books and booze: the thin man and a classic martini

I don’t think there is another book in existence that will make you want a breakfast cocktail more than Dashiell Hammett’s The Thin Man. This is one of Hammett’s fantastic detective stories, written in the 1930’s with all of the glamour and cocktails of the era. I loved this book, the 1930”s nostalgia, the twist ending, and most importantly quick talking duo that is Nick and Nora. That’s right your favorite glassware is named after the main characters from this book.
While literally every character in this book drinks constantly, from first waking until late into the night, only a few actual drinks are named. Mostly, the characters are just mixing numerous unnamed cocktails. To me this means a classic (Gin, is there any other kind?) Martini. I’m ashamed to admit that I’ve never had a classic Martini, as I’ve always ordered them very dry and dirty, like my Nana taught me. Since this cocktail is most likely named after Martini Dry Vermouth, appearing in Frank Newman’s 1904 bar guide, American Bar, as a Dry Martini, the vermouth seems like it might be a key component to this drink. Scroll down for the recipe so you can make your own classic Martini. 

Have you read The Thin Man, what did you think of the book? What’s your preferred Martini? Let me know in the comments. And if you’d like to read along, next weeks book will be The Girl With All The Gifts by M.R. Carey.

Martini (Meehan’s Bartender Manual)
2.24 oz. Monkey 47 Gin
0.75 oz. Dolin Dry Vermouth
Lemon peel 
Garnish: 1 olive

Stir with ice and strain into a Nick and Nora glass. Express lemon peel over the top of the drink and garnish with an olive.

Cheers!