Martinez

The Martinez, which, according to one legend, was invented in Martinez, California, in 1876, is reputed to be the forerunner of the Martini. The original recipe, published by Jerry Thomas in the 19th century, is as follows:

4 oz. Italian sweet vermouth
1 oz. Old Tom gin
2 dashes maraschino liqueur
1 dash Boker's bitters

Shake with two lumps of ice and strain into cocktail glass. Put a quarter slice of lemon in the glass.

Two of the ingredients--Old Tom gin and Boker's bitters--were until recently impossible to find. With the recent resurgence of interest in classic cocktails, they have been revived. Old Tom can be found at the better liquor stores; a recreation of Boker's bitters, unavailable since 1906, can be ordered online.