I am of an age that September is back to school month, even though most schools start earlier. It’s the change to fall, as leaves start changing, the temperatures start cooling, and the days get shorter. So for this month, let’s go back to the drink that eventually evolved into the modern Martini, the Martinez.
Yes, this does mean another dip back into gin, but as this is also the transition to fall, it’s likely the last gin drink I provide as a Cocktail of the Month this year.
The Origin
This is an old drink, being in the O. H. Byron Bartender’s Guide (1884):
From that, you can see that we already have variants going back to the 19th century. Everything that I’ve found and read indicate that the Manhattan predates the Martinez, and was the general inspiration for it.
When dealing with old cocktail recipes like this, one thing to keep in mind is that when they’re referencing gin, they were very unlikely to be referring to the modern preference for London dry gin. Instead they were more likely made with either Old Tom gin or jenever. Both of those have different flavor profiles than London dry. Personally, I have not cared for the only jenever that I’ve found in Ohio (Bols), there’s a note in it that hits like artificial sweetener to me.
The Recipe
We’ve got the classic recipe up above, the drink continued to evolve to add another ingredient to add another note and a touch more sweetness, Maraschino liqueur.
- 6 parts (1.5 oz) gin
- 6 parts (1.5 oz) sweet vermouth
- 1 part (0.25 oz) Maraschino liqueur (think Luxardo over Heerings here)
- 2 dashes aromatic bitters
To build this drink, get a mixing glass (or the bottom of a shaker), and add the ingredients. Put in ice, and stir until well chilled (10-20 seconds). After this, strain it into a chilled coupe/Nick and Nora glass and garnish with an expressed orange twist.
From this, we can see the bones of what eventually becomes the modern Martini. Swap the sweet vermouth for dry, drop the liqueur, change the bitters from aromatic to orange (or leave them out… sigh…), and adjust ratios and garnishes.
Variations
The obvious variations are with the gins that you use to build the drink, as well as the vermouth that you’re using. Making an adjustment to a ‘perfect’ (a term for Manhattans that means to split the vermouth evenly between sweet and dry) Martinez would also provide a new variant.
Batch Prepping
As a stirred cocktail, this works quite well as a freezer door cocktail. To batch them up that way, stick with the recipe as provided, and add 4 parts (1 oz) water to the recipe. Stir it up, put into a clean bottle/jar and stick it either in the freezer or fridge, and enjoy.
Mocktail Version
This being a stirred cocktail with all alcohol based ingredients, this is a tough one to make into a mocktail. The only way that you can get close would be with the alcohol removed spirits, which as I’ve stated previously, I’m not a fan of.
I hope this introduces some of you to a new drink you enjoy, and I hope you enjoy the month. Let me know in the comments if there’s any subjects you want me to touch on going forward, to ask questions, or just to complain that I suggest too many gin recipes.
I assume you’re familiar with the “Drinking History” youtube channel? It’s the Tasting History guy, but with booze. And the episodes are only half as long and the history part is more specific to the drink being made.
Years ago, I’d avoid his videos because I couldn’t stand his voice. He’s worked on his presenter’s voice since then and attached a watchable rating.
(I can’t recall how many years ago)
His content is right up my alley. Despite being gay and a former corporate Disney employee, he also avoids being insufferable. Seems like a decent honest human being.
Never had a problem with his voice. Didn’t know he did a drinking channel, either.
I’m not a big fan of video as content like that, as I can read faster than they can talk, and I retain written text much better than audio.
He’s the one that got me making Mai Tais which led me to start making cocktails.
Max Miller drinks Mai Thais?
This is my shocked face.
He has an episode dedicated to pina coladas.
Does he have one dedicated to getting caught in the rain too?
You really think a gay Imagineer didn’t make that joke on that video?
And this is why we no longer have Disney Plus.
Am I the only one that despises that song?
The days are noticeably shorter, as the sun disappears behind the trees one can feel the cool down. Today’s forecast is probably going to be the last 80F day ’til June, ’27.
2 plus weeks ’til Honey Harvest, attendees are reminded to bring a sweater/light jacket.
Will be great to see the Glib legions again.
Freezing will be a nice change of pace from melting.
We have cloud cover so it actually went down to 85 degrees. Incredible.
It’s been scattered showers here for the last four days.
Dumb me I have stuff outside that needs covered that I didn’t get put away three weeks ago.
Oh well.
Gotta hide those bodies before the rains come and make them all squishy.
The early trees are changing color here. I doubt the temperatures will go above 90 for the rest of the year. There are some 80+ days in the ten day forecast.
Sadly, no Honey Harvest for me this year.
Year round gin drinking for me.
*shrug*
For Glibs, wouldn’t “round-the-clock gin drinking” be more appropriate?
Nah. I’m not a big fan of gin.
