Day 26: "The Dry Martini"

This next classic is perhaps the most famous cocktail known…the Martini. Although its exact origins are still unclear, its popularity grew during Prohibition when illegal gin was relatively easy to obtain.

Here’s the recipe I used (taken from DrinksMixer.com):

1 2/3 oz gin (Seagram’s Extra Dry Gin)
1/3 oz dry vermouth (Gallo Extra Dry Vermouth)

Stir gin and vermouth with ice in a mixing glass. Strain into a cocktail glass, add an olive, and serve.

As indicated above, martinis should always be served in a cocktail glass, otherwise known as a Martini Glass. Try chilling the glassware before pouring the drink and serving. Also, it is always garnished with an olive.

Personal tasting notes: This was definitely too strong for me. I’m not sure if it was the gin or the vermouth, but it burned a little on the way down. I will probably not be doing this one again, but I can see the appeal to others.