Post #630161 by TorchGuy on Mon, Mar 26, 2012 6:44 PM

To note: The original Bond cocktail, in "Casino Royale," the first Bond novel, does include vodka though it isn't a vodka martini per se, and is shaken. Specifically, it consists of three parts gin, one part vodka, 1/2 part Lillet (the now-defunct Kina Lillet), with a lemon twist.

Traditionally, it's true that the proper martini uses gin. Gin martinis are usually stirred; not only does this leave a crystal-clear drink in this case, but nearly all drinks using entirely transparent ingredients are stirred with ice so as to keep them very clear. Shaking a drink is a good way to get it much colder, much faster (and is often done with anything involving juices or semi-opaque ingredients). However, it'll put bubbles and ice chips in the drink - see below.

The vodka martini came in during the early Bond era and, yes, Smirnoff paid to be put into the films. At that time, we hadn't gotten to the "as little vermouth as possible" school of martini making, and vermouth probably went in those, though vermouth and vodka may not complement each other as well as gin and vermouth. Incidentally, the "as little vermouth as possible" idea may have come from an aversion to vermouth by drinkers (and bartenders) who don't know that vermouth goes stale!

These days, a "vodka martini" isn't a martini - a martini must include vermouth. "Vodka martini" is a classy way (remember, martinis are soooo hip and chic!!*) of ordering vodka neat, and shaking it with ice is the way to go as it makes the drink freezing cold and puts a nice frost on top from the tiny chips of ice. Whereas gin martinis should always be stirred, not because "you'll bruise the gin" but because part of the elegance of the true (gin) martini is the fact that it looks like crystal-clear glacier water! I see no problem with Bond's formula of 3-to-1 gin with vodka if you, like Bond, liked a big, stiff drink!

If you want a really classic vodka drink, though, grab that Moscow Mule. Better yet, hit some thrift stores and find some copper mugs with handles; that's what Moscow Mules (originally developed at the Cock'n'Bull Tavern to both bring in Smirnoff and boost sales of their homemade ginger beer) are properly served in.

*P.S. A huge pet peeve of mine, but off-topic. Bars, those many cocktails you call something-tinis are NOT martinis, even if you put 'em in a martini glass. An appletini is a fine, simple, light, fruity drink, but a martini it isn't!