True American Pride - Real Things to Celebrate About This Nation (#19)

"Shaken, Not Stirred..."

"Martinis are the only American invention as perfect as a sonnet.”

(H. L. Mencken

“A man must defend his home, his wife, his children, and his martini.” (Jackie Gleason)

”I had never tasted anything so cool and clean.” “They made me feel civilized.” (Ernest Hemingway)

"A martini, shaken not stirred." (James Bond, “Goldfinger”)

Day 19 of True American Pride month. Saw that today is "National Martini Day" so I'll go with that.

This classic cocktail is an American invention (Bravo!). Mixologists say it was 1st created in California during the mid 19th century Gold Rush by a clever bartender. Whether it was Julio Richielieu at a saloon in Martinez CA, or Jerry Thomas at the Occidental Hotel in San Francisco, makes no difference to me. Shaken, stirred, "dirty", with olives or a twist, Americans (like Don Draper and Roger Sterling of "Mad Men") have been enjoying the crisp, clean taste of this drink for over 150 years now.

The martini is also called America's most political drink and is the only "proper" drink one orders at any of the snootiest haunts in Washington D.C. It was Franklin D. Roosevelt's favorite drink and he hosted a daily "Martini Hour" every day.

So cheers to the martini! And one final quote:

"I never go jogging, it makes me spill my martini." (George Burns)

And to end, here’s how to craft the classic James Bond martini. Cheers!

How To Make the James Bond Martini