Chronicles of the Martini
£80 pp
Ever since it first appeared in the 1880’s the Martini has been one of, if not the, most popular cocktails in the world.
“The only American invention as perfect as the sonnet.” - As the great American newspaper man H.L. Mencken is said to have described it.
Though as you’ll learn in this session he almost certainly didn’t actually say that, and indeed everything else you think you know about the Martini is is quite possibly wrong too!
Join us for a deep dive into the amazing history of this timeless drink; where and when it emerged, how to make it, some of the most famous names that have enjoyed this drink over the years, all whilst tasting a range of Martinis illustrating how the drink has evolved over the decades.
Please arrive on time and sober as there is quite a bit to get through and several drinks to be drunk.
Session Times
Friday
8:30pm
Duration · 1hr 30min
“..I stumble across The Ginstitute... If there were a Gin God, Id be thanking him about now”
— The Sunday Times
The Experience
Chronicles of the Martini
1. Arrival
On the day of your experience, please arrive at least 10 minutes early to allow for enough time to check in and ensure that your party is able to sit together. Enter through the main entrance on Portobello Road. Head up to our second floor bar the Malt Floor where the martini experience will take place.
2. The evolution of the Martini
Let's start at the beginning! What came before the Martini and how the arrival of vermouth changed cocktails forever. What did the first Martini taste like and how did it transform into the drink we know today.
3. Martini Culture
“Shaken not Stirred”: Here you’ll learn why James Bond, the World’s most famous martini drinker, actually got his Martinis all wrong and who else said what about the revered drink.
4. Martini School
How exactly do you make a Martini? How do you order one confidently knowing you’ll get the one you want out of the of the many existing variants? We’ll show you! We might even sneak in the knowledge bomb of why the Pornstar and Espresso Martinis are not really true Martinis so you can really impress the bartender next time you’re at the bar.
5. Tasting
You will of course be well educated with a taster of various martinis as we meander through the ages of the classic serve. We’ll start with the 1882 Harry Johnson “Martini Cocktail”, moving onto 1904 Frank P Newman “Dry Martini”. We’ll then try Gus Sible’s “Iron Curtain Cocktail from 1947 and then get a good caffeine kick with Dick Bradsell’s “Espresso Martini” from 1990. We’ll finish on our own “Deluxe Martini” from The Distillery.
6. Cheers!
After sipping your way through our evoloution and dedication to the Martini. Its time to choose your favourite and enjoy and savour one last Martini at the bar!
Gift Vouchers
The perfect gift for the spirit lover that has it all! A fun informative session on the wonderful martini cocktail.
Join us for a deep dive into the amazing history of this timeless drink; where and when it emerged, how to make it, some of the most famous names that have enjoyed this drink over the years, all whilst tasting a range of Martinis illustrating how the drink has evolved over the decades.
Contact & Location
We are a 6 minute walk (0.3 miles) from Ladbroke Grove which is on the Hammersmith and City and Cirlce lines and a 14 minute walk (0.7 miles) from Notting Hill Gate, which is on the Circle, Central and District lines. Both stations are serviced by buses.