The martini is one of the most popular cocktails. The traditional recipe features gin; however, many people substitute it with vodka. Whichever version you try, the drink has an interesting history. Learn more about the many different origin stories of this concoction below.

Early Years

It's believed Jerry Thomas, a Manhattan saloon operator, was the first to combine gin and vermouth in 1850. Legend has it that a miner headed to Martinez, California left a gold nugget on the bar and challenged him to create a new cocktail.

This concoction, known as the “Martinez,” was a wine glass filled with vermouth, an ounce of gin, bitters, and a maraschino, making it an early version of what we know as a martini today.

However, the people of Martinez claim the drink was made by Julio Richelieu in 1870. After a miner wasn’t pleased with the whiskey the bartender initially served him, Richelieu made a drink with gin, vermouth, orange, bitters, and olive.

There are many more origin stories. The British say the drink is linked to a rifle called the Martini & Henry, used by the army between 1871 and 1891, because of the kick that both the rifle and the drink provided. 

No matter how it got its name, the sophisticated drink grew in popularity during the 1950s among businessmen and high society members. Its reputation made the martini the drink of choice for suave fictional characters like James Bond, who prefers his “shaken, not stirred.”

Martinis Today

The classic gin martini is still a popular cocktail at bars, restaurants, and private events. Sweet, dry, dirty, or with vodka, the clean, smooth flavor makes it a sophisticated yet simple option.

Featuring sweet choices like apples, lychees, cucumbers, and mocha, some variations are so different from the original that the only shared characteristic is the V-shaped glass and the “tini” at the end of the name. Even still, the fact that so many people put their spin on the drink signifies just how vital the martini is to American culture.

For quality ingredients for your martinis, head over to Evergreen Liquor Store. Located in Kalispell, MT, the wine and spirits location offers premium Montana-made vodka and whiskey and an expanding inventory of wine, rum, liqueurs, and more. The store also offers monthly deals and affordable prices so you have the liquor you need to make your favorite cocktails. Call (406) 755-1408 to speak with a helpful representative or visit them online for a look at their inventory.