Round the ‘clock drinking, perhaps. Some of us have a sense of decorum as to what cocktail is appropriate for which time of day…
some of us rarely drink these days
Suns over the yard arm somewhere, Sheldon.
Gin + grapefruit juice is great.
My mind on my money and my money on my mind.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNd2GvhvHkY
In cooler months, I tend toward whiskey drinks more.
I am mostly rum all year, my wife likes gin.
Agreed.
I particularly prefer Scotch in the fall and winter. Rye year round, bourbon in the spring.
This is how you do it.
Hmm. I have a bottle of Old Tom gin lurking around – can’t remember what I bought it for. Maybe I’ll give this one a try tonight.
Also, that is a lovely stirring pitcher.
Thanks. It’s a cheap one I got in a set of 2 from Amazon. They have a nice heft to them as well.
I agree, it is much prettier than mine.
I’ve been very open in the past about my dislike of jiggers, and my preference for the 2 ounce measuring cups. The bottom half of a shaker pair works just fine as a mixing pitcher.
The biggest issue is that I need to remind myself to use the plastic ones when making small batches of simple syrup. Boiling water + stainless steel measuring cup = burning fingers.
Jigger please!
I’m the exact opposite of Neph.
* seriously, what is wrong with getting jiggy with it?
I had a very nice Yarai crystal mixing glass for many years, that I dropped into the kitchen sink a couple months ago. Probably past time to get a new one…
I like jenever but don’t really have much of it locally. Bols (or their distributor) pissed off the state liquor agency and almost entirely gone except for the barrel aged which isn’t very good. Would love to see more oude and malt wine here.
There’s been more of an uptick in the Old Tom style gins than the genever/jenever style. I’m interested in trying another to see if it’s the spirit in general I dislike or if it’s just Bols. When doing my research, I found a distillery down Columbus way that’s doing a genever.
Meanwhile, down on the plantation
Black women candidates could make historic gains in the November midterm elections. That’s good news for all Americans, because it’s a sign our country is overcoming centuries of racism and sexism to take advantage of everyone’s talents.
Data shared with me by Rutgers’ Center for American Women in Politics and Higher Heights shows that with nearly all primaries concluded, 77 Black women have secured spots on midterm ballots as candidates for the U.S. House and Senate, governorships and other statewide offices. Seventy-one are Democrats.
The Black women who get elected will make America even greater than it already is because our nation’s diversity enables all types of people to combine their differing knowledge, experiences and perspectives to work together to build a better future for us all. Black women have a lot to contribute when given the chance.
These people are more race-obsessed than Jefferson Davis.
Six race traitors. Why do I assume Donna values their voices less?
When Younkin won the Governor of VA with Winsome Sears as his Lieutenant Governor, there were many stories written and talk shows featuring all of the historic gains by blacks, yet not one mentioned her.
I’d actually love to see the GOP put a black woman up in 2028. I don’t think any Republican is winning, but it would be like throwing a grenade into the Woke 2.0 gameplan the far left is executing.
Candice 28!
Black girl magic can save us!
I’m sold.
Please tell us, Donna, what does 92% of that cohort have to offer that is the slightest bit different from any other Democrat? I’ll wait.
Expensive nails and a weave.
And the Black Card.
Wow that’s good news! I don’t recall ever seeing any black women in congress, especially not ones who are blabbing all over the talk shows!
After slavery ended, many Black children were forced to leave school at a young age to join the workforce to help their families farm or to take low-wage jobs, which were the only jobs open to them.
JFC, this was hardly unusual across any race in the 19th century, but race baiters gon’ bait.
Gotta read between the lines…they were slaves only to be freed into the slavery system of Capitalism!
A total of 44 Black women — 41 of them Democrats
It’s like some sort of congenital illness.
All the diversity except when it comes to thought.
They would see 10 liberal black ladies and call it a very diverse group.
Well, I am taking off tomorrow so I have a 4 day Commie Labor Day.
I ordered a bottle of High Noon premade Old Fashioneds and a bottle of Bulliett Rye Whiskey for the long weekend.
I shall float in the pool and play Black Jack and Sequence with guests. Steak is on the menu.
What is everyone else doing?
I’m working tomorrow.
If the rain does let up, I have to paint the railing and seal the concrete steps, needs to be done before the snows come.
*bleep*
I’m probably going to have to buy a disposable drop cloth to protect the side of my house and the steps. Probably should re-up the painter’s tape supply too.
😕
Yard work and trash runs.
Very exciting, this life I lead.
We’re hosting my mother in law’s birthday party on Saturday. A few more people than I’d like, but she is popular for good reason. Looks like we’ve got a little more hot weather the next few days so I’ll get in the pool too.
Having that third day off will be nice, I am in need of a break.
