What makes it a martini is that "martini" is the new word for "mixed drink." An honor "cocktail" long held. Although, at least "cocktail" had previously describe a class of drink, whereas martini simply referred to one drink. Language is fun, ain't it?

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Arghh!!! This cocktail, while it sounds quite appealing, is *not* in any way, shape or form a Martini. The current, pretentious trend of calling such drinks 'Martinis' is offensive to us Martini purists. A classic Martini is made with dry gin and dry vermouth . . . and nothing else, save a green olive or two.

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Actually, huffy, the drink you describe is not a "classic" martini, but a "dry" martini. A purist should know that! Most bartenders will make you a dry martini if you ask for a classic but only because the nomenclature has changed over time- like the substitution of the word "martini" for "cocktail," a practice that you evidently don't care for.

The "classic" martini is made with 1 part sweet vermouth, 3 parts gin, a dash of orange bitters, and garnished with a maraschino cherry. This beverage was very popular alongside the Manhattan in the late 1800s.

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Huffy's point is, and I agree, that if it ain't made with gin and vermouth (perhaps an allowance for vodka in place of gin) it is not a martini - period. There is not such thing as a chocolate martini, coconut martini, pink martini or other such crap. They are cocktails.

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When I lived in Minneapolis, Prince would do things like rent out entire restaurants so he could eat alone. Then he would ride the Metrotransit around and just talk with people. He also has concerts at his house, "Paisley Park". This drink is no homage to the man!

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Colin, I commend your knowledge and dutifully stand corrected. You're right: the true, "classic" Martini is as you've described, and as such, is not my cup of gin (I had one, once). As the drink evolved, it lost the orange bitters and switched out the sweet vermouth for dry, becoming progressively drier by decade; I admit my bias for a very dry cocktail, only grudgingly conceding the substitution of vodka for gin.

The history of this cocktail lounge classic is quite fascinating:

http://tinyurl.com/2h8tkj

And lastly, no . . . I don't care for the practice of calling any mixed drink a Martini. Just call me 'Old Fuss and Feathers'!

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