Despite the fact that I stopped drinking them three years ago, I still believe there is nothing finer than a really great Martini. I know that today is a day of remembrance, but maybe it needs to be a day to slow down, too. I contend that making one Martini (one, only one) and sipping it slowly is one of life's finest ways to halt and reflect. Enjoy.
First things first, a good Martini requires a good kiss.
A good kiss of gin.
A good (though little) kiss of vermouth.
Probably several good kisses on the lips of the woman or man for whom you are making the Martini.
And the most important kiss of all, that silly acronym KISS that reminds us all to Keep It Simple Stupid.
Making the perfect martini is a great art form.
But like all great things, it is pure and simple.
Here goes. Enjoy. And believe me, you will.
1. Take your simple stainless steel cocktail shaker and fill it with as much ice as you can (form follows function with this type of shaker—there is no substitute).
2. Fill this ice filled cocktail shaker half way with a great gin (Bombay Sapphire, Plymouth, Tanqueray Malaca, Boodles, to name a few).
3. Fill the cap of a vermouth bottle with vermouth and dump it in the icy gin.
4. Cap your cocktail skaker and shake it until your hands stick to the outsides because of a build up of frost (this is the most important step – YOUR MARTINI CAN NEVER BE TOO COLD!!!!)
5. Have two stemmed martini glasses ready, and pour your ice cold shaken martini into these beauties (don’t ever think about stirring martinis—the gin will not bruise).
6. Skip the olives, they take up too much room. A twist of lemon peel will suffice and give you something to nibble at the end of your drink.
7. Remember what Dorothy Parker said…
I like to have a Martini
Two at the very most—
After three I’m under the table,
After four I’m under my host.
3 smart alecky remarks:
I'm taking your martini tips to heart. It's good to know that gin won't bruise. In the old days, we were always told to stir martinis in a pitcher, so I felt guilty using my nifty stainless steel cocktail shaker. No more! Maybe I should even throw out that tall thin martini pitcher. Oops, I forgot, it's already packed!
You will never be sorry to shake hard. The harder the better I say. Thanks for joining the shaking nation.
You should submit this to MAXIM or MEN'S HEALTH.
Post a Comment