November 24, 2007

The Martini Mood

When your sipping on a chill martini, just about anything sounds good. An extra-dry 'tini with high proof gin -- believe it, or not --can be complemented just as easily by pulse-pounding, three-chord bashing from The Damned or Social Distortion as it can by the hip, sixties sounds of Jefferson Airplane, The Who or the Doors. And of course more traditionally by the soft, crooning of Mel Torme, Bing Crosby or Frank Sinatra, and certianly the swinging sounds of Henry Mancini, Les Baxter or Count Basie

Frank Sinatra -- Bim Bam Baby


Still, there is a right way to truly enjoy the Martini Mood. A good martini should always be accompanied by music, friends, or a combination of the two. This is part of what makes it a good martini. As you mix the martini it is important to conduct a brief self-examintion and decide on the music or companions that will mix best with your martini and your mood. (Note: Sipping a martini alone and listening to Pink Floyd is not considered a safe -- or sane -- mix.)

B Martin/P Coulter -- Teen Lovers (AKA Big Moody)


A good mix of the Martini Mood can include a swinging film like "The Guide to the Married Man" (Walter Matthau, 1967), an exciting baseball game, or Combustible Edison. Don't waste a good martini on NASCAR, "Rocky V," or Boys II Men.

Combustible Edison -- Checkered Flag


The perfect martini:
  • 4oz. Gin (I prefer London Bombay Dry, or Beefeater -- both have a strong gin/juniper taste and a strong, smokey finish)
  • 1/2 teaspoon of dry vermouth
  • Fill a metal shaker (glass shakers don't stay cold for long) about half way with crushed ice.
  • Add the gin first (preferably it should already be ice cold, straight out of the freezer) and swirl it briefly, then add the vermouth.
  • Stirring is better than shaking -- although shaking does tend to bruise the gin, meaning it brings out a stronger flavor.
  • Strain into an ice cold cocktail glass. I use stainless steel glasses (stored in the freezer so they are always ready to go), again because they will stay cold longer.

    Sip it, don't gulp it.