On 2012-05-17 17:44:44 +0000, sf said:

>>> The worst part about Martini & Rossi is traveling and thirsting for a
>>> decent martini... I ask if they make martinis and they proudly pull
>>> out of bottle of Martini & Rossi. Say what? Where's the gin?
>>
>> You mean in Europe I suppose.
>
> Yes, China too. My one and only gin martini was free there because I
> demonstrated how to make an American style martini to the bar manager.

Isn't that a bitch? I've been giving free bartender lessons all over
the globe for years--but mostly here in the USA. Hell, in general most
bartenders are about as into their gig as the crew at the counter at
Taco Bell. And about as sanitary.

>> I began saying "gin martini", or "martini gin". After establishing
>> blanc they would bring a 50/50 martini/gin combination with a slice of
>> lemon. Frequently they would ask if I wanted two ice cubes or three. I
>> suppose it is a serious consideration to them.
>
> They know Americans have a love affair with ice cubes and ice cold
> drinks.

I think there's some cultural thing going on there but I haven't quite
figured it out yet.

>> Only when I went to a conspicuous hotel like Hotel de Crillon did I
>> manage to get a bona-fide martini. They are probably available at
>> American ex-pat places but I never went there.
>
> Okay, then I'm not the only one who felt like I was on a snipe hunt.
> What's so hard about making a simple American style martini anyway?

My guesses:

1) Just too much booze. They like to drink them low and slow.

2) They don't seem to get it with gin, everywhere there has plenty of
rum (or rhum) in all kinds of flavors. I don't think vodka makes the
cut either. And drinking whiskey even seems somewhat efete, only in
the nicer places can I find whiskey.

As such, I don't think an American Martini would be the only problem,
it seems to tough to get almost any kind of significant cocktail.

Eventually I began drinking the "Americano maison". And they actually
do it differently everywhere I went, with white and red vermouth, a
slice of lemon, some gin, some without, some OJ (or facsimile), some
without. And Campari as well, depending. But inebriation-level booze?
No; slow enough that I get sleepy before I get loaded.

>> In fairness, even though I now love M&R blanc, it's not the best choice
>> for a gin martini, it's too sweet really. For me it's Noilly Prat or
>> Dolin.
>
> I like Noilly Prat in a gin martini, must look for Dolin (but not
> extra-dry). That's a new brand for me.

If you like good dry and sweet vermouths, Dolin rocks.