The Oxford English Dictionary gives the earliest use of the word Martini as 1894 and states that the word comes from Martini and Rossi Vermouth. They're pretty good at research, but we're pretty good at speculation, which we've compiled to share here:

One legend claims that Professor Jerry Thomas invented a drink called the "Martinez". As the story goes, a gold miner stepped into Thomas' San Francisco bar on his way to the town of Martinez and asked him to shake up something special. The recipe called for one dash of Bitters, two dashes of Maraschino, one wine glass of Vermouth, two lamps of ice, one pony of Old Tom Gin and served with quarter slice of lemon. No matter how brutal this concoction sounds, was it the first "Martini"? Well, the recipe that he supposedly made didn't show up until years later in 1887 in a reprint of Thomas' own Bartending Book.

Another story says that in 1870 a gold miner stopped at Julio Richelieu's saloon in Martinez, California. The miner put a small pouch of gold and an empty bottle on the bar to be filled with Whisky. But the traveler wasn't satisfied with the trade, so Richelieu mixed up a small drink and plopped an olive in it, and named it after his town. To this date Martinez, California still makes claim to be the birth place of the Martini.

Others claim that the first martini was called a "Martinez" and was composed of 4 parts Italian sweet red vermouth to 1 part gin. This Martini was created sometime between the years 1862 and 1876. It was made with an aromatic bitters called Boker's bitters that barely made it out of the 19th century. This version used Old Tom Gin, because there was no such thing as London Dry when the cocktail was introduced. Old Tom was very Junipery, a little golden, and rather sweet. Take some Bols Genever Gin, mix with twice the volume Tanqueray, and say, sweeten with a couple teaspoonsful of sugar, and you have a rough approximation.

Others claim that the drink's name came from the Martini and Henry rifle used by the British army between 1871 and 1891, because both the rifle and the drink shared a strong kick.

In 1896 Thomas Stewart published a manual in New York titled Stewart's Fancy Drinks and How To Mix Them and gave a recipe for what he called the "Marquerite": one dash orange Bitters, 2/3 Plymouth Gin, 1/3 French Vermouth. Which seems closer to the drink we're familiar with.

To make matters even more complicated, Martini sleuth Lowell Edmunds (author of "The Silver Bullet", 1981) established that O.H. Byron included a Martinez recipe in his book The Modern Bartender's Guide of 1884 - three years before Professor Jerry Thomas' book. And for the record, the first mention of the word Martini was in the New and Improved Illustrated Bartender's Manual or How to Mix Drinks of the Present Style published by Harry Johnson in 1888.

Another way for the Martini
By kaptin2001@yahoo.com

Your receipe is good but I like it this way, 2.5 oz. good gin, preferably Bombay Saphire, .25 oz. good dry vermouth, I like Martini & Rossi, and a very small amount of olive juice, a few drops to a very small pour, depending on your taste. Mix it the same way you did and serve it in a cold martini glass with an olive, its important to keep all the ingrediants as cold as possible for as long as possible because when it gets warm it loses a lot.

Martinis are classic, but not very good.
By Glenn

I can't figure out why Martinis are a classic drink. Does anyone out there like them? Why?

Nice, but could be better
By Clarissa

Martinis are best served ICE cold - anyone who tries one that is not chilled properly will find it distasteful. Tangueray (especially Tangueray 10) works best - 3 jiggers to a capful of Rossi vermouth...glass should be chilled to perfection...tons of ice in the shaker when you mix....this is the ONLY way to enjoy a martini

Far too overrated
By Mr. Whiskey

If Martinis are classic why do they taste so bad.Why waste your effort on pouring one when there are so many more quality drinks out there.If your going to have a Martini play it smart and at least have a Vodka Martini. Your tastebuds will thank you

Martini's

Martini's...LOVE 'EM! If the drink is to strong for you, try the Cosmopolitan version.

The Classic Martini

Hmmm, yep I agree - Martinis are definitely over-rated. So why do we drink them? For those long stemmed glasses of course; or if you're in a hurry but want something concentrated!

I prefer them dry
By tri

Chill the martini glass by filling it with ice and water let it sit for at least 30 seconds. Fill a mixing glass with ice and add Bombay Sapphire mix well to get the gin cold. Empty the martini glass of ice and water then coat the inside of the glass with a good dry vermouth pouring out any extra vermouth. Strain the gin into the martini glass and garnish with an olive or three.

Use the good stuff
By Jose'

Bad booze makes for a bad drink, especially martinis. Spring for the good stuff and your experience will be better. Forget 1 or more ounces of vermouth, just store the vermouth bottle close to the gin or vodka. Shake 2 ounces of good gin or vodca with ice and add an olive for the perfect martini.

kokkus

Buono per una piomba istantanea!!!

Use good gin, and don't forget the olives
By LouRovner@aol.com

Since a martini is almost all gin, don't use anything but the best. My favorite is Bombay Sapphire, a gin of great flavor and complexity. Three olives will provide additional health benefits.

