Sitting at the bar at Café Annie yesterday evening, it was hard not to notice the parade of hefty and attractive martinis being assembled and sent to guests around the restaurant. That helped entice my friend to switch from wine – and ensure that his wife, not he, would have driving responsibility later. When he was ordering, I asked our bartender what type of vermouth is typically used in their martinis. He said none.
When you order a martini at Café Annie, you will get a glass of shaken gin (or vodka, if you must) featuring flickering slivers of ice garnished with olives, unless you have specific instructions. Wanting the aid of vermouth, and spying a bottle of Dolin which I had been praising, my friend ordered a 3-to-1 martini, which he greatly enjoyed. Surprisingly, it was the Dolin Blanc vermouth, which is sweeter than the standard dry vermouth, which I have at home. Not traditional, but a sip made me think that the Blanc (or Bianco or white) vermouth can make for a tasty and even thirst-quenching martini, if used properly.
When you order a martini at Café Annie, you will get a glass of shaken gin (or vodka, if you must) featuring flickering slivers of ice garnished with olives, unless you have specific instructions. Wanting the aid of vermouth, and spying a bottle of Dolin which I had been praising, my friend ordered a 3-to-1 martini, which he greatly enjoyed. Surprisingly, it was the Dolin Blanc vermouth, which is sweeter than the standard dry vermouth, which I have at home. Not traditional, but a sip made me think that the Blanc (or Bianco or white) vermouth can make for a tasty and even thirst-quenching martini, if used properly.
