If the first drink order that comes to mind when you enter a bar or lounge is a Martini, you’re not alone. Martinis are one of the most beloved cocktails of all time. They’ve been around for centuries bringing joy to drinkers from the moment they first originated. There are a lot of widespread beliefs about the evolution of the Martini, and there is definitely some mystery surrounding where the iconic cocktail originally came from.
There are also a handful of rules that come along with ordering, serving, and drinking Martinis. The ingredients in place for classic Martinis are as classy and upscale as it gets. The crucial detail about the temperature of your Martini glass isn’t something that should be swept under the rug. There’s a reason people don’t compare Martinis to lower-class cocktail options like Flaming Dr. Peppers or tall glasses of Jungle Juice.
There’s a reason you’ve seen Martinis mentioned in iconic movies and TV shows over the years as well. Scriptwriters who want certain projects to have a special allure to them know that even the mere mention of a Martini will elevate the storyline and create divine cinematic results. There’s a lot to be said about garnishes commonly used on Martinis, the difference between shaken and stirred Martinis, and the varied price points for the beloved beverage. (While we’re on the topic of alcoholic drinks people are obsessed with, click here for 15 things you should know about the famous Manhattan.)
To gather this list of 15 things, you should know about the iconic Martini, 24/7 Tempo consulted several food-centered sources. These include Sip Smith, Ginsations, The Martini Socialist, and Tasting Table.
The origin of the classic Martini is mysterious
Despite how popular the Martini is in America, many people have theorized that the origin of the Martini traces back to Europe. If the European theory is true, Martinis exist because of a German musician named John Paul Aegius Schwartgendorf. After relocating to France in 1958, he decided to change his name to something completely different.
Schwartgendorf started going by Jean Paul Aegide Martini as a way of attempting to fit in with Italian music composers. At the time, he was constantly drinking mixtures of white wine and gin. Eventually, his love for the blend of liquors was given a label — and it was chosen based on his music-inspired last name of choice.
Keep in mind that this is only one theory out of many for how the Martini came into existence. Since the true origin is still quite mysterious, the timeframe for when Martinis were first developed is also quite murky. Some history buffs are convinced that Martinis have been around since the late 1850s.
These simple ingredients go into a classic Martini
You’ll know that a bartender is correctly concocting a Martini if you see them combining gin and vermouth with a garnish on top. Drinkers who appreciate simplicity in their alcoholic beverages have every reason to obsess over Martinis. That’s because Martinis are one of the most simple and straight-to-the-point cocktail options out there.
Keep in mind that whoever is concocting your Martini should use more gin than vermouth to the drink. If they try to add an equal amount of each liquor, it’ll throw off the balance of the drink. It’s also acceptable to order a Martini straight or on the rocks. In the case of ordering a Martini on the rocks, ice cubes will also be included.
The temperature of your Martini glass should be chilled
You’re skipping a crucial step when making, serving, or enjoying a Martini if your glassware hasn’t been properly chilled ahead of time. Martinis are meant to be poured into pre-chilled glasses – always. When this important step is followed, your Martini stays cool and crisp for a longer period of time.
The chilled Martini glass typically gets a bit frosty, which adds a more pleasant aesthetic to the presentation of your drink. When ordering a Martini on the rocks, the alcohol will quickly start melting the ice cubes unless the drink has been served in a chilled glass. The easiest way to make sure the Martini glass is cold enough is by placing it in the freezer for 30 minutes to two hours before it’s time to start sipping.
Olives and lemon twists are the ideal garnishes for Martinis
The Martini isn’t the type of cocktail people get super creative with regarding the garnishes. There’s an ongoing debate about which garnish belongs on top of a Martini with some people convinced that it should be an olive. Others prefer the idea of a lemon peel as the garnish on top of their Martini, though. The ongoing battle between which garnish is best will probably live on forever.
Plenty of martini lovers go back-and-forth between which a garnish they’d prefer on top of their cocktail when ordering the drink from a bartender. Interestingly enough, the original garnish that was meant for Martinis was a cherry. Overtime, cherries lost their popularity with Martini drinkers. For now, folks interested in ordering cocktails with cherry garnishes should order drinks that tend to be on the sweeter side.
The Martini was featured in these epic TV shows and movies
Scriptwriters who want their movies and TV shows to give off more high-end and upscale vibes will occasionally add details about Martinis into their plot lines. Some of the most iconic projects to mention Martinis include “The Godfather,” “Mad Men,” and “Casablanca.” There’s no way movie lovers will forget the time James Bond ordered a Vesper Martini, either.
He specified that he wanted it, “Shaken, not stirred.” That line instantly became one of the most iconic lines in cinematic history. Because of that particular James Bond scene, Martinis are one of the most commonly ordered drinks among men at bars and lounges. Of course, women order Martinis too… but men who resonate with the masculine heroism of James Bond are the target demographic.
There’s a big difference between Martinis that are shaken and Martinis that are stirred
Are you curious to know the real difference between a Martini that’s shaken instead of one that’s stirred? The biggest contrast of all is that shaking a Martini will cause the ice to start melting into the drink at a faster rate. When a Martini is gently stirred, the ice won’t melt as fast, which means the drink won’t be diluted at a quicker rate.
A Martini that’s shaken will also look a little cloudier than you might hope. A Martini that stirred, on the other hand, will maintain its visual clarity. Another distinction is that a shaken Martini will have a colder temperature as it passes to your mouth. A stirred Martini will also have a cool temperature, but it won’t be as dramatic.
