Since I can remember, I have always loved the martini. With it came the romantic ideas of playing craps in a tuxedo with a beautiful woman on one’s arm, strolling on the beaches of Cannes and sitting in one of the most prestigious club houses – wearing all white of course.
Regardless of the task at hand throughout these dreamy scenarios, the act of sipping the delicious cocktail is present.
For most, the martini is linked to James Bond and his signature phrase of “shaken, not stirred,” but for me it is the idea of a drunken socialite downing shaker after shaker of martini that keeps the fantasy alive. There is a certain elegance that accompanies this concoction, which has made it a bar favorite even today. Here are some of my favorites.
Dirty Martini – I’m not sure what it is about this martini, but every time I or someone I know orders this drink the bartender or a person near us will always ask if the drink mimics our personality – and yes, it does.
3 ounces of gin
ounce of vermouth
ounce of olive juice.
Put ingredients into a shaker over ice. Pour. Garnish with olives.
French Martini – The French Martini is possibly my favorite. It’s sweet and bubbly. The flavors are intense and create a delicate experience as it hits the palate. It’s just delicious.
One of the few memories that I have of drinking this martini is of myself and a friend of mine consuming a pitcher of it while watching a minor league baseball game. It was a great way to pass the day.
2 ounces of vanilla vodka
ounce of chambord
ounce of pineapple juice
ounce of champagne
Shake the first three ingredients. Stir in champagne. Garnish with a cherry.
Cosmopolitan – the name says it all. This martini was made famous by Carrie Bradshaw of Sex and the City and has become a lounge hit. It is a delightful drink which goes down easy. A cosmopolitan is drink that anyone can enjoy. While drinking, one can feel sophisticated and hip.
3 ounces of Citron vodka
ounce of triple sec
ounce of cranberry juice
Squeeze of half of a lime
Put ingredients into a shaker over ice. Pour and garnish with a lime wedge.
A bit of advice for martinis, try as many as possible. If you like chocolate, have a chocolate martini. If you like apples, have an appletini.
Don’t be afraid to order a martini that you have never had before. Just remember, they are strong.
Let me leave you with this poem. “I like a martini – Two at the very most -Three I’m under the table – After four I’m under the host” – Dorothy Parker.
Gross-werter can be reached at mgross-werter@campustimes.org.
