Lupa’s 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 …
