Underrated Cocktails: 8 Facts About Martinis You Should Know

1. The Martini’s Origins Are A Mystery

[{"selector":"#anim-b4b71907-7c59-4cf3-85d9-f7b9bf8dad57","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3b517baa-6a06-47ef-a67e-7eb192beadc1","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 204.49168%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash While many believe the martini was first made in the late 1800s in California, others claim it was invented in New York or even Europe.

2. Dry Vs. Wet: It's All About The Vermouth Ratio

[{"selector":"#anim-f275d206-7d56-48b4-8ced-c452f041bce2","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9d0ad59c-8d11-4e6a-b5a3-b03b1d59cd02","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 174.10633%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash A martini’s dryness is determined by the amount of vermouth used. A “dry” martini has just a hint of vermouth, while a “wet” martini has a more noticeable vermouth presence.

3. Martinis Were Once More Like A Shaken Cocktail

[{"selector":"#anim-e9a94258-5ae6-4bfd-8237-1a19c6eca3cb","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7a2d0b3f-b9fb-4bcc-b03c-c1b69c62500a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 204.49168%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash The James Bond-inspired “shaken, not stirred” Martinis are now famous, but originally, martinis were stirred to keep the drink clear and smooth.

4. Olives Are A Modern Addition

[{"selector":"#anim-181c27fd-9d5f-4c7b-9cdd-5b995b8ebe9a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6b05496e-6a1e-4ae8-b1b1-f4d5d7075973","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 204.49168%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash The classic garnish for a martini used to be a lemon twist or a citrus peel. The use of olives as a garnish became popular in the 1920s.

5. Martinis Can Be Made With Different Spirits

[{"selector":"#anim-38948a06-e464-4298-871e-3742c07c46b5","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-18d8d7f9-d014-44b6-b404-5af2d7d6964b","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 207.68318%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash While gin is the traditional base spirit for a martini, vodka has become an increasingly popular alternative. A “vodka martini” became a staple in the 20th century.

6. The Glass Isn’t Just For Show

[{"selector":"#anim-e27a6b43-703c-4b01-916f-63311a72da3f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ab539873-5320-4131-a41b-bca0720f007f","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 204.49168%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash The distinctive triangular shape of the martini glass is more than just a visual statement; it helps the drink stay colder for longer.

7. The Martini Has A Very Specific Temperature

[{"selector":"#anim-715165b2-a6c7-4184-9311-d892850e4059","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f7f4cbe2-5efd-44dd-881c-e29802ad960d","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 204.49168%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash The martini is best served ice-cold. The chilling process helps dilute the drink slightly, mellowing out the sharpness of the alcohol.

8. It’s A Drink For All Tastes

[{"selector":"#anim-8fa04001-f981-41d7-bcdb-ee41b24c5c2d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-24fccdb9-6d3b-4af2-a945-764ceb77cadb","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 266.97521%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash Despite its reputation as a cocktail for connoisseurs, martinis can be tailored to various preferences.

[{"selector":"#anim-b1d0caab-8050-43fa-ac24-c2f16e95bb05","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f5c74860-ef21-4071-8bc8-85096217443d","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 398.91962%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash Whether you’re a fan of gin, vodka, or a particular twist, the martini offers endless opportunities for exploration.