The Dirty

So many people recently have come to order the Dirty Martini either because it's trendy or because they genuinely enjoy the flavor. But few people make it correctly, and very few - if any - bars make it right, either.

But a little history first. In his book, The Martini, author Barnaby Conrad III tells us that President Franklin D. Roosevelt enjoyed martinis, and this was his recipe, as reported to a nosy radio reporter named Jack Reed, who got it from FDR's secretary:

2 parts Gin

1 part Dry Vermouth

1 tsp Olive Brine

This mixture was shaken well, then poured into a cocktail glass, the rim of which had been rubbed with lemon peel. FDR's martini was garnished with an olive.

To knowledge, this is the first occurrence of what would eventually be called the Dirty Martini (probably because the small amount of olive brine seems to make the usually clear drink appear rather brackish).

I thought it only right to set the record straight, because there are so many individuals (and bartenders) who are substituting olive brine for the vermouth, so that you end up with a glass of gin-flavored olive brine.

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Cinema Recommendation:

Sunrise at Campobello (1960). Ralph Bellamy, Greer Garson. Directed by Vincent J. Donehue. A "snapshot" of FDR, at the start of his battle with polio and his appearance at the Democratic National Convention. What better movie to enjoy with a Dirty Martini, than one about its creator? I believe there are scenes showing FDR enjoying a martini or two.