National Martini Day

If you didn't know that June 19th is national Martini day, well by all means let's all raise a glass. It has an interesting history along with several stories of how it actually came into being. The most famous of them is legendary bartender Jerry Thomas who was working at the Occidental Hotel in San Fransisco, CA in the second half of the nineteenth century.  When a traveler on his way to Martinez, CA stopped in for a drink and wanted him to make him something special, Jerry created one in honor of the place he was headed.  He mixed one pony (one ounce) Old Tom Gin, one wine glass (four ounces) Italian sweet vermouth, a dash of Boker's bitters, two dashes of maraschino liqueur, and called it the Martinez cocktail.  The Martini has evolved over the decades and some even think a Martini is made with Vodka and various flavored syrups, but that's proves criminal negligence!

If you talk about a classic Martini, then it's a two to one ratio (that dates back to 1915) including bitters. Meaning two parts of top shelf gin to one part dry or semi dry vermouth and a few dashes of orange bitters, shaken very hard and served in a stem glass usually about three to four ounces. A popular recipe I use is the following:

Classic Martini


1 1/2 oz gin (such as No 209 or Hendricks) Don't even think about Beefeaters or Seagrams
3/4 oz vermouth such as Cinzano  Blanco or dry
2 - 3 dashes of orange bitters (such as Regan's or Fee Brothers)

Shake very hard with ice for about 20 seconds and serve in a chilled cocktail glass.

Give it a try and let me know what you think, happy National Martini day!

God bless and Cheers,

John Apodaca
john@daddyosmartinis.com

Nothing more standard than a Gimlet

If ever there was a drink that is so standard that even the most novice bartender could not mess up would be the Gimlet. Author Raymond Chandler mentions it in his book, the Last Goodbye as charterer Detective Philip Marlowe has one in the bar but wants it with bitters.

This concoction is made up of gin and and Roses lime juice. Yes you heard me say Roses rather than fresh squeezed lime juice. It's makes for a sweeter drink than tartness that could bring this brand of martini and could be palatable for non real martini drinkers. My personal tastes are to add a few dashes of real lime juice so it's not too sweet or another bent on the drink is adding Saint Germain but then it becomes a French Gimlet.

The drink was has several accounts of it's origin, one is that a British surgeon named Sir Thomas D. Gimlette came up with the ideas after joining the royal navy in 1879. He suggested that the men on board should take this drink for medicinal purposes, thus the name Gimlet.  Another origin of the drink is that it's named after a corkscrew- like tool that that was sent with lime juice containers to British colonies during the late eighteenth century. Like the Martini, we may not know where, when, and who really invented it but it's great conversation over a drink. Ask you're bartender to make one for you or try it at home.

The Gimlet


1 1/2 oz top shelf gin
1/2 oz Roses lime juice

Shake vigorously and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Orange Noir Cocktail

Anyone enjoy dark chocolate oranges as much as I do? I've always been a fan of this tasty treat with the wedges that break off for several to enjoy with no excuse needed to savor. What better way to celebrate this classic childhood treat with an adult libation called the Orange Noir?  A tasty blend of dark European chocolate and fresh squeezed orange juice that is irresistible to any palate. 


Put down that chocolate vodka martini and try this cocktail now. This is one of Daddy-O's Martinis latest creations and no one has been disappointed, even the hard core vodka drinkers that claim they don't like the taste of gin.  Everyone who's tried it says it's so tasty they can't even taste the alcohol. Make it for yourself, I guarantee you won't be disappointed.


Orange Noir Cocktail         
                                                                                                                             
1 ounce gin (Bombay Sapphire works well)
1 ounce fresh squeezed orange juice
¾ ounce fresh lemon juice
½ ounce Mozart Chocolate Pure87 Black (not a brand with cream in it!)
½ ounce Creme de Cocoa
Shake all ingredients well with ice.  Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and 
garnish with an orange peel.