Is Gin or Vodka a gentleman's drink? - Page 2

I'm always amused by waiters who ask "vodka or gin?" when you order a martini, though I suppose it is necessitated by the average American's lack of proper spirit knowledge. Surprisingly few people realize that martini implies gin unless otherwise stated.

What is your source of that assertion?

M8

Which part, that martini implies gin, or that few Americans know it?

That the martini implies gin.

M8

I'm too lazy to do this myself, but here's something easy and mostly correct:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martini_%28cocktail%29

Because I am presently at work and do not have access to the printed sources that have said this, I'll have to settle for a Wiki (I know, I know): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martini_cocktail *edit* I was beaten to it by two minutes.

Wikpedia! Just kidding I have seen the reference before. Actually there is quite a bit of debate about the issue. I am not sure which came first, but I do think it was probably vodka because grain spirits were more costly than potato vodka in the past. In fact most vodka itself, until the early 60's was refined from potatos, whereas grain vodka came in later in the game as costs fell. Now potato vodka is again viewed as high quality since the refining process has improved with brands like Chopin.

The shaken not stirred debate still rages on. I personally think 007 ordered his martini shaken because he mixed in potato vodka with the gin. The potato vodka back then was somewhat oily, so shaking it would disperse the oil. I don't believe in the bruising myth.

I can attest however that when ordering a "dry martini" in the UK it is served in a highball glass with gin and vermouth. It is not served in the type of goblet that is seen in my avatar. However, I am not sure what someone in say Boliva would expect in their martini

Nice topic.

Cheers,

M8

Many many girls I know love to buy Karkov vodka, which is $3.99 a liter or $6.99 for a 1.75. All girls I know love to drink (mostly cheap) vodka, therefore, I find it really hard to consider a man's drink.

Also, it seems chotchy-ass frat boys with no taste love to drink Ketel One and Redbull, or some other premium vodka that has a reputable name.

Whiskey, Brandy, Rum, or Beer for me.

Well said.

If gin and tonic is a ladies drink, then I am a 6-2, 230 pound lady.

I would consider gin or vodka as a gentleman's drink, provided there's not an umbrella in the mix As I type this, right now I am having a Jack Daniels on the rocks. Cheers, M8 P.S. Ms. M8 like MacCallan's 18-yr. old Scotch served neat. That is certainly not a ladies drink!

Ms. M8 has very good taste. I can't get The Saucemistress to get anywhere near whiskey of any sort, much less single-malt.

Gin is a gentlman's spirit; vodka is for peasants.

Hope that clears up any confusion.

Waitrons who ask me if I want my martini mixed with vodka or gin (usually asked in that order, too) I have impaled and I enjoy nursing my martini to the sound of their screams.

I'm always disappointed to be served a martini that contains an olive without a pit. While it doesn't warrant a slow, agonizing execution, I always feel ripped off when my martini finishes in a anemic, emasculated little olive, and the situation is only somewhat ameliorated if it is fitted with a pimento prosthetic.

My daily constitutional is a gin & tonic. When I mix my own martinis, I use Hendricks gin and Lillet blanc stirred and served in an Orrefors Intermezzo martini glass garnished with a Spanish olive.

For mixing gin & tonics, I usually use either Bombay Sapphire or Plymouth. The other day I got some Van Gogh, which is pretty good stuff and the bottle can't be beat.

Otherwise I drink cognac.

G&T and V&T, in my opinion transcend gender affiliations. to go slightly off topic, can anyone recommend a less sweet brand of tonic water? the only stuff i ever buy is schweppes, but i hate getting furry teeth and too much sugar makes me twitchy.

G&T is perhaps my favorite cocktail. I like it with a good dose of fresh squeezed lime juice. Bombay Saphire or Tanqueray, which is often on sale at my liquor store. Yum.

If it's clear or brown, it's a manly cocktail.