Vodka Martini - Simple

My ideal drink is vodka martini, very dry, shaken with a twist. This, the most classic of cocktails, is also the most controversial. Vodka or gin, shaken or stirred? Historians can’t even agree on its origin. My bet is on the Bay Area town of Martinez. In the last few years the — ‘tini craze has exploded the martini into thousands of differently flavored sweet drinks severed “up” in a cocktail glass. So what is my martini? One word - simple.

Like James Bond, I prefer vodka: Stoli, Kettle One or another premium brand. And I fall on the shaken side of the bar. I have no fear that the spirit will be bruised by a vigorous shaking. Rather, a proper shaking will leave small shards of ice in the cocktail while cooling everything to a chilling temperature. The lemon twist ads just a hint of citrus, but doesn’t over power. Priceless!