The martini...gin or vodka, a splash of dry vermouth and an olive or lemon peel...where did it come from exactly? Well, there are many versions as to the origin of the martini.
One story goes back to the Gold Rush in San Francisco in the 1870's at the Occidental Hotel. The bar tender made a drink for a gold miner who was heading to Martinez, Calif. so they named the drink martinez. It eventually shortened to martini. The bar tender got a gold nugget for the drink. Pretty good!
There is also a story that an Italian immigrant bartender Martini di Arma di Taggia at the Knickerbocker Hotel in New York City invented the drink before World War I. He added orange bitters to the classic mix.
Another legend says that it was named for the Martini & Henry rifle that was used by the British Army between 1870 and 1890.
Whatever the origin, martinis have become increasing popular and increasingly customized. And they are a great cocktail after a long day!
Since we all love martinis, we thought we would share some of our favorites!
In addition to customizing your martini, you can also customize your phone case with Swaponz. Then, you can take your martini or cosmo adorned smartphone with you for cocktails every night...and swap it out with another design for the day!
Check out the new watercolor collection with these fun martini and cosmo designs on the Swaponz website!
Swap on! CHEERS!
LEMON DROP MARTINI
Ingredients:
1.25 fl oz Smirnoff No. 21 Vodka
0.25 fl oz Triple Sec
0.75 fl oz Lemon Juice
Directions:
In a shaker with ice, add vodka, triple sec, and lemon juice. Shake well. Strain into chilled martini glass rimmed with sugar (optional).
CHOCOLATE MARTINI
Ingredients:
0.75 oz. Smirnoff Vanilla
0.75 oz. Godiva Original Liqueur
0.25 oz. shaving(s) of chocolate
Directions:
In a shaker with ice, add Smirnoff Vanilla and Godiva original liqueur. Shake and strain into a martini glass, top with chocolate shavings.
POMEGRANATE MARTINI
Ingredients
- 1 ⅓ Parts Absolut Citron
- ⅔ Part Pomegranate Juice
- ⅓ Part Triple Sec
- 1 Dash Lime Juice
- 1 Twist Orange