The story behind the booze: The Martini (part 1)

While more and more cocktails are being created daily, some are just too good to be forgotten. The Martini is one of the classics people can never seem to get away from. Personally, I'm not convinced people order martinis because they taste good. Although, the drink has a history of being a fancy drink to order and enjoy.

While there have been lots of variations of Martini's created throughout the years, a traditional one is still a go-to for many people. A traditional Martini contains two parts gin, one part vermouth, and is garnished with olive or a lemon twist.

This drink can be served chilled (which is most common), neat, or on the rocks. It is known to be one of the most popular mixed drinks in the world. With a reputation like that, people must really enjoy them - even if I'm not a fan.

The Martini is known as a very American drink, rightfully so with origins seeming to come from California. Specifically a small mining town called Martinez, CA. While the drink may or may not have originated directly in Martinez, both of the most likely theories base the name off of travel to or from the town.

Shaken, not stirred: Where does the Martini come from?

The first theory states that "Professor" Jerry Thomas, who was a very famous bartender in the 19th century, invented the drink in the late 1850s or early 60s in San Fransisco. When he was bartending at the Occidental Hotel a man came in before beginning his mining journey.

He used a gold nugget to pay for a drink, asking Thomas to mix him up something special. The drink Thomas made for the man contained Old Tom, which is a sweetened gin, vermouth, bitters, and Maraschino. He named the drink the "Martinez." Can you guess where the miner was traveling to? Yep, Martinez, California.

The citizens of Martinez support another theory, saying the traveling did occur, but in the opposite direction. Sometime around 1870 a miner stopped at the Julio Richelieu in Martinez on his way to San Fransisco. He paid for a bottle of whiskey with a sack of gold nuggets. Complaining he paid too much for the bottle, the bartender made him a small drink of gin, sweet vermouth, and bitters with an olive to make up for it. This was called the "Martinez cocktail" because of where it originated.

While there is some speculation of the Martini having European origins, those theories are supported much less. That would also taint the American aspect of the Martini, so we don't need to talk about those here.

While the Martini is a very famous drink, there was a lot of change in the early 20th century, that changed the Martinez into the Martini. It is not completely known when the "z" was dropped from the cocktail, but somewhere along the way the cocktail lost its sweetness in the 19th century, and the "z" left with it.

The Martini will continue to be a popular, and well-known drink. With many variations, some closer to the classic Martini, and some with names like "pornstar Martini." Martini's have been a well-known drink for almost two centuries now, and at least in the United States, they show no signs of becoming less popular anytime soon.

Like many classic cocktails they have an interesting history, and are one of the few truly American cocktails of their time. All of this history is making me rethink whether I like Martini's or not, seems like it's time for me to try again.

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