A classic martini has 2.25 ounces to 32% alcohol
When sipping on a classic Martini, keep in mind that 2.25 ounces have about 32% of alcohol. You’re looking at a drink with about two shots of pure alcohol if your Martini is made with gin or vodka combined with dry vermouth. Any Martini that’s been concocted with a little extra vodka than vermouth will have a higher alcohol percentage than normal.
If you’re hoping to order a more easygoing cocktail with a little less alcohol in it, you’ll be better off asking for a margarita from your bartender. If you’re aiming to order a hard-hitting cocktail with a lot more alcohol in it, requesting a Long Island Iced Tea from your bartender will be your best bet.
A six-ounce vodka martini contains 120 calories
Are you watching your calorie intake these days? If so, it’s best to remember that a six-ounce a vodka Martini contains about 120 calories in total. Plenty of people who order alcoholic beverages are unbothered by the number of calories included because they have intentions of dancing the night away. After all, dancing leads to calorie burning
Others enjoy, drinking alcohol in a more leisurely manner by ordering it along their dinner or enjoying a cocktail while peacefully socializing with friends. If there isn’t going to be much movement in your night, you don’t have to stress too much about the calorie count in a martini since it isn’t very high. You might hesitate a bit before ordering a dirty Martini, though, since they can have up to 330 cal per glass.
Frank Sinatra, Franklin Roosevelt, and other famous folks loved Martinis
Martinis have been adored by loads of famous people around the globe. James Bond is a fictional character who mentioned his love for Martinis in an unforgettable scene, but there are also tons of real-life individuals who opened up about their admiration for the iconic drink.
Former President Franklin Roosevelt genuinely enjoyed well-made martinis. Frank Sinatra, with all of his musical talent, is remembered for enjoying Martinis every once in a while. Winston Churchill, the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, has also been quoted speaking highly of Martinis during his lifetime.
The price of a Martini can range from $7.50 to $25
Depending on where you’re ordering your Martini from, the price can range anywhere between $7.50 to $25. Of course, it’s crucial to pay attention to the establishment you’re ordering your Martini from. If you’re at a low-scale pub or a dive bar, the drink prices are going to be a lot cheaper.
The ritzier the location is, the higher the chances are of a massive tab at the end of the night. The city of Las Vegas, for example, is full of high-end bars, lounges, and nightclubs. In Las Vegas, it isn’t surprising to find $25 Martinis on the menu. The same rule applies in Hollywood, New York, and Miami. As a reminder, the price point of $7.50 to $25 for Martinis doesn’t include the tip that bartenders also expect from their clientele.
National Martini day falls on June 19th each year
The special day when alcohol drinkers can celebrate their love for Martinis comes around each year like clockwork. National Martini Day falls on June 19th annually. June 19th is a fabulous day to hit your favorite bars and lounges to find out if the bartenders and barkeeps are offering a special deal on Martinis.
For national holidays like this one, bar owners occasionally offer discounted rates as a way of getting into the festive spirit. Martinis aren’t the only cocktails to garner their own national holidays, either. May 7th is National Cosmopolitan Day, July 10th is National Piña Colada Day, July 11th is National Mojito Day, and the list goes on.
Martinis once tasted a lot sweeter and spicier than they do now
There’s nothing sweet or spicy about the flavor of a modern-day Martini. That’s because Martinis are recognized for being incredibly simple and dry. Interestingly enough, old-school Martinis used to be a lot sweeter and spicier than they are today. A quick analyzation of outdated cocktail books printed in the 19th century serves as proof.
The ingredient list for Martinis used to be a tad longer with one addition. Along with gin and vermouth, bartenders would add four drops of Angostura bitters as well. For those who’ve never tasted Angostura bitters, the flavor can be described as sweet and spicy with notes of nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves.
A simple olive brine is what makes a Martini “dirty”
What’s the real difference between a classic Martini and a dirty Martini? It all comes down to a simple olive brine. Although you might not think that an olive brine makes the biggest difference, it certainly has an impact in the world of alcoholic beverages. Visually speaking, an olive brine makes it easier for the drinker to enjoy bites of olive in between sips.
Drinkers who prefer their Martinis dry will avoid olive brines in the form of dirty Martinis. The olive brine naturally adds more olive juice to the drink, which means the level of dryness will be minimized. There is no right or wrong way to enjoy a Martini, but dirty Martinis are known for being “wetter” than classic ones.
A Martini with two olives is considered bad luck
People who are superstitious should keep an eye out for Martinis served with two olives. According to old-school tradition and folklore, when a Martini is served with two olives, it’s considered bad luck. Any bartender serving you a drink with two olives might not have your best intention at heart.
The reason behind the superstition is that even numbers represent bad luck when it comes to alcoholic beverages. Bartenders who are experienced enough will only serve martinis with one or three olives to their guests. They’ll typically always avoid serving Martinis with two or four olives to avoid bad tips from their clientele.
Several songs have been released in honor of Martinis
Over the years, several songs have been released in honor of Martinis. These songs often include the word “Martini” in the title or opening lyrics. The Presets is a band that released a song called “Martini” in 2018. “Dirty Martini” is another song that was released by Joe Jackson in 2003. A separate musician named David Arnold released a song called “Dirty Martini” in 2006. In 2016, a band called Prodigy released “Dirty Martini,” followed by Lee Rocker releasing “A Dirty Martini” in 2021.
Most recently in 2023, Austin Mahone released a song called “Dirty Martini” as a way of paying homage to the popular cocktail. An entire band took inspiration from the cocktail name after forming in 1994. Pink Martini is a beloved band that’s been around for decades releasing music that fits into the jazz category. For more details about alcoholic beverages, click here for 28 popular cocktails that won’t expand your waistline .