The History of the Vodka Martini

There may not be a single cocktail in history with as much fame and prestige as the vodka martini. From James Bond to the Rat Pack, this cocktail has worked its way through time as a symbol of class, sophistication and status. In post-prohibition America, the palate of the public was not as refined as it is now. After over a decade of drinking bathtub gin and bootlegged rye from Canada, the people had grown accustomed to high-proof spirits with a light, and often immature, flavour profile. Enter vodka.

Seen as ‘the flavourless alcohol’, vodka had worked its way to the western hemisphere and grew a reputation fast. The holy grail of bartending, vodka was the perfect spirit for mixed drinks, because it allowed for more subtle flavours to go a much, much longer way. Cocktails with vodka were on the rise, but it wasn’t until 1951 that the first vodka martini recipe appeared in Ted Saucier’s bar guide, Bottoms Up. Five years later, this drink was given the single greatest catchphrase in cocktail history; “Shaken, not stirred.”

With respect to 007’s legendary order, we at Heretic Spirits wanted to create something that carried the same level of dignity, while broadening the scope of when you can enjoy.