Holding down a recliner and the couch still.
Little bit of paperwork later today. Gotta pay the bills.
If my nerve block ever gives up I’ll get some stuff done. I’m doubly handicapped now.
Going to be going to one of the best Oktoberfests in the US. I’ll be going with the VIP pass again, which includes:
Admission
A [plastic] 1 liter stein
“5” fills of the stein (there’s a wristband, but some tents don’t mark them)
A meal (previous years it was Das Schntizel Haus providing schnitzel, potato salad, braised cabbage, sauerkraut, and bread)
A surprise gift from Jagermeister (it’ll be a plastic shot glass and a shot based on previous experience)
Access to a VIP area with tent and air conditioned bathrooms.
That sounds like fun.
A [plastic]
1 liter steinMaß“5” fills of the
steinMaß (there’s a wristband, but some tents don’t mark them)Fixed it for you.
Except for the tourist trash Dirndl on the front page of the website, that looks great. Almost like Oktoberfest in München. My relatives and I sometimes attend this one which isn’t as big but has a very nice Biergarten style picnic area under the trees.
DEG:
I took it right from their page. 🙂
It’s a fun time. Lots of vendors (food/drink, tchotchkes, and apparel), lots of people having fun, live bands, and the big dancing moments on top of the main bar.
I took it right from their page. 🙂
/puts dunce cap on
Grilling & chilling. (Sat-Mon)
Might go break some clays Monday.
Shooting. Lots and lots of shooting. I want to get plenty of practice in for 2-Gun Nats in November – plus I have a local 2-gun match on Sunday.
Mostly the usual other than the last local minor league game of the regular season. Current heat wave is supposed to be over by then. Then next Thursday we’ll get to see at least one playoff game before they crap out. ⚾🧢
Work tomorrow..after that who knows. Maybe grill, maybe smoke some meats, maybe do absolutely nothing.
Another Oktoberfest in the area might be had too.
For some reason, don’t know why, this scene popped into my mind. I imagine it is somewhat adjacent to the shenanigans that will ensue at Casa RJ.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPxiXGr9nFM
Fat, naked and green is no way for me to go through life. I wear a swim suit.
I was going to have all the guys over, but my wife is helping one of her friends post-surgery. So it would be me solo, entertaining about 6 people. I do not want to put that much energy into it, so I cancelled all events.
RJ, you never now who might show up. I’m sure your wife is understanding, and won’t mind a bit.
NHLA event tomorrow.
Weather dependent activities: shooting and yard work.
They finished our kitchen and bathroom remodel today (well, almost – there is the replastering change order still to go), so I expect I will be doing a lot of cleanup and general fussing around subsequent to that.
I went to possibly the best Oktoberfest ever back in 1987. I was just out of law school, and we visited some friends in Bad Tolz, a scenic Bavarian village. He was in the military and posted there. We just happened to be there when they were doing their Oktoberfest in the village square. Big tents, every living soul in town was there sitting at these big long tables, liter mugs for the menfolk, half-liters for the women, some kind of drinking songs that involved bashing your mug on the table to keep time.
It was great.
Training!
Honey Harvest is only two weeks away. Got to be in tip top shape for that!
Trump’s DOJ Blocked Serious ICE Shooting Charge Over Federal Prosecutor’s “Strongest Possible” Objections
“No, no, no. No, I STRENUOUSLY object”
“Oh. Well, if you strenuously object then I should take some time to reconsider”
Hard for me to support the lying ICE officer, but find the left’s spin on this all too predictable.
I believe the Trump DOJ just had this pulled-in and are charging him. Either way, the civil rights charges are insane – the Federal charges for the George Floyd cops were absurd.
Hard for me to support the lying ICE officer, but find the left’s spin on this all too predictable.
Yeah. If that guy had shot somebody at a “white nationalist” rally they’d be nominating him for a Congressional Medal of Freedom.
Well. Official offer came in today though the recruiter. I thanked her, excited to join the team, etc, and asked for $20/hr based on two legit, combined exp reasons. She quickly got back with a polite no, and I happily understood and took the $19.25, signed our Terms of Endowment, and after background stuff gets sorted, I’m starting Mon, Sept 14.
Huh. ‘Let go’ Aug. 3, last paid Aug. 21. Pretty good turnaround, frankly. Still kinda terrified of their quotas, but I’m assured it’s not as bad as it seems. For a 2-4 weeks, depending on me, I’ve got a Buddy to show me what’s up. We’re fetching and filing “Files,” and here’s quota per hour:
1mo ~110/hr
2mo ~175/hr
3mo ~225/hr
Apparently, they’re cool with the 1mo learning curve, and the files/min aren’t as crazy as it looks to me now. *squiggly worried face* But it is just fetching orderly files, scanning them and moving ’em along. Seems quite similar to Walgo and other scan-heavy jobs I’ve been doing recently. So that’s good. Apparently, the ‘moving around all day’ is the shit that turns most folk off to it.
