When I was about fifteen years old, I watched the movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s for the first time and instantly became obsessed with Audrey Hepburn. Puberty is so awkward and I desired the nonchalant grace and quick wit Audrey portrayed in the movie. I covered the wall of my bedroom with reproductions of her movie posters, I owned VHS tapes of all but her earliest movies and only because they were rare and hard to find (I’m showing my age here – DVD’s and Blu-ray were not even on the market yet), I collected books about her life, and had an entire scrapbook devoted to pictures of her I had cut from magazines. Twice I dressed as Holly Golightly for Halloween. In fact, I even have a gold powder compact that my Dad bought off eBay with papers that swear Audrey once used this very compact to powder her nose.
I told you I was obsessed.
After watching Breakfast at Tiffany’s, I decided I was going to become a martini drinker as soon as I was old enough to drink. One year for my birthday, my Dad decided to indulge me. No, he didn’t contribute to the delinquency of a minor. But he did order a martini from a bar and let me take a sip.
Ehm, yeah. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but that wasn’t it. I liken it to what I would imagine kerosene to taste like. I think I may have gagged and I’m pretty sure I made a terrible face.
Does that make me a wimp?
I have since discovered there are about a million different varieties of martinis out there much more palatable than the dirty martini with olives. Rarely will I turn down a good Cosmopolitan. Chocolate martinis make me swoon.
Two years ago during our vacation to San Antonio, The Husband and I visited Swig Martini Bar.
He’s a big martini fan too, but I think it’s more of a James Bond-type thing.
This place has just about any kind of martini you could imagine. One of our favorites was named “The Soprano.” We’re not sure where the name originated from. The husband thinks it’s named after the TV show because it has two types of Italian liqueurs in it. A quick search of “Soprano martini” on Google reveals just as many different variations as there are types of martinis.
We prefer this mixture. The Husband came up with the name in honor of the beloved Tony Soprano.
Make mine with extra cherries, please.
This recipe was included in “10 Modern Martinis for the James Bond in Everyone” on Yummly on August 9, 2011
The Gangster Martini
- 1 oz. Tuaca
- 1 oz. Amaretto
- 1 oz. vodka
- 1 ½ oz. pineapple juice
- Maraschino cherries, for garnish
- Fill a shaker with ice cubes.
- Pour in liqueurs, vodka, and pineapple juice.
- Cover with a tight fitting lid and shake until combined.
- Pour into a chilled glass.
- Garnish with cherries if desired.
Oh yes. My first martini. That was quite an unfortunate experience. Since then I’ve learned, go fruity or don’t go there at all. The Soprano sounds delicious!
I turned 21 about 6 months ago, and I still have never had a martini. I am putting this on my list of things to try.
The Soprano sounds like the drink for the summer.Thanks!
Tastes just like Swig! Thanks!