Celebrating National Martini Day

Today is National Martini Day, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to mark the occasion. Break out the gin and vermouth (or vodka, if you’re feeling crazy) and put on a “James Bond” marathon … it’s about to get real classy up in here.

Foodimentary supplied the following fun facts, and I think it best to read them while sipping from a chilled glass with blue cheese–stuffed olives:

• The Martini, gin and vermouth, is probably the most popular and widely consumed cocktail. Its origin is in dispute, but it dates back to about 1862.
• The Martini’s popularity has waxed and waned, and its recipe has changed considerably over the years.
• Going from an original mixture that contained more vermouth than gin, garnished with a lemon twist; to 2 to 1 gin and vermouth; to a 15 to 1 mixture; and finally straight chilled gin.
• There is also the Vodka Martini.
• The standard Martini garnish is an olive, but garnish it with a pearl onion and it is called a Gibson.

I’m no mathematician, but any cocktail with a 15:1 ratio is right up my alley. Here’s a super simple (and delicious) recipe to celebrate in style:

WATERMELON MARTINI

INGREDIENTS

• 4 large watermelon chunks
• 12.5ml lemon juice
• 25ml gomme syrup
• 37.5ml vodka

DIRECTIONS

1. Muddle the melon and syrup to extract all the juice; add the rest of the ingredients and shake it really well in your cocktail shaker.
2. Double strain the mixture into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a watermelon sail.

Check out more selected recipes for the happiest of hours. Sip safely, my friends.