Better Martinus

A good Gin, Bombay, allowed to freeze 24 - 36 hours is starting point. Poured over ice cubes, three olives, a capful of decent dry vermouth.

rhwright

Make my measurements 12:1

don't bother buying vermouth..try this
By gin lover

Skip the vermouth....try the "tipsy" olives, they are soaked in vermouth. I love 'em in my gin!

Stirred... not Shaken

2 1/2 oz Beefeater, 1/4 oz of the best vermouth you can get your hands on. Have it stirred, while the classic Bond line is cool, a vodka martinis and shaken ones of any kind are both too weak.

More Gin and Less Vermouth
By Ransom

I like my martinis to have 1 3/4 oz. to 2 oz. Gin (Bombay is best) and just a breath of dry vermouth (1/4 oz. or less. The olive(s) are esental for flavor.

Dryer the Better
By Hawkeye Pierce

I am all about this classic drink, its a manly drink thats got some taste. I say the dryer the better. I suggest dirty gym socks for strainers, jk. But seriously, try a dry one and if u like a regular martini u'll lovem dry.

Try it a little less dry

While I must say there is nothing wrong with a 20 to 1 gin to vermouth ratio, I think that 3 to 1 or 4 to 1 creates a very nice drink. I usually will go 4 oz of gin and 1 oz of dry vermouth. If you're going to leave out 99% of the vermouth then call it what it is: gin and not a martini.

How To Enjoy A Martini
By Huey Borkum

Clarissa explained it all several posts above... I would only add that for an extra dry martini, you can skip pouring any into the drink and simply whisper the word "vermouth" over your glass. Or just point towards France and declare, "There's your vermouth!"

Stir it baby
By Bagel9

Forget all of you who think martinis taste bad. Just rembember, if you use vodka, it's not a real martini. Chill the glass, 1-½ oz of good gin, 1 tsp. of vermouth, stir in a glass over ice, pour into chilled martini glass, and add an olive. PERFECTION!

bah
By upyours@fuckoff.blowme

just drink the gin strait you pussies

ARTBEAU

Sapphire Gin Martini... I like to pour the gin and vermouth into my shaker a good hour before drinktime. I put the glass into the freezer next to the shaker so that everyone gets well acquainted... Ahhh, who says the cocktail generation is dead.

Martini(s)
By Johnny the King

I prefer the classic mix of 3 to 1 Gin to Vermouth. Chill it right, drink it right way, do not let it get warm (you are drinking it too slow!)and enjoy a little taste of heaven. The best gin you can get will work, but I agree with the others that it HAS to be cold, and it has to have Vermouth, otherwise it's just cold gin. And those that do not like the taste...it takes a while to learn to enjoy the subtle flavors of gin, but once you have there is no going back.

Just Awful!!

This is my first and last Martini drink. I defintely agree wiht other who commented. Why does anyone like these drinks? Why are they so popular? Hideous taste! I think I would rather drink my own urine!

Martini
By Martini Drinker In Columbus Ohio

For those of you that do not care for a Martini, try an "Apple Martini". I've drank gin for years (42-years) and recently got hooked on Apple Martini.

Perfection
By Martini Time

1. It has to be quality gin. 2. It has to be ice cold. 3. You must drink more than one at a time. Perfection

Gin or Vodka?

Traditional Martini's are Gin and dry vermouth. The palate has to be educated before certain tastes are appreciated. Folks that dislike the flavor of Gin are welcome to move on to something more approachable. When James Bond was first introduced, Stoli had stock in the film, so naturally he drank Vodka Martini's. However, Bond's recipe of choice included mixing Vodka and Gin with Vermouth and adding a peel of lemon!

Have another
By John Kerry

Having Dubya in office another four years is enough to make anyone want to drink.

It's all about the feeling
By Gerry

I like martini's because of the strength and coldness of the drink. It's the perfect drink to have before dinner. Don't drink too many of these in one sitting or you'll regret it later. Don't drive if you have more than two.

Citadel gin !
By scum1

if you have not tried Citadel gin then you must. It's along the line of saphire in taste. It's new from France and I really enjoy it in a 3 to 1 mix

Vodka alternative
By Allison

Someone mentioned above that a vodka martini is a good alternative for those who have a distaste for the gin. I can't stand gin but I LOVE a good vodka martini with just enough olive.

Out of these wet clothes and into a dry martini...
By Marlon

Classic. The only way. Gin. I prefer Beefeaters as it is smooth but still has a peppery complexion. Pre-dinner is the best time for a good martini. I mix two in one shaker each evening. One for me, one for my honey. I've learned the drill and I certainly don't measure. Shaker full of ice, a long drawl on the gin...a few drops of vermouth ( it does make a difference, by the way, even in small amounts ). Shaken is my preference. 3 olives for me, 2 for my honey. ( Try the calamata olive sometime! ) Dim the lights, Jobim on the stereo. Sip, sip and then, one more before dinner. perfect.

