The Martini

Sophisticated, evocative, and delicious, the martini will never go out of style. Appearing in countless moviesadash;for example, any one of the Bond filmstdash;itasquo;s one of the most popular and well-known cocktails of all time. Making a martini is simplicity personified, the classic recipe requiring just two ingredients (not counting the garnish): gin and vermouth. And now man-about-town Matt Hranek is here to tell us everything we need to know about the iconic cocktail. Like Hranekwsquo;s The Negroni, The Martini will give readers insight into the drinkasquo;s nineteenth-century-origins, as well as the tools for making 35 simple variations of the drinkvdash;a combination of recipes from the author, recipes from experts/bartenders around the world, and iconic versions that any martini fanatic needs to have on hand. Included are the authornsquo;s own version, always with gin (never vodka), served ice cold and dry with a twist of lemon (or, on very rare occasions, like when he is hungry, an olive); the Martinez (circa 1849), named for the city of Martinez about 25 miles northeast of San Francisco, where some say this all began; a lime martini, a nod to Hranekisquo;s father, who loved a gin and tonic; and New York City legend Russ & Daughters Cafevsquo;s own martinis, hdquo;The Lower East Siderdquo; and hdquo;The Smoked Martini.tdquo; There will be details on ingredients, methods (to shake or to stir?), garnish, equipment, glassware; where to get the best martini around the world, and more. Beautiful original and archival photography make this an irresistible gift for anyone who loves to enjoy a martini.