Martini is one of the most recognizable alcoholic beverages in the world. Few people know that it is actually a brand name belonging to one company, and not a specific type of drink. It has a bittersweet taste, which is the result of combining two different beverages. When was martini invented? How did it gain such great popularity? Is it drunk shaken or stirred? How to make a drink with martini as the main ingredient?
The Origin of Martini
The idea of creating martini only came to two Italian merchants in the late 19th century: Alessandro Martini and Luigi Rossi. They experimented for many years before they managed to create the unique and globally recognized bittersweet, herbal taste. This taste is the result of combining vermouth – a very sweet, spicy Turin wine – with gin, a long-known drink distilled from juniper berries. The Italians, along with their partners, opened a distillery where they first produced traditional vermouths, and after creating their new invention: Martini Rosso, they began mass-bottling the alcohol under the Martini brand, gaining global popularity for that time.
Interestingly, martini – even though it is a combination of vermouth and gin – is itself considered a "modern vermouth." Nevertheless, the word "martini" has become an eponym. In common perception, it simultaneously refers to a brand and generally describes a specific type of vermouth with a distinctive taste. One could say that this name serves the same function as "Pampers" for referring to diapers or "Adidas" as general sports footwear. Although martini is thus a vermouth, by laypeople it is considered a separate drink. This treatment has made the original brand known to people all over the world.
Even before World War II, martini became an element of the counterculture of the time. Reaching the tables of artists in the decadent 1920s and 1930s, it saw many modern advertisements. The company itself also became a patron of various musical events. At the same time, this herbal alcohol was also loved by the aristocracy. All related European royal courts and the imperial court in Japan massively ordered martini for their parties.
Despite many cultural changes after the war, the popularity of martini did not wane. An excellent marketing strategy and the loyalty of artists made this drink iconic. Andy Warhol himself created advertisements for it. One of the biggest, though fictional, brand ambassadors is James Bond, who in both novels and films almost constantly holds a glass of martini with an olive. However, it doesn't really matter if it's shaken or stirred – what's important is that the ingredients of a Vesper Martini are thoroughly combined before serving!
Types of Martini
There are at least ten types of Martini. The most popular ones differ at first glance by their colors. Red Martini, or Rosso, is the first type of vermouth created by the Martini & Rossi duo. It has a beautiful, dark pink color, is bitter and strongly herbal. White Martini – Bianco – is a popular aperitif, perfect for appetizers. It pairs well with seafood, delicate cheeses, and cold cuts. It is light, vanilla-flavored, with a barely perceptible hint of gin. It tastes great with plenty of ice. Italians often serve it on its own in wine glasses.
Pink Martini – Rosato – is a spicy blend of white and red wine. It has a very specific taste, somewhat reminiscent of popular mulled wines. Martini Extra Dry is something completely different – its taste is more like gin than wine. It is not recommended for drinking on its own, but it tastes great with tonic. With its help, you can create a cocktail similar to "gin and tonic" with a lower alcohol content.
Martini also has a sparkling line. This includes Martini Brut, which pairs perfectly with appetizers. This sparkling wine at first glance resembles prosecco, but it is a much more intense and dry version. There are also "Rose" and "Asti" versions, which are variations on champagne and sparkling wine.
For some time now, Martini Fiero has also been reigning on store shelves, and drinking it is becoming increasingly fashionable. It is the first new vermouth in almost 40 years, produced by the original brand. It has an orange color, and its taste is associated with Italian citrus fruits. Drinks made with it and its standalone taste allude to cocktails with Aperol liqueur, which for many years have been an inseparable part of the menu of almost every restaurant in southern Italy. The brand promotes Fiero by suggesting serving martini with tonic. It's worth trying it with traditional additions that allude to Aperol - they will make it exceptionally tasty.
Serving Martini
Martini is one of those spirits that has glasses specifically designed for its serving. They are characterized by a widening bowl, resembling an opening tulip, and a very thin stem. Martini glasses have a small capacity – usually 150-200 ml. They are perfectly suited for traditional vermouth drinks, such as Vesper Martini or Dirty Harry. In this case, Martini is fortified with vodka or whiskey – as it is about 15% on its own.
KROSNO Martini Glasses:
Another option is to drink martini from red wine glasses, preferably with a round bowl. The cocktail can be prepared in a pitcher, so there's enough for everyone. Before pouring, the glasses can be filled with large ice cubes, slices of orange, grapefruit, frozen grapes, strawberries, raspberries – depending on the color of the martini and its original taste. Citrus fruits will suit Fiero, Bianco will perfectly complement grapes, and Rosso or Rosato with forest fruits. Thanks to each type having a unique color, drinking it from crystal clear glass will be an additional pleasure.
The most popular cocktails combine martini with Sprite or tonic. No wonder – its original aroma is reminiscent of gin, which also tastes great with these drinks. For those for whom the sweetness of vermouth is too intense, it is recommended to mix any type of martini with sparkling water. It tastes much better when there are bubbles in it, rather than just with ice or without any additions. Its dry and very herbal taste appeals rather exclusively to connoisseurs, which is why both producers and the best bartenders recommend serving it in cocktails.
Martini Recipes
There are many recipes using martini. Some of them are prepared and served as an aperitif before dinner or a delicate, feminine drink for a party. Others – like James Bond's beloved Vesper Martini or Dirty Harry – refer to pop culture icons and will suit any man. Several of the recipes below will surely become a staple in the party menu of every home bartender. It is important to drink martini with ice or without – in this case, it must be very chilled.
Classic VESPER MARTINI recipe
To prepare VESPER MARTINI, take:
- 30 ml Martini Extra Dry
- 50 ml gin
- 50 ml vodka
- Olive
- 3 ice cubes
Pour martini with vodka and gin into a shaker, add ice cubes. Shake until chilled. Place an olive on a toothpick in a classic martini glass. Pour in the liquid from the shaker.
Refreshing ITALIAN MEMORY recipe
To prepare ITALIAN MEMORY, take:
- 0.5 liter Martini Fiero
- 0.5 liter gin
- 1 juicy orange
- 15-20 ice cubes
- Ice for glasses
Transfer half of the ice cubes to a pitcher. Scrub the orange, slice it, and thread it onto a skewer, then transfer to the pitcher. Cover with the remaining ice. Pour in martini and gin. Stir everything, holding the end of the skewer. Pour into elegant wine glasses with a wide bowl, half-filled with ice.
Sweet SUNNY MARTINI recipe
To prepare SUNNY MARTINI, take:
- 0.5 liter Martini Bianco
- 0.5 liter sparkling water
- 200 ml peach syrup (e.g., drained from a can)
- Several canned peaches
- 15-20 ice cubes
- Juice squeezed from half a lemon
- One tablespoon of sugar
Place ice and quartered peaches into a large pitcher. Pour in martini, water, and syrup, stir vigorously with a large spoon until ingredients are combined. Pour lemon juice onto one plate, and sugar onto another. Dip the martini glass in the juice, then in the sugar, creating an impressive crust. Pour the chilled drink into the glasses.
Original PINK GLOW recipe
To prepare PINK GLOW, take:
- 30 ml Martini Rosso
- 50 ml Prosecco
- 50 ml gin
- A piece of lemon peel
Pour all liquids into a martini glass. Stir with a spoon until the ingredients are combined. Garnish with a slice of lemon peel. Drink chilled.
DIRTY HARRY recipe
To prepare DIRTY HARRY, take:
- 50 ml Martini Dry
- 50 ml whiskey
- 50 ml Sprite or tonic
- 5 ice cubes
Place all ingredients in a shaker. Shake until the ingredients are chilled. Pour into a martini glass.