9 replies to this topic

[Jericho_One]

Well, here's a topic I thought would be funny to write something about, and I truly feel somewhat puzzled about this in a funny kind of way.

The real question is: how to hold a Martini glass?

Bearing in mind that the martini glass is designed in a way to prevent the drinker from placing his hand and fingers around the receptacle of the drink itself (the body warmth would warm the drink up, and as you all know, a martini should be consumed ice-cold), I always find myself a little confused everytime I order a dry martini.

In the movies you always watch Bond grabbing the glass with his fingers around the top of it (wich is probably a bit over the surface of the drink, it won't warm it, so it's probably the most correct way of doing it - and besides, it's in the movies!) and that's the way I do it too - It just doesn't feel right holding the glass just below the drink, on the "column" of the glass.

Anyway, these glasses weren't visibly designed to be carried around, so most of the time they're sitting in a counter or in a table, and are only lifted when the drinker drinks from it - so, holding it is not really a big problem.

So, connoisseurs, please share your opinions on the "Science of Holding and Drinking from a Martini Glass".

[Judo chop]

I like to emulate Broz, when he grabs his 'tini in the ice palace; grasp the rim between middle finger and thumb, and pull to your lips.

Do not sip like you're afraid - take a deep, intoxicating mouthful. Tim executes this technique quite nicely in TLD, though unfortunately he's been slipped the mickey.

Feel cool, because you know you are. But don't look around to see others seeing that you are cool. That would be uncool and very unBondlike.

[*Gala*]

I've never drank a martini (mocktails and virgin daiquiris for me!) but I've held martini glasses before... alas, since they're not actual martinis holding it never really had the risk of it getting warm for me... although I like to pretend it does just so I can feel like a Bond girl at times!

The way I hold it is probably totally wrong since I just go by what "feels right" and it looks like I'm attempting to drink tea British-style from a martini glass. I guess it looks pretty neat or something to hold the bottom of the glass so that it is just a few milimeters from your hand and then have your pinky pointing out... as ridiculous as it sounds. I've seen people attempt to copy me at it so I'm taking that part as a good sign.

[Jericho_One]

Do not sip like you're afraid - take a deep, intoxicating mouthful. Tim executes this technique quite nicely in TLD, though unfortunately he's been slipped the mickey.

I'd love to say I've tried that before, but I'm not sure my liver would live to tell the story.
Anyway, in a less humourous tone, I just can't remember him doing that in TLD, gotta check the movie again.

But actually I do appreciate my Martinis in very little sips - I do privilege Gin over Vodka, but for me, anything bigger than a little sip, and the gin in the Martini will just taste bitterer than what is supposed to in my mouth (Opinions... ).

[Roebuck]

I do privilege Gin over Vodka, but for me, anything bigger than a little sip, and the gin in the Martini will just taste bitterer than what is supposed to in my mouth

Right now I favour tequila in mine. Bit of an abomination but I love it, especially with a jalape

[darkpath]

So far, my range of martinis are rather limited. On one end of the range I've enjoyed a few Vespers, including the superb one prepared under the instruction of our very own Bryce. On the other, I've had the odd chocolate martini (odd, in my opinion is a very good word for it, by the way). In between, I've had precious little that qualify as martinis. I've tried the spanning the rim with thumb and middle finger approach used by Tim and Pierce. I've also tried grasping it by the stem; but frankly, it feels and looks weird to me. I'll do some more research and report back with my findings.

[Bryce (003)]

[quote name='Roebuck' post='701765' date='14 February 2007 - 12:08']Right now I favour tequila in mine. Bit of an abomination but I love it, especially with a jalape

[Double-0-7]

What a tasty question!

I hadn't thought about my martini interaction, so I just shook up an experiment to see how exactly I do get the liquid from glass to lips.

It might be due to the size of my hands, but the thumb, index, and middle finger grip of the rim doesn't work for me. I wrap my fingers around the stem, with the index finger knuckle right against the bottom of the reservoir. With a frigid full glass, this grip feels a bit top-heavy, but that first, fearless deep drink puts the balance-point at a much more acceptable level. Although my personal balance-point seemed to shift in an opposite direction.

On a related note, I still don't have the Vesper mix adjusted quite to my liking despite the location of the key ingredient of Lillet Blanc.

That day may have to wait until DTBB2 when 003 can give the proper directions!

[Jeff007]

Great thread. Now I must go and make a Vesper.

[MarcAngeDraco]

Strangely enough, mine don't seem to ever have enough time to warm up...