Martini (cocktail)

The Martini is a cocktail made with gin and vermouth, and garnished with an olive or a lemon twist. Over the years, the Martini has become one of the best-known mixed alcoholic beverages. H. L. Mencken called the Martini "the only American invention as perfect as the sonnet" and E. B. White called it "the elixir of quietude".

Preparation

By 1922 the Martini reached its most recognizable form in which London dry gin and dry vermouth are combined at a ratio of 2:1, stirred in a mixing glass with ice cubes, with the optional addition of orange or aromatic bitters, then strained into a chilled cocktail glass. Over time the generally expected garnish became the drinker's choice of a green olive or a twist of lemon peel.

A dry Martini is made with dry, white vermouth. By the Roaring Twenties, it became common to ask for them. Over the course of the century, the amount of vermouth steadily dropped. During the 1930s the ratio was 3:1, and during the 1940s the ratio was 4:1. During the latter part of the 20th century, 6:1, 8:1, 12:1, or even 50:1 or 100:1 Martinis became considered the norm.

Dry Martini (1928 film)

Dry Martini is a 1928 film comedy produced and distributed by Fox Film Corporation starring Mary Astor and Matt Moore. The Movietone sound system was used for music and sound effects but otherwise it is a silent film. A silent version was also made. Samuel L. Rothafel also contributed music for the film. It was adapted from the novel Dry Martini: a Gentleman Turns to Love by John Thomas. Ray Flynn was an assistant director.

This film is lost.

Plot

Wealthy divorced American Willoughby Quimby has been living in Paris, France for ten years when he learns his adult daughter Elizabeth is coming to visit. He has been living the high life full of wine and women but decides to forego both during her stay. Elizabeth gets bored with him so she begins seeing rakish artist Paul De Launay. Quimby's young pal Freddie Fletcher saves Elizabeth from the clutches of de Launay in the nick of time. After Elizabeth's marriage to Freddie her father returns to his wanton ways.

Cast