 The Vodka Martini
Ian Flemings, James Bond character has always been associated with tuxedos,
exotic locales, evil villains, new gadgets, beautiful women, champagne and
of course the MARTINI!
Let's start with the basics: Traditional Martini vs Vodka Martini
A traditional martini (as opposed to a vodka martini) is made with gin, dry vermouth and either an olive or a lemon peel. Nothing else. And a proper gin martini should be stirred.
A vodka martini uses vodka instead of gin (or adds vodka to the gin as the early Bond does) and sometimes allows other ingredients.Virtually unheard of until Ian Flemming and his favorite character James Bond introduced the world to the Vodka Martini. The success of the Bond films propelled the popularity of the vodka martini.
The nature of vodka (no distinct flavor) encouraged experimentation and quickly resulted in the multitude of martini flavors and recipes that have made the Vodka Martini the huge hit it remains today.
TRY: The Basic Vodka Martini recipe or search from over 70 different Martini recipes.
James Bond's First Martini
James Bond's First Cocktail
Not a Martini, but the Americano from Casino Royale: The first of the many Bond martini references (the Vesper) begins in the same book, but after the Americano
James Bond's First Martini:
Author Ian Fleming gives a recipe for Bond's preferred libation in his first book, Casino Royale (1953): chapter 7:
"A dry martini," he said. "One. In a deep champagne goblet."
"Oui, monsieur."
"Just a moment. Three measures of Gordon's, one of vodka, half a measure of Kina Lillet. Shake it very well until it’s ice-cold, and then add a large thin slice of lemon-peel. Got it?"
Bond refers to this drink as the Vesper after the beautiful, and doomed double agent. (note: Kina Lillet is a brand of vermouth).
SHAKEN vs STIRRED
The main differences between a vodka martini, which has been stirred, and one which has been shaken.
- A shaken martini is usually colder than one stirred, since the ice has had a chance to cool most of the drink.
- "Bruising" is a result of shaking a martini which dissolves air into the mix. This bruising makes some martini drinkers complain about their martini tasting too "sharp."
- A shaken martini will more completely dissolve the vermouth, giving a less oily mouth feel to the drink.
Bottom line
Even though few martini drinkers can tell the difference, you should:
- Shake your Vodka Martini
Why: For a vodka martini to be good it needs to be cold. Very Cold! Therefore, shaking a vodka martini makes it colder.
- Stir your Gin martini:
A gin, or traditional, martini benefits by being smooth and one can enjoy the delicate flavors of the individual gin.
A "Presidents" thoughts on the issue....
(President Bartlet from "The West Wing")
Bartlet: “Can I tell you what's messed up about James Bond?”
Charlie: “Nothing.”
Bartlet: “Shaken, not stirred, will get you cold water with a dash of gin and dry vermouth. The reason you stir it with a special spoon is so not to chip the ice. James is ordering a weak martini and being snooty about it.”
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Bond, James Bond: Trivia, Quotes and Cocktails
Read our extensive list of James Bond Cocktail Quotes and Trivia »
JAMES BOND: "I never have more than one drink before dinner. But I do like that one to be large and very strong and very cold and very well-made. This drink is my own invention. I'm going to patent it when I can think of a good name."
--Ian Fleming, Casino Royale
ONE FINAL THOUGHT
From the the British Medical Journal (on-line edition)
"Shaken martinis may enhance the antioxidant effects of alcohol, making them healthier than the stirred variety!" |
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