About Dry Martinis

Of all the endless varieties of cocktails, a dry martini is the simplest and most classic. It is made quickly and easily by mixing vermouth and gin, and topped off with an olive (or more than one if you're feeling really indulgent).

History of the Dry Martini

E.B. White once said that the dry martini is "the elixir of quietude." The concoction was popularized by Sean Connery's delivery as James Bond specifying he wanted his martini, "Shaken, not stirred." After the film's release, the sale of vodka increased drastically, replacing the once-lauded Vesper martini, which contains gin, vodka and Kina Lillet.

Originally, a dry martini was a combination of gin and vermouth, but the amount of vermouth gradually decreased until being almost completely eliminated in the 1960s by the fame of Dr. No and Goldfinger, strong influencers of the drink's evolution. The drink was first created in the 1850s in California. Jerry Thomas, a bartender in San Francisco, is purported to have come up with the drink, but there is a likely chance that it was around even before then. Although no one can attribute the drink's invention to any one person, whoever he was must have been a quiet hero.

Variations on the Dry Martini

For those who prefer their martini with that something extra, there are numerous combinations and flavors to revamp the classic, though somewhat plain, cocktail. The American contains one part vermouth and four parts vodka; the cosmopolitan contains vodka, triple sec and cranberry juice with a hint of lime juice thrown in the mix; the espresso martini requires three parts vanilla vodka, two parts (room temperature) espresso, one part kahlua and a garnished of cocoa powder and cinnamon. Other popular versions are usually of the fruit variety, including the crantini, the apple martini and the peach martini. Flirtinis are also well-known, aside from the cosmopolitan, for being featured on Sex and the City. The drink contains champagne, pineapple juice and vodka.

Harry Craddock, Bartender and Patron Saint of the Dry Martini

Although the dry martini has no known inventor, Harry Craddock was the premier bartender at London's Savoy Hotel in the 1920s and vastly improved the quality of the dry martini. An expatriate who shrewdly absconded from New York City when Prohibition went into effect, Craddock's drinks became legendary at the Savoy and resulted in the publication of his book of drink recipes, "The Savoy Cocktail Book." Craddock is reputed to have favored the dry martini heavily, his recipe a traditional take containing equal parts gin and dry vermouth, omitting orange bitters. Retired at 74, Craddock most certainly left his imprint on the cocktail scene.

The Dry Martini: A Little Goes a Long Way

Let's face it: Limiting yourself to a certain number of martinis keeps the bottom half of your figure looking less like the top half of a martini glass. Even supposing one enjoys a dry martini without all of the frivolous add-ons (as in a peach martini), there are still quite a few calories in the classic version. Three ounces of vodka, one ounce of dry vermouth, and half an ounce of olive brine all add up to approximately 175 calories. It's rather sobering, yes. So try to make that first dry martini last before thinking of ordering a second.

The Endless Potential of the Dry Martini

Everyone has a specific way to enjoy his or her dry martini. Whether it is the tried and true vermouth and gin combination or the vodkatini, substituting gin with vodka, or adding flavored vodka into the cocktail, there is something for everybody in this beverage. Some people prefer bitters and some do not. Some people like their glass coated, while others are more spartan. Some people prefer olives, while others prefer twists of lemon or lime. The point is, there are very few limits to the potential of this fine cocktail. It can be modified and amended in so many ways, but is still somehow familiar and recognizable.

Resources

• A detailed history of the martini
• A brief description of Harry Craddock
• Lists caloric breakdown of a Ketel One martini