It's simple and no fuss !
By Yuenkum So

Indeed I would like to have a good glass of dry Martini right before dinner or whenever I like it. And I do prefer to put a slice of lemon along with 2 olives in it. My boy friend started to drink Martini since he had met me, and what a coincidence his name is Martin without an i hah hah !!

The Dirtiest Martini
By =n=e=v=i=n=s=@===========

2 1/2 oz of gin 2 or 3 tbl spoons of dry Vermouth 2 tbl spoons of olive juice 1 or 2 green olive(s) inserted with pickled garlic clove instead of pimento aahhh heaven...

The Dirtiest Martini
By =n=e=v=i=n=s=@===========

2 1/2 oz of gin, 2 or 3 tbl spoons of dry Vermouth, 2 tbl spoons of olive juice, 1 or 2 green olive(s) inserted with pickled garlic clove instead of pimento, aahhh heaven...

Martini with a twister

Perfect Martini: Frozen Bombay Gin, 2 drops vermouth, lemon peel & 3 Olives dropped from 1 foot above glass. Gently suck on a beautiful young woman's tongue, then sip the Martini. Do this in succession, about three drinks will do. Write things down as the night goes on as you will have memory lapses the next day.

Hooray for martinis
By Dan

The classic martini has been around for quite a long time. It is a drink for those who enjoy a good gin. For those of you who don't like the martini, don't give it a low rating just because gin is not your bag.

grey goose is best

Grey Goose vodka dirty dash of vermouth and very chilled Love it!!!! life at Best

Squidman
By Squidman

Depending on my mood, I like my martinis either dry or wet, more often than not 4:1 ratio of Sapphire to good dry vermouth, shaken very hard so there are slivers of ice in the glass - this is essential to the great martini - both ice cold and fine slivers of ice that maintain temp and cut the gin as they thaw. Perfect.

Word.

Classy and delectable at the same time. Easily one of my favorite concoctions of all time. I heart gin.

Not for everyone
By Wise Old Drunk from NJ

Several points: 1) The world seems to have taken to drinking a lot of Martini-derivatives that bear little resemblance to a real Martini. This problem has been exacerbated by all of the chain-restaurants that love to "brand" drinks with their own particular (and often rather peculiar) recipe. I embrace diversity, and everyone's right to drink what he or she pleases, but PLEASE don't persist in calling your latest umbrella-drink-made-with-vodka a Martini! 2) I believe it was Clarissa who stated that Martinis need to be served ice-cold to taste best. Many self-proclaimed vodka afficionados make the same assertion about drinking vodka. Fact is, your taste buds don't work very well at very low or very high temperatures - so if your drink of choice needs to be served ice-cold to taste its best, guess what? You probably don't like your favorite drink as much as you say you do - best try some other concoctions. 3) Personally, I find that a Martini is the ultimate celebration of the essence of gin (the juniper berry.) It is not a flavor for all times or all occasions, but it can be sublime nonetheless. I enjoy mine very dry, with only a hint of (dry) vermouth, and prefer Baffert's over other brands. Cheers!

By 00-Blaze

I can't belive some of the folks on this sight. How can you be a man and not like a martini? I bet its because you dont understand the difference between a girlie drink - and a mixed drink. A Martini is a mixed drink. A pink squirrel is a girlie drink. Most likely all you drink is those watered down or slushy girl drinks like a bay breeze. Unless its a beer,I say if you sip more than a mouthfull of your drink, you should make that "shot of liquor" face. Get your testicles out of the closet, wear them for a couple of weeks, then try again!

Stop IT!

I’ll say a few things here: IF it is not GIN and vermouth, it is not a Martini – do not call it one Faggotry is fine and indeed dandy, you don’t piss in beer and call it peer, do you? I am very sick of having to specify Gin when I ask for a Martini is I didn’t want gin I wouldn’t ask for a Martini. IF you leave out the vermouth, please don’t call it a Martini you don’t call Bourbon a Manhattan do you? Good Gin with good botanicals such as Sapphire creates an excellent drink. They are not supposed to be a drink for the disco crowd, if you need to get drunk quick drink a Gimlet and don’t sully the best drink there is. With all that, if you don’t like it don’t drink it, don’t doctor it to some bastard drink. And in closing one important thing has been missed… USE CLEAN ICE

Alison's Alternative

Some posts above, Alison stands up for the Vodka alternative. I'll go for the Vodka as well, as long as it's splashed all over Alison's tits.

Want to add your voice? Click here to let us know better ways to enjoy this drink - or whether or not you enjoy it at all.

"When things get too unpleasant, I burn the day's newspaper, pull down the curtains, get out the jugs, and put in a cvilized evening."

- H.L. Mencken