Sophisticated, evocative, and delicious, the martini will never go out
of style. Appearing in countless movies--for example, any one of the
Bond films--it's one of the most popular and well-known cocktails of all
time. Making a martini is simplicity personified, the classic recipe
requiring just two ingredients (not counting the garnish): gin and
vermouth. And now man-about-town Matt Hranek is here to tell us
everything we need to know about the iconic cocktail. Like Hranek's The
Negroni, The Martini will give readers insight into the drink's
nineteenth-century-origins, as well as the tools for making 35 simple
variations of the drink--a combination of recipes from the author,
recipes from experts/bartenders around the world, and iconic versions
that any martini fanatic needs to have on hand.
Included are the author's own version, always with gin (never vodka),
served ice cold and dry with a twist of lemon (or, on very rare
occasions, like when he is hungry, an olive); the Martinez (circa 1849),
named for the city of Martinez about 25 miles northeast of San
Francisco, where some say this all began; a lime martini, a nod to
Hranek's father, who loved a gin and tonic; and New York City legend
Russ & Daughters Cafe's own martinis, "The Lower East Side" and "The
Smoked Martini." There will be details on ingredients, methods (to shake
or to stir?), garnish, equipment, glassware; where to get the best
martini around the world, and more. Beautiful original and archival
photography make this an irresistible gift for anyone who loves to enjoy
a martini.
