The martini is most likely named after Martini & Rossi vermouth, though rival origin stories involve the town of Martinez, California, and a New York bartender — the surname ultimately traces to Mars, the Roman god of war.
A cocktail made with gin (or vodka) and dry vermouth, typically garnished with an olive or lemon twist.
The origin is contested. Most likely named after the Martini & Rossi vermouth brand, founded in Turin, Italy, in 1863. Some claim it derives from the town of Martinez, California, where a gold miner supposedly ordered the drink. Others connect it to a bartender named Martini di Arma di Taggia at the Knickerbocker Hotel in New York. The Italian surname Martini comes from the Latin name Martinus, from Mars, the Roman god of war. Key
James Bond's famous instruction to have his martini 'shaken, not stirred' is considered heresy by most bartenders. Shaking a martini with ice dilutes it more and introduces tiny air bubbles that cloud the drink. Stirring produces a silkier, clearer result.