© Colleen Graham licensed to About.com
The
Martini is a hot topic of debate: Referring to all drinks in a cocktail glass as a Martini, Shaken vs. Stirred and Gin vs. Vodka. These questions can fuel some heated disagreements, but it is the latter that we're talking about today. I've had a poll running for a couple weeks and I guess I didn't realize that so many people prefer vodka over gin. Right now
vodka has almost twice as many votes as the original gin Martini. Why, why, why? It's the bouquet of a great
gin that makes the Martini what it is, gives it its essence and adds dimension to the drink, but in a Vodka Martini you're essentially tasting the
vermouth and garnish. Granted, I enjoy both and love a glass of chilled dry vermouth before dinner, but given a choice I'd have a Martini the way it was supposed to be any day. On the other side of the question, the "traditionalists" who have spoken up are split evenly between shaking and stirring but we'll save that debate for another day. For now, the
polls are still open and I'd love to hear more of
your opinions...!
Comments
Nice to see you’ve gotten back to martinis again.
Also good to see that you’ve included an “In and Out Martini” on the same page.
As a dedicated martini aficionado for the past 52 years, it only gin and vermouth that makes up a true martini. Any other contents would create a “Martinot”, “Crocktini” or “alternatini”.
Personally, I make my ‘tini using 3 drops of vermouth and 5 oz of Beefeater, stirred with ice, strained into a chilled martini glass and garnished with a lemon peel.
Other so called martinis have their time and place, but must be referred to as cocktails served in a martini glass.
so sad. a martini is made with gin and vermouth. that’s it. there are many opinions about whether to use sweet or dry vermouth, or about how much to use, and whether to shake or stir (why that is a debate I do not know – stir for less water from the ice, shake for more – the flavor changes accordingly, though not always in ways you expect), but there should never be discussion, much less debate about vodka or gin. the kangaroo cocktail is made with vodka and vermouth. a martini is made with gin.
If it isn’t made with gin and vermouth then it isn’t a martini.
I couldn’t agree more. A real martini is made with gin and vermouth and whatever water the ice departs.
A simple change from an olive to an onion is enough to change the name to a gibson, but change the base alcohol from gin to vodka and the name remains the same? How does that make sense?
Give a little, take a little… but, make sure the amount of Gin is double or even triple the amount of Vodka, then add a few dribbles of Dry Martinni and a few drops of olive brine with the olive.
Shake it, stir it, as is your want.
I’ve been bartending since I was 18 years old & I’m pushing 50 now. I hate gin, can’t even stand the smell (barf!) BUT A MARTINI IS MADE WITH GIN!! I concede asking someone, who orders a martini, if they want gin only to prevent me remaking the cocktail.
Personally I would rather see them spit the gin over the bar! Ha! I just don’t want to waist the booze (even gin).