Stories from behind the bar
Few cocktails are as iconic—or as enigmatic—as the Martini. With its sleek appearance, elegant simplicity, and aura of sophistication, the Martini has become a symbol of refined drinking. But while it’s firmly embedded in modern cocktail culture, its origins are shrouded in mystery, with several competing stories tracing its lineage back to the 19th century.
In this deep dive, we’ll explore the Martini’s first appearance, its evolution over time, and the key figures who helped it become the cocktail we know today.
Despite its fame, the exact origin of the Martini is still debated. There are three main theories about where this legendary drink first emerged.
Era: Circa 1860s–1870s
Place: Martinez, California—or San Francisco
The most widely accepted theory is that the Martini evolved from the Martinez cocktail, which predates the term “Martini” and was first referenced in the 1860s. There are two main versions of this story:
Martinez, California Claim: According to local lore, a miner who struck gold in California went into a bar in Martinez and asked for something special. The bartender allegedly created the “Martinez” using Old Tom gin, sweet vermouth, maraschino liqueur, and bitters.
Jerry Thomas Theory: Others claim that the drink was invented by Jerry Thomas, the “father of American mixology,” at the Occidental Hotel in San Francisco around the same time. He supposedly made the drink for a traveler heading to Martinez, hence the name.
📖 Reference:
Thomas, Jerry. How to Mix Drinks, or the Bon Vivant’s Companion (1862).
Although the Martinez was sweeter and less dry than today’s Martini, the blueprint—gin + vermouth + bitters—was already forming.
Era: Circa 1910s
Place: New York City
Another popular tale links the birth of the modern Martini to New York’s Knickerbocker Hotel. The hotel’s head bartender, Martini di Arma di Taggia, is said to have crafted a drink for billionaire John D. Rockefeller, using London Dry Gin and dry vermouth.
This version is closer to the dry Martini that gained widespread fame in the 20th century.
📖 Reference:
Wondrich, David. Imbibe! (2007)
Era: Late 1800s
Place: Italy → United States
Some believe the Martini was named after the Italian vermouth brand Martini & Rossi, which had gained popularity in the U.S. during the 1860s and 1870s.
While this theory doesn’t account for the full cocktail’s invention, it may explain how the name “Martini” came to be associated with a gin-vermouth combo.
📖 Reference:
Booth, Stanley. Rising Spirits: The Story of Martini & Rossi
Tracking the Martini through cocktail literature gives us valuable clues about its development.
Contains a recipe for a “Martini Cocktail” made with:
This is still a sweet version, more like a Martinez.
Source: book
By the early 20th century, the Martini had moved away from Old Tom gin and maraschino toward dry gin and dry vermouth, with orange bitters as a common inclusion.
Prohibition led to the rise of gin-based cocktails due to the ease of making bathtub gin. The Martini, simple and potent, became immensely popular—though often lower in quality.
The Martini became a symbol of glamour and was immortalized by characters like James Bond (“shaken, not stirred”) and writers like Ernest Hemingway and Dorothy Parker.
Gin to vermouth ratios grew increasingly dry:
In recent decades, there’s been a revival of the classic Martini, with a return to balanced ratios and artisanal ingredients. Bartenders now respect the importance of vermouth quality, proper stirring, and glass temperature.
Ingredients:
60ml London Dry Gin
2 dashes of Dry Vermouth
Instructions:
Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice.
Stir (not shake!) until well chilled.
Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Garnish with a lemon twist or an olive.
The Martini is more than a cocktail—it’s a cultural icon. Whether you like it classic, dirty, dry, or with a twist, sipping a Martini is like participating in a piece of history. Its roots may be murky, but its place in the world of cocktails is crystal clear.
Thomas, Jerry. How to Mix Drinks (1862).
Johnson, Harry. Bartender’s Manual (1888).
Kappeler, George. Modern American Drinks (1896).
Wondrich, David. Imbibe! (2007).
DeGroff, Dale. The Craft of the Cocktail (2002).
Booth, Stanley. Rising Spirits: The Story of Martini & Rossi.
Difford’s Guide to Cocktails: https://www.diffordsguide.com/
