From Cosmos to Lemon Drops: 10 Recipes That Prove '90s Martinis Are Back (2024)

FAQs

Who invented the lemon drop martini? ›

The lemon drop beverage was created by a man named Norman Jay Hobday at his bar, Henry Africa's, sometime during the 1970's. Norman originally served the drink in a co*cktail glass.

While many have only experienced it as a co*cktail shooter at a club, it has much more potential. With vodka, fresh lemon juice, orange liqueur, simple syrup and a sugared rim, the Lemon Drop is bright and crisp with a touch of sweet to balance the tart.

The Dirty Martini features gin or vodka, dry vermouth, and olive brine. It's is one of the most popular savory co*cktails ever created, and though it may feel like a modern creation, the drink has been a go-to Martini variation for over a hundred years.

By various accounts, it is confirmed that she enjoyed a dry martini in the evening and a glass of champagne as a nightcap. At dinner, and sometimes at lunch, she sipped a glass of sweet German wine. And before lunch, this one. The Dubonnet and gin co*cktail is little more than the name implies.

For our purposes, when you hear people talking about a drug called lemons or lemon drops — they mean a mix of DXM and (usually) lemonade flavoring. There are some reports of other solutions being mixed with DXM, like lighter fluid or paint thinner, which raises the danger even more.

The term 'dirty' means that olive brine, usually from a jar of co*cktail olives, has been added to the drink. An olive garnish is typically assumed, too. Most bars add equal parts vermouth and brine, though you can specify 'extra dirty' or 'filthy' if you prefer more brine.

Bone-dry: a martini made with extremely little or no vermouth. Kangaroo: another name for a vodka martini.

The contested origins of the martini

Thomas evolved a one part sloe gin, two parts sweet vermouth, maraschino and a dash of bitters with a lemon concoction into a drink he called the Martinez, which he made for passengers departing on the ferry to the town of the same name.

This world famous concoction, the Martini, has prolonged more luncheons, launched more jokes and ruined more dinners than anything since the days of Cleopatra, but the community of Martinez is very proud to be the birthplace and home of the world renowned "Martini".

Principal Barman Professor Jerry Thomas plied his trade there and was the originator of the Martini. The first bi-coastal celebrity bartender, he brought civility to the bar scene as well as creativity to mixology.

Who invented the Gibson drink? ›

It's only a Gibson when that tasty onion garnishes the glass, adding its umami nuance to the classic co*cktail. The origin of this drink is not entirely clear, but it is possible that the Gibson was created by San Francisco businessman Walter D.K. Gibson in the late 19th century at the Bohemian Club.

Around 1901 someone decided to give the Martini a salty kick. It is, “believed” that across the country in New York, a bartender named John O' Connor took the groundbreaking step of muddling olives and adding a splash of olive brine.