Dry, Dirty, Shaken or Stirred?

Do you prefer it dry, dirty, shaken, or not stirred?  That’s the question we’re all asking on National Martini Day, a special occasion to enjoy your favorite version of the classic martini cocktail. The martini was originally called “The Martinez,” named after the California Gold Rush for the town of Martinez, where it was invented.

Early martinis were made with wine, gin, and an olive. If you’re not a gin fan you might have some trouble loving a martini, but if you do like gin, the martini is the essential drink to highlight the flavor of juniper berries and complement it with new and interesting flavors such as grapefruit or even espresso. If gin just isn’t your thing, don’t give up! Many cocktail bars and mixologists have since expanded their martini repertoires to include many exciting variations!

If you haven’t made your self a martini at home ever do an online search for recipes to test out the classic martini, or an interesting twist that suits your fancy. You only need eight things on hand to make a perfect martini: ice, a martini glass, a shot glass, a shaker, a strainer, vermouth, gin, and a garnish. If you already are a cocktail master, take today to try out a new one you’ve never tasted. Espresso martini, gin martini, cranberry martini, lemon martini, grapefruit martini: the possibilities are endless.

If you’d rather go out than stay in, text your friends for an after work meet-up. Martini Bars have seem to have popped up everywhere these days, and chances are good there’s a groovy one in your neighborhood. Bonus points if you can find a cocktail bar with a piano and a lounge singer, because the only thing that makes drinking a martini better, is drinking it in the proper lounge setting.

Do you need a mixer set to get started in your mixology adventure? Buy cocktails ingredients and bring them over to a friends house. Because, in reality, the enjoyment of drinking cocktails is truly about the company you keep.

Martinis conjure up all sorts of images of high class ladies, James bond spies and adventure. You can take advantage of this and have a martini party or outing themed specifically towards the fun that automatically arrives when you order a Martini. So this June 19^th, take a moment to relax while sipping on a new type of martini after your long day and start feeling like the international spy of mystery that you are!

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