But! Big step up. We shall certainly see. Realistically, $18 is what I’ll need to, once sorted with gig, to have enough to get my own place. I really hope the ~$3/hr less than escrow processing is exactly $3/hr less in the job’s ‘stress/difficulty.’ Escrow wasn’t hard! Just confusing and they never properly trained me. *squiggly frump face*
Big Things. *have a happy squiggly face*
That’s great Evan, good luck.
Agreed! Go Evan! May this be the one that sticks!
Good news
Sounds like once you can get yourself up to 4 files per minute you’d be golden. Good luck.
Good deal man.
Hope you like the work and they like the work that you do.
Thanks, y’all. Apparently it’s a bit of muscle -eye memory for me master… Well. I can juggle, IRL..
I’ll be fine, just GOOD nervous!
Neph- what are your thoughts on Boodles Gin? It’s my go-to when I have to buy, but you cannot get it at hardly any bar.
That’s what inspired this
It’s on Last Call [clearance state wide] here in Ohio, so get it while you can at the $15/bottle price. I know I bought out a couple of stores up here.
There’s a chance it may return in a new 700 ml bottle once this one is gone.
I can get it at Kroger for a good price, but as far as ordering at bars, it’s local, Tanqueray, Bombay, or Beefeater. I’d love it if I could get it out more often in G&Ts.
I was first introduced to it by a bartender at a hotel in Philadelphia.
Usurpation of rightful authority
The joint resolution, offered by Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., calls for amending the Constitution to say: “The Supreme Court of the United States shall be composed of nine justices consisting of one chief justice and eight associate justices.”
The office of House Minority Whip Katherine Clark, D-Mass., encouraged lawmakers to vote “no,” saying the amendment would take away a power intended for Congress and do nothing to address the “affordability crisis” under President Donald Trump.
“This proposed constitutional amendment would permanently fix the number of Supreme Court justices at nine, stripping Congress of yet another constitutional authority that is meant to be controlled by the American people’s representatives,” Clark’s office wrote to lawmakers Wednesday ahead of the vote.
Way to toss that “affordability” smoke grenade in there.
Does this mean Congressional Democrats are going to reclaim the responsibilities they have surrendered over the years?
Or maybe it means this Congress should adopt that responsibility now and quickly put four more Justices on SCOTUS. I’m sue Team Blue won’t have a problem, right?
That would be amusing. Let’s see how fast we get to 100!
Gotta read between the lines…they were slaves only to be freed into the slavery system of Capitalism!
Now they don’t even get free room and board.
“What was once a fairly dramatic and fringe idea has now become mainstream because of how fed up the country has become with the [Chief Justice John] Roberts majority,” said Josh Orton, president of the progressive judicial group Demand Justice, which has been pushing for court expansion since 2020.
“People understand this is now an emergency,” he added. “They see the Roberts majority as more corrupt, more friendly to corporate power and to the Trump administration and more antidemocratic.”
“Don’t get me wrong. I have no objection to partisanship on the Supreme Court, as long as my side has the upper hand.”
No it has not, liar.
“People”. AKA hardcore lefties. I have the feeling that taking any of the recent decisions one at a time, and pretending they happened 35 years ago, about 75% of people wouldn’t have a problem with any of them.
I often think about the time when the right was losing SC cases. I never once heard that we should pack the court. Every time, the response was, “We just need to win more elections”. That’s exactly what happened. It took decades of elections (and some luck) to get the court the way it is now.
But the left doesn’t get their way, so they have a temper tantrum.
Orton said it will be an issue going into the 2028 presidential race.
“We intend to continue building the case for major Supreme Court reform through the 2028 election cycle,” Orton said, dismissing “passive” Democrats who oppose the idea for fear that Republicans would respond in kind and add more seats.
“You can be damn sure that if there had been a long-standing progressive majority on the court, Republicans would have already voted to expand it,” he said. “This has to happen in the first two years of the next Democratic administration.”
RBG was approved to SCOTUS with over 90 votes, dumbass.
See my comment above. I never even heard of the concept until a Dem suggested it. The R’s had plenty of chances and every time they just accepted unfavorable decisions as bad luck and kept playing by the rules.
The first time I heard of the concept it was a different ratfucker Democrat wanting to ram through an earlier “New Deal”.
Those assholes are always and forever the same.
There was a long-standing progressive majority on the Court, dumbass, during the post-WWII era through the ‘70s.
drinking music, down at the Spanish Moon.
Wife just pointed out there is a pickle fest this weekend. If she gets free of her post-surgery care duties, we are going.
Pickle fest? Why would you need to leave the house?