Gin vs Vodka (Martini)

[Jack Scorpion]

H. L. Mencken once called the martini "the only American invention as perfect as the sonnet."

I figure Fedora Loungers would choose Gin before Vodka 9 times out of 10. I would agree, assuming it's dry (and shaken to waltz time, of course).

That said, I love a dirty martini made with Belvedere, and there's no ignoring James Bond's affinity for vodka martinis.

What's your favorite alcohol of choice for your martini? Is it always gin, or always vodka? Or will you take either if the booze passes the grade?

 

[Dr Doran]

Always gin. Stirred. Three large olives. A GOOD amount of vermouth, none of that "just hold the martini glass NEAR the vermouth bottle" attitude for me.

 

[jamespowers]

Always gin. Stirred. Three large olives. A GOOD amount of vermouth, none of that "just hold the martini glass NEAR the vermouth bottle" attitude for me.

What?! Keep that bottle away from my Martini.
I like mine dry very little vermouth. I actually have a special spray bottle for it. I can have it shaken or stirred. I prefer stirred but if I want it kind of frothy fizzy....
I enjoy one with a large Tassos chili stuffed olive. Unfortunately they do not make them any more and my jar is getting might low on olives. :eusa_doh:
Oh and serve it in a martini glass please.

 

[Fletch]

Vodka for me, freezer-chilled, splash of vermouth, lemon twist, just barely stirred.
I appreciate a classic martini occasionally, but find the vodka article to have a cleaner, drier taste.

Traditionally the vodkatini was not drunk before 007 ordered one in Casino Royale in the early '60s, but the 1953 novel included a reference to the drink, as does a Smirnoff campaign from - get this! - 1935.

The recipe then: 3:1 with French vermouth (Italian wasn't the fashion yet), twist of lemon - and a dash of orange bitters, suggesting a want of flavor for the gin-accustomed palate.

Smirnoff, newly rolled out in the states, was a huge flop at the time. So this could be called a '30s cocktail in fact, but not in spirit.

 

[Dr Doran]

What?! Keep that bottle away from my Martini.
I like mine dry very little vermouth. I actually have a special spray bottle for it. I can have it shaken or stirred. I prefer stirred but if I want it kind of frothy fizzy....
I enjoy one with a large Tassos chili stuffed olive. Unfortunately they do not make them any more and my jar is getting might low on olives. :eusa_doh:
Oh and serve it in a martini glass please.

It is not a martini if it is not in a martini glass. A martini glass is a sine qua non for a martini.

 

[Dr Doran]

Oh yes -- glass should be frozen, but I can tolerate it if it is not.

 

[jamespowers]

Oh yes -- glass should be frozen, but I can tolerate it if it is not.

Now we are getting picky. lol

 

[Tomasso]

I like them both, though I definitely choose gin more often.

 

[Geesie]

I like martinis, so I have gin in mine.
My wife likes vodka martinis.
One cannot make a martini with vodka. One can make a vodka martini.

Also, vermouth goes in. Otherwise it's cold gin in a fancy glass.

 

[jamespowers]

I like martinis, so I have gin in mine.
My wife likes vodka martinis.
One cannot make a martini with vodka. One can make a vodka martini.

Also, vermouth goes in. Otherwise it's cold gin in a fancy glass.

Ahhhh cold gin in a fancy glas. lol lol lol
I add vermouth---exactly three sprays.

 

[Tomasso]

Also, I don't seem to drink a gin martoni* as quickly as I do a vodka.





*Cut him off!

 

[jamespowers]

Also, I don't seem to drink a gin martoni* as quickly as I do a vodka.





*Cut him off!

Well, vodka is supposed to be compleatly tasteless so......

 

[D-503]

I get weird looks (and occasionally snooty service) when I go into a bar and order the following:

3 parts Gin (never rail, rarely Gordon's, usually Beefeater, occasionally Tanqueray, and at home Plymouth or Old Tom)

1 part French vermouth (preferably Noilly Prat)

Stirred

Dash of orange bitters in a chilled cocktail glass

Lemon twist

 

[Absinthe_1900]

The last one is a proper Martini, anything else is a cold glass of Gin.

Vodka?:eusa_doh: .......never.

 

[jamespowers]

I get weird looks (and occasionally snooty service) when I go into a bar and order the following:

3 parts Gin (never rail, rarely Gordon's, usually Beefeater, occasionally Tanqueray, and at home Plymouth or Old Tom)

1 part French vermouth (preferably Noilly Prat)

Stirred

Dash of orange bitters in a chilled cocktail glass

Lemon twist

They probably don't know what orange bitters is.

 

[Fletch]

Well, vodka is supposed to be compleatly tasteless so......

Not really. It's just slightly tacky. lol

D-503, where did you pick up the Noilly Prat and orange bitters concept?

 

[Absinthe_1900]

It's in many vintage cocktail books.

Very popular in the 1930s, until the Martini was ruined in the 1950s.

 

[Fletch]

Maybe it was just simplified into a mantini. The 50s considered the 30s a little bit fey, that is, when they considered them at all.

 

[Absinthe_1900]

Nah,.......a well made cocktail has some flavor, anyone can toss down a shot of cold hooch.

The bloodless 1950s "Madison Ave." type martini is simply boring.

 

[Scottfire]

Dirty Grey Goose for me and my Mrs., I like them PG she likes them X