other than that, you're basically ordering a ("fancy") glass of gin, with a subtle vermouth aftertaste.

If I want to drink hard liquor, I just up the manliness and drink it in an old-fashioned glass, either straight or on the rocks.