We sat down with Johnnie Martini for an interview, to get an idea of the man and to learn what he had to teach us about the martini.  This is just an excerpt from the interview, but we think it provides an insight into both the man and the cocktail.

Johnnie And Martinis

WS:  Johnnie, thank you for agreeing to meet with us and answer a few questions...

JM:  Forget about it.

WS:  When did you have your first martini?

JM:  I went from the breast to the bottle.

WS:  The gin bottle?

JM:  I prefer vodka.

WS:  So, who makes the best martini you've had?

JM:  I do, sweetheart.

WS:  Who makes the second best?

JM:  My mother.

WS:  Really?

JM:  Would I lie to you?  Come on...

Secrets Of The Martini Recipe

WS:  Well, what's the secret to making a good martini.

JM:  Okay.  You've asked a good question.  The secret is that there are four basic ingredients to a classic martini.  You've got your booze, which is gonna be either a gin or a vodka.  You've got your vermouth.  Now a lot of folks, they don't get this.  But, your third ingredient is water.  There's water in a martini.  And your fourth ingredient is your garnish, whatever it may be.

The secret is balancing these four ingredients.  Some knuckleheads go too heavy on the vermouth because they don't understand subtlety.  You don't need much vermouth. 

Those not-in-the-know stick their booze in the freezer.  They think it will make their cocktail smoother or crisper or whatever.  But it doesn't.  What it does is prevent the water from getting into the drink.

WS:  How so?

JM:  Yeah, well.  You see, you pour room temperature booze into your cocktail shaker, and over the ice, it melts some of the ice.  If you stick the booze in the freezer, it's just as cold as the friggin' ice.  Kabeesh?

WS:  Okay.

JM:  So the secret is not to be a knucklehead.  Get yourself top quality booze.  Use a small amount of vermouth...just coat the sides of the glass with it.  Let a little water get into the drink. 

WS:  That sounds simple enough.

JM:  Hey!  I'm a simple guy. 

Ordering A Martini At The Lounge

WS:  When you're out, what kind of martini do you order?

JM:  Well, I've trained the guys at my favorite spots.  So, I just tell 'em "Hey, make me a friggin' great martini!"

WS:  Your own recipe?

JM:  Well, okay.  See, it's not like I invented the freakin' drink or anything.  I mean, it's a martini.  I just know how to do it right.  I show other people how to do it right and the world's a better place.

WS:  Making the world better one martini at a time?

JM:  Yeah, sure.  I like that.

Martini Recipe Variations

WS:  Do you make other varieties of martinis or do you stick with the more classic recipe?

JM:  I'll make you anything you like.  As for myself, I enjoy a classic vodka martini and I make a friggin' great one. 

I'll make some of the sweet and frutti type cocktails for the ladies to keep 'em happy, but let's face it...I'm a man's man and I'm not gonna sip on some paper umbrella fruity drink unless I'm pool side in Wikiki. 

You know what I mean?

Learning How To Make A Martini

WS:  How can someone learn how to make a great martini?

JM:  I'm glad you asked me that.  I've got this computer boy puttin' up an Internet website for me.  I told him how to make a friggin' great martini and he's gonna put it on the computer. 

WS:  What's the URL for the website?

JM:  URL?  What the hell are you talkin' about?

WS:  The name of the website.

JM:  Ah.  Yeah, it's "JohnnieMartini.com".  What else would I call it? 

Enjoying A Martini Cocktail

WS:  Can a martini be enjoyed at anytime?

JM:  Sure.  I mean, I don't recommend them for breakfast, but it's a free country.

WS:  Wait until noon?

JM:  I'm a busy guy.  I've got things to do and in my line of work I can't afford to be drinkin' at noon.  Hey, but if that's your racket then knock yourself out! 

The Martini Glass or Cocktail Glass

WS:  So why is a martini always served in a martini glass?

JM:  A martini glasss is just a cocktail glass, but because martinis are so popular people just associate it with a martini.  I'm sure there's more to it, but you want a glass that makes the martini attractive to look at.  Presentation is a big part of it.

Also, a martinis are best when they are cold.  If you serve the drink in an old fashion or high ball type glass, your martini will get warm pretty quick because of the heat from your hand.  There's no ice in the glass to keep it cold.  A cocktail glass, or martini glass, with it's long stem and base let's you hold your cocktail without turning the drink warm.

Johnnie Martini's Line Of Work

WS:  What is your line of work?

JM:  Don't ask.

Advice by Johnnie Martini

WS:  Any more advice for novice mixologists?

JM:  Yeah.  Bookmark the website and read up, baby.  It's all there. 

I mean, I'm tired of all these snapper heads always asking "Johnnie, what's your secret?  Johnnie, how can I make a martini like you?  Johnnie, why can't I make my martini smoothe like yours?"...

I'm a helpful guy and all, but enough is enough.  Now, I just tell 'em "Baby, it's all on the site..."

Making A Friggin' Great Martini