Question: olive in a martini?

Question

what is the olive in a martini for? you don't see an olive resting in any other drinks; why the martini? how did this originate?

Answer 1

It is an aromatic that adds a nice contrast to the gin and vermouth flavors. You can also use a cocktail onion or flamed lemon peel.

EDIT:

Sorry, but a "extra dry martini" means that you use an extra dry vermouth instead of sweet and more gin/vodka. Dirty means that you add extra olive juice. Gibson means that you use the onion. A perfect martini is equal parts gin/vodka and vermouth.

Here, watch this...I promise it isn't p**n or spam. It is a segment for The Food Network program Good Eats featuring Martinis.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HrxondwC...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEQVfeYAD...

EDIT 2:

Rapasadi,

I'm sorry to inform you, but it is you who is wrong... I will admit that in my haste to answer I didn't giver parts and I didn't specify what vermouth to use in a perfect.

Dry Martini - 4 parts gin/vodka and a dash of vermouth.

http://www.drinksmixer.com/drink1495.htm...

Extra Dry Martini - 4 parts gin/vodka and a few drops of extra dry vermouth.

http://www.swankmartini.com/martini_reci...

Perfect Martini - 4 parts gin/vodka, 1/2 to 1 part each of sweet and dry vermouth. It still must have gin or vodka.

http://www.drinksmixer.com/drink6129.htm...

Dirty Martini - 4 parts gin/vodka, vermouth to taste (I prefer 1 part personally) and 1 TSP brine (olive juice).

http://www.drinksmixer.com/drink9068.htm...

A Classic Martini's recipe has flowed and ebbed with the taste of society over the years and can hardly be quantified. Hence the reason I didn't say a "classic" martini in anywhere in my answer before now.  To me, a classice MUST have gin (4 parts), dry vermouth (2 parts) and two olives. A good friend of mine believes that a classic can only have vodka and not gin. Just doing a yahoo search for "recipe classic martini" I've found nearly a dozen variation on the first page alone.

http://cocktails.about.com/od/cocktailre...

This may come off conceited...but please don't question my martini knowledge. It is one of my favorite things.

Answer 2

i always thought it was to look cute and to give you something to suck on when trying to draw in a gentlemen lol

Answer 3

Mayor West:

I'm sorry but you are wrong on two counts.

All classic martini's use dry vermouth not sweet and an extra dry uses no vermouth, a dry martini uses a little vermouth (1/8 ounce).  

A perfect martini uses equal amounts of dry and sweet vermouth, no vodka.

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With that said an olive is only the standard garnish for a classic martini or a dirty martini - Any dry or extra dry martini will use a lemon twist traditional.  The salty taste of a green olive adds to the flavor dynamic.  Just like a flag (cherry & orange slice) compliments a sour drink well, or a lime compliments beverages mixed with cola well.  The olive is there to help compliment the flavors.

Answer 4

its in there for taste

Answer 5

Olives are used in martinis because portobello mushrooms take up too much space. Next question?

Answer 6

Its to give the gin a flavor.  Like instead of a mixer (tonic, soda, something like that) it is flavored with olives.  That is why you will hear people order it "extra dirty" which just means more olive juice.

Answer 7

Don't know the origin but the olive is there for taste. If you order a dirty martini, they add more of the olive juice to the vodka. Vodka or gin martini is usually served w/2 olives. It does taste very good. If you haven't had one, order one w/ good quality vodka like Belvedere. Enjoy!