| If you like martinis then read on and learn about both | | | | Lemon Drop Martini. This drink is a sweet, lemony |
| the history of the martini and about a tasty, cool | | | | drink that became popular during the 1970's in |
| cocktail called the Lemon Drop Martini. | | | | California. Remember the lemon drop candies you |
| History of the Martini | | | | used to get at the movies when you were a kid? |
| The martini is a cocktail made with gin or vodka and | | | | This drink has become a favorite on the West Coast. |
| dry white vermouth, and is considered by many to | | | | One account suggests that this drink originated in a |
| be among the top six variations of a cocktail type | | | | bar called Henry's Africa in San Francisco. This was a |
| drink. | | | | well-known singles bar and was said to develop and |
| It is believed that the martini originated in Martinez, | | | | push "girl-drinks". These are drinks that are made |
| which is the town where I grew up. Martinez is | | | | very sweet to cover the taste of alcohol. |
| located on the south side of the Carquinez Strait in | | | | Lemon Drop Martini Recipe |
| the San Francisco Bay Area, facing the city of | | | | The Lemon Drop Martini has become a favorite of |
| Benicia. It's the birthplace of New York Yankee | | | | my guests. Here is the recipe: |
| baseball star Joe DiMaggio, and was the childhood | | | | 1 1/2 ounces vodka |
| home of Norv Turner, head coach of the Washington | | | | 1/2 ounce Triple Sec |
| Redskins football team. | | | | 1 teaspoon superfine sugar |
| If you go to the corner of the intersection of | | | | 3/4 ounce freshly squeezed or bottled lemon juice |
| Alhambra Avenue and Masonic Street, you will find a | | | | Ice cubes |
| plaque commemorating the birth of the martini. The | | | | Lemon Wedge or Twist |
| first known reference to the martini being invented in | | | | To prepare glass, put it into the freezer until it is |
| Martinez can be found in The Bon Vivant's | | | | frosty cold. Then rub the rim of the glass with lemon |
| Companion: Or How to Mix Drinks (1887 edition), by | | | | and dip the glass in super fine sugar to create an |
| "Professor" Jerry Thomas, a head bartender who | | | | edge of sugar on the glass. |
| worked in many well know places, including the | | | | Mix the vodka, Triple Sec, sugar, and lemon juice in a |
| Occidental Hotel in San Francisco, California. According | | | | shaker half-filled with ice; shake well until well blended. |
| to George A. Zabriske, who republished the original | | | | Pour strained liquid into sugar-rimmed martini glass and |
| book in 1928, Jerry Thomas had a client who took a | | | | garnish with lemon. |
| ferry from the Occidental Hotel to Martinez, each | | | | Then enjoy! Remember to be careful drinking these. |
| morning. Thomas mixed him a "Martinez" to keep the | | | | They really are sweet, but potent! And remember, |
| morning chill off, and named the drink after his client's | | | | the next time you are in the San Francisco Bay Area, |
| destination. | | | | stop by a little town called Martinez and see where |
| The Lemon Drop Martini | | | | the martini was born. |
| One of my favorite versions of the martini is the | | | | |