Should a martini be shaken or stirred? did James Bond get it right?
HAPPY MARTINI DAY! To celebrate this martini day I'll be serving up the history along with two recipes for this iconic classic cocktail. Plus answer the question, should a martini be shaken or stirred?
In 1911, a New York City bartender named Martini di Arma di Taggia began serving a cocktail made with gin, vermouth, orange bitters, and an olive garnish. Not that anyone agrees with this. In 1887 in San Francisco, a bartering manual appears to have the first printed recipe for a “Martinez”. A similar recipe that involves gin, sweet vermouth, Luxardo maraschino liqueur (a type of cherry liqueur) and Angostura bitters.
Should a martini be shaken or stirred?
A Martini is classic, elegant cocktail, and a favourite of the fictional 007, James Bond, which only boosted it's popularity. One thing always bothered me about James, why does he ask for shaken and not stirred martini? Should a martini be shaken or stirred? Apparently James, you have been drinking it wrong all your life because ideally it should be stirred not shaken.
Why stirred? A martini needs to be ice cold, but by shaking it with ice it adds tiny ice particles to the final cocktail. This dilutes the martini and makes it cloudy. While stirring with large ice cubes makes it as cold, not diluted and is crystal clear. To be honest, it is easier on the bartenders arms as well.
How to make a classic martini
-
Chill your martini glass.
-
Once chilled pour your vermouth into the glass, coat the inside then discard.
-
In a metal shaker add large ice cubes, then gin.
-
Stir briskly for 15 seconds.
-
Double strain into your glass
-
Garnish and enjoy.
How to Make a Dry Martini Shaken, not Stirred
-
Chill the martini glass.
-
In a metal shaker add ice, then gin.
-
Show the shaker there is a bottle of vermouth nearby.
-
Shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds.
-
Double strain into your glass. Garnish with lemon swath.
There you have two martini recipes and a little history this Martini day.
Bottoms up.
Josh
After some snacks to enjoy with your Martini?
Teriyaki Chicken Wings - finger-licking goodness
Potato Skin Chips - super tasty and fighting the war on waste
Green Tomato Fritters - a southern twist on domatokeftedes
Martini Recipes
Ingredients
Classic Stirred Martini
- 30 ml Dry vermouth
- 120 ml gin 94-proof
- 1-2 Olive for garnish
Dry Martini Shaken
- dry vermouth
- 120 ml gin
- lemon swath twisted
Instructions
Classic Stirred Martini
- Chill your martini glass.
- Once chilled pour your vermouth into the glass, coat the inside then discard.
- In a metal shaker add large ice cubes, then gin.
- Stir briskly for 15 seconds.
- Double strain into your glass
- Garnish and enjoy.
Dry Martini Shaken
- Chill the martini glass.
- In a metal shaker add ice, then gin.
- Show the shaker there is a bottle of vermouth nearby.
- Shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds.
- Double strain into your glass. Garnish with lemon swath.
Karl Winneker
Consider a "dirty" Martini, which is the addition of green olive juice to the drink.
The Martini will be cloudy, but that's to be expected when enjoying such a heavenly drink.
Sara McCleary
Hey Karl,
I actually don't mind a dirty martini. I often order them if having drinks with friends after work. I love the savoury note they get from the olive brine, it also means I get a snack via the olive 😉
Cheers, Sara
Rock Bigbie
Loved the history and Bond stuff.
Sara
Thanks Rock!
Rosemarie
I am definitely an add slice of twisted lemon to my martini - love just sighting the vermouth bottle
Jagruti
I don't consume any alcohol, but I don't mind making this recipe for someone 🙂 Nice info.
Suzy | The Mediterranean Dish
I really like your in-house shaken martini version! My husband is the drink maker in the family, I'll share with him. Thanks for sharing.
Low Carb with Jennifer
I've never tried a classic martini but if I ever order one it will be stirred. Thanks for the tip!
Christina Shoemaker
I have always wanted to like a martini and you've inspired me to try one again! They're so pretty and they look so classic! I do love flavored versions though. Maybe that means I like sugar too much. 😉
Marvellina - what to cook today
Wow...now i know Mr. Bond has drunk it wrong all these years lol
Gaby
Classic martini is my favourite cocktail, I don't mind if it's shaken or stirred but it's got to have vermouth and at least one olive.