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Shaken, not Stirred
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
NOW THAT’S A MARTINI: Buckhead Diner makes it easy to belly up to the bar.
Photo: Brant Sanderlin/AJC
I’m so in for Bond this weekend — I think our entire family is heading to see it. Before hand, I’m going to recommend a martini or two — and I hate to make my own drinks.
Even though Bond — whether played by Daniel Craig or Sean Connery — is hardly the sissy type, he does drink vodka martinis, which is bothersome. Martinis are made with gin, dahlinks! They’re made with gin, vermouth and either a twist of lemon or an olive — or in my case, lots of olives plus juice. I often like my lunch poured.
Bond, of course, has made the vodka martini a legend — though Ian Fleming’s first mention of it, in 1953’s Casino Royale, is a mixture of gin and vodka, plus Lillet. Here’s the passage from the book:
“Bond insisted on ordering Leither’s Haig-and-Haig ‘on the rocks’ and then he looked carefully at the barman.
‘A dry martini,’ he said. ‘One. In a deep champagne goblet.’
‘Oui, monsieur.’
‘Just a moment. Three measures of Gordon’s, one of vodka, half a measure of Kina Lillet. Shake it very well until it’s ice-cold, then add a large thin slice of lemon peel. Got it?’
‘Certainly, monsieur.’ The barman seemed pleasant with the idea.
I’m pleasant with the idea, too. My favorite dirty martini is at Buckhead Diner, where it’s served up, ice cold and with the perfect mix of juice and gin. I’ve also been known to enjoy a good martini at Restaurant Eugene (where there is a wonderful selection of gin) and the bar at the C & S Oyster House. My gin? Hendricks, of course.
Permalink | Comments (4) | Post your comment | Categories: Dining
Comments
By sheena
November 13, 2008 5:38 PM | Link to this
Can’t wait for Bond to come out this weekend! And I agree, gin is the way to go.
By ben
November 14, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this
You obviously know your Gin Joints. Each of those bar/restaurants carry Martin Miller’s Gin, which is usually pretty hard to find. If you truly are a gin lover, I suggest you give it a tipple. It will knock your socks off.
By Susan
November 14, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this
Meridith, Why go to all the trouble to convince us to use gin in martinis while stating your preference for what is virtually a cucumber flavoured vodka?
By Meridith Ford
November 17, 2008 5:21 PM | Link to this
Ben, I love Miller’s, but I love Hendricks more. Susan: Please dear. Don’t go there.