We're relaunching our monthly Cocktails in Historic Places® gatherings virtually starting with this Vintage Cocktail Hour event. The good news is, if you plan to match Nick Charles martini for martini, you'll already be at home when the party is over. If you don’t live in an historic place, we’ll set the scene to help you feel those vintage vibes!
In honor of Valentine's Day, we're batching up "end of the prohibition era" martinis with those witty, debonair husband and wife detectives Nick and Nora Charles of THE THIN MAN fame. Their love, like their drinking, knew no bounds!
"The important thing is the rhythm. Always have rhythm in your shaking. Now a Manhattan you shake to foxtrot time, a Bronx to two-step time, but a dry Martini you always shake to waltz time.” -Nick Charles
In addition to some martini history and demos, we'll talk a bit about Dashiell Hammett, the creator of the "modern marriage" couple that worked, played and drank together and his real life love affair with fellow writer and political activist Lillian Hellman. Also, expect there to be some musical interludes and cocktail party chatter.
Travel Back to 1934:
If you want to get in the spirit, read or re-read Dashiell Hammett’s THE THIN MAN or watch the 1934 movie before our Cocktail Hour. Amazon Prime and Itunes both have the 1934 original film. Although there are other “Thin Man” movies, this is the only one based on Dashiell Hammett’s novel (a considerably darker story than the one Hollywood rendered for the big screen).
Attire:
If you desire to attire for the occasion, vintage or vintage-inspired cocktail ensembles or silk lounging robes are perfectly appropriate - and it's a big plus if you accessorize with a wire hair terrier by your side for the watch party! Dressing up is totally optional.
What Our Martini Historian Luis Rodriguez Has on the Menu:
Martini. Stirred or shaken? Wet, dry, perfect or sopping? What’s it all mean? With its long history, the martini’s permutations seem endless…as are the queries they raise. Nevertheless, Nick and Nora Charles are perhaps two of the most classic martini drinkers and February 12th is the night ADSLA celebrates their unconventional love and their unapologetic drinking. It’s the 1930s in the wake of Prohibition’s end and John Barleycorn’s victory. It’s the middle of the Great Depression but nothing disturbs the truly rich, and Nora’s fortune is vast. The Charleses have plenty of time (and resources) for cocktails, parties and sleuthing, and ADSLA will be right there with them – several martinis in hand.
Join us as we walk (stumble?) through four (count them FOUR) martini recipes, and all sorts of information, tips, and anecdotes. We’ll share an old martini recipe from The Old Waldorf Astoria Bar Book (1935) made with sweet vermouth(!) and Old Tom Gin (if you can find it – and if not, not to worry, there’s a way around it). We’ll try two martinis from What Shall We Drink? (1934) – one “regular” and one “dry”, both with – wait for it – gomme syrup. Finally, we’ll talk (and drink) our way through to a modern martini, a cocktail so different from its predecessors…all the while staying away from kangaroos! We’ll do Nick and Nora proud.
Get Soused:
What You’ll Need
INGREDIENTS
• Gin (Old Tom, if you can get it and want to shell out the clams; however, be sure it’s clear not
golden; otherwise any gin you like will do)
• Sweet (Italian) Vermouth
• Dry (French) Vermouth
• Orange Bitters
• Simple syrup (you can buy, but it is oh-so-simple (get it?) to make: take equal parts water and
sugar, dissolving the sugar in the water in a saucepan over a medium heat)
• Gomme Syrup (this may be a little more expensive to come across, but you can find it here;
again, you can make your own by following this recipe or you can simply (get it?) substitute
simple syrup for gomme, but the martini’s consistency will be slightly different)
• Olives
• Lemons
EQUIPMENT
• Cocktail shaker (a Boston shaker is recommended, that’s the sort that one tin or glass fits into another)
• Cocktail strainer
• Cocktail Jigger (to measure ounces and half-ounces)
• Vegetable peeler
The Perfectly Era Authentic Martini Glass
The History Company out of Ithaca, NY carries a glass said to be just like the ones in the movie. A different shape and size than today’s glasses.
This event is free. You must RSVP to attend.
Members, friends of members and vintage enthusiasts who want to make new friends (and martinis) are encouraged to join the party!
The registration link will be sent to our extended mailing list via email. You can join our email list right here.