Where Martinis Came From

Learn Where Martinis Came From - How to Make a Lemon Drop
Martini
By Eileen Childs

If you like martinis then read on and learn about both the
history of the martini and about a tasty, cool cocktail called
the Lemon Drop Martini.

History of the Martini

The martini is a cocktail made with gin or vodka and dry white
vermouth, and is considered by many to be among the top six
variations of a cocktail type drink.

It is believed that the martini originated in Martinez, which
is the town where I grew up. Martinez is located on the south
side of the Carquinez Strait in the San Francisco Bay Area,
facing the city of Benicia. It's the birthplace of New York
Yankee baseball star Joe DiMaggio, and was the childhood home of
Norv Turner, head coach of the Washington Redskins football
team.

If you go to the corner of the intersection of Alhambra Avenue
and Masonic Street, you will find a plaque commemorating the
birth of the martini. The first known reference to the martini
being invented in Martinez can be found in The Bon Vivant's
Companion: Or How to Mix Drinks (1887 edition), by "Professor"
Jerry Thomas, a head bartender who worked in many well know
places, including the Occidental Hotel in San Francisco,
California. According to George A. Zabriske, who republished the
original book in 1928, Jerry Thomas had a client who took a
ferry from the Occidental Hotel to Martinez, each morning.
Thomas mixed him a "Martinez" to keep the morning chill off, and
named the drink after his client's destination.

The Lemon Drop Martini

One of my favorite versions of the martini is the Lemon Drop
Martini. This drink is a sweet, lemony drink that became popular
during the 1970's in California. Remember the lemon drop candies
you used to get at the movies when you were a kid? This drink
has become a favorite on the West Coast. One account suggests
that this drink originated in a bar called Henry's Africa in San
Francisco. This was a well-known singles bar and was said to
develop and push "girl-drinks". These are drinks that are made
very sweet to cover the taste of alcohol.

Lemon Drop Martini Recipe

The Lemon Drop Martini has become a favorite of my guests. Here
is the recipe:

1 1/2 ounces vodka
1/2 ounce Triple Sec
1 teaspoon superfine sugar
3/4 ounce freshly squeezed or bottled lemon juice
Ice cubes
Lemon Wedge or Twist

To prepare glass, put it into the freezer until it is frosty
cold. Then rub the rim of the glass with lemon and dip the glass
in super fine sugar to create an edge of sugar on the glass.

Mix the vodka, Triple Sec, sugar, and lemon juice in a shaker
half-filled with ice; shake well until well blended. Pour
strained liquid into sugar-rimmed martini glass and garnish with
lemon.

Then enjoy! Remember to be careful drinking these. They really
are sweet, but potent! And remember, the next time you are in
the San Francisco Bay Area, stop by a little town called
Martinez and see where the martini was born.

About the Author: For cocktail party tips and more, visit
http://www.cocktailsandbeerandwine.com/ and plan your next
cocktail party today!

Source: http://www.isnare.com

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