Martinez - Birthplace of the Martini

During the days of the "Gold Rush", in 1849, a miner struck it rich and was returning to San Francisco. The miner, arriving in Martinez, the first large town he hit, wanted to celebrate. He walked into our leading bar and asked for Champagne, a beverage which was not available. However, the bartender told the miner he had something much better than Champagne and served a drink which the bartender said was a "Martinez Special". The miner liked the drink and ordered it for the house. After he woke up, he proceeded on to San Francisco where he immediately went to a prominent bar and ordered a "Martinez Special". The bartender of course had never heard of the drink and asked the miner how it was made and where he had heard of the drink. The miner said that the drink was made with one part of very dry Sauterne wine and three parts of Gin, stir with ice, and finish with an olive. The bartender tried the drink himself and liked it and of course had his friends drink it. Over time, the name Martinez (try to say it repeatedly) became Martini.

The City is proud to be the birthplace and home of the world renowned "Martini".

Recipe

• Dash of bitters
• 2 dashes maraschino liqueur
• 1 pony Old Tom gin
• 1 wine glass vermouth
• 1/4 slice lemon

Mix all ingredients, except lemon, in a shaker with cracked ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Note: Original recipe advised adding two dashes of "gum (sugar) syrup, if the guest prefers it very sweet."