A Lupa Tableside Twist to the Classic Martini

History On The Rocks is Goya’s cocktail series in partnership with Smitha Menon. Here, we explore the often-unknown origin story behind our favourite classic cocktails. We will also be bringing you a modern take on the classic, from some of our favourite bars in the country. This week, the martini.

James Bond had it wrong. A martini should not be shaken.

In its simplest form, a martini contains gin and vermouth, a dash of bitter and garnished with olive or a twist. Apropos for being one of the most popular cocktails in the world, it’s history is shrouded in mystery. One story has it that a German musician, John Paul Aegius Schwartgendorf, emigrated to France and changed his name to Jean Paul Aegide Martini, and his favourite drink was a mixture of gin and white wine. This drink was so popular among French musicians, they called it Martini, and carried it with them to the United States. Another theory says bartender “Professor” Jerry Thomas, invented the drink at the Occidental Hotel in San Francisco, sometime in the late 1850s or early 1860s for a miner who was setting out to Martinez - the drink had gin, vermouth, bitters and Maraschino, and was called the “Martinez”.

Martini shot into the limelight in the late 1980s when Absolut, as part of a an advertising campaign, replaced gin as the base spirit.

Ian Fleming’s James Bond enjoyed a Vesper Martini in the earlier books before migrating to the more popular vodka martinis.

At Lupa, chef Manu Chandra’s wonderful restaurant in Bangalore, their Tableside Martini has a splash of tea vermouth to give it that extra edge.

RECIPE FOR LUPA TABLESIDE MARTINI

Ingredients

75 ml gin
⁠LUPA signature tea vermouth (quantity adjusted to guest’s preferred Martini style)
Saline solution

Method

Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with a large, high quality ice block.
⁠Adjust to the guest’s preferred Martini style (Dry, Wet, Perfect, etc.)
Stir until well chilled and properly diluted.
⁠Present the selection of LUPA’s house made tinctures and allow the guest to choose, adding a personalized aromatic touch.
⁠Express a fresh Italian lemon peel over the glass while pouring the Martini from a height, allowing the citrus oils to coat every drop.
⁠Finish with a lemon twist.
Serve with Halkidiki Greek Olive on the side.

History on the Rocks is a series in partnership with Smitha Menon. Join us as we explore the stories behind our favourite cocktails and how they traveled to us. Each history lesson is followed by a cocktail recipe from some of the country’s top bartenders.

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