National Martini Day

National Martini Day is celebrated annually to honor the iconic alcoholic beverage. If you’re at a bar and the bartender asks you to “name your poison,” ordering a martini is the classy choice. While the origin of the martini remains uncertain, the earliest record of the “Martinez” appears in Jerry Thomas’ 1862 book, How to Mix Drinks, or the Bon Vivant’s Companion. The word “Martini” was first mentioned in 1888 in The New and Improved Illustrated Bartenders’ Manual by Harry Johnson. By 1911, Martini di Arma di Taggia had crafted the modern martini with gin, vermouth, orange bitters, and an olive garnish, creating the classic drink we enjoy today.

Celebrate this fun holiday by ordering a delicious martini with friends or enjoying one at home. Watch a James Bond movie or read a Bond novel, and ask the bartender for a martini “007 style.” Try variations like a vodka martini, apple martini, or espresso martini. If you prefer tart flavors, go for a sour apple martini or sour patch martini. However you celebrate, enjoy responsibly! Cheers!

Interesting Facts

• The martini is believed to have been named after Martinez, California (1887).
• Martini enthusiasts often insist that a perfect martini must be served in a 4-ounce glass.
• The martini glass design is said to have originated during Prohibition, allowing easy disposal of alcohol during police raids.
• The glass’s shape helps prevent the ingredients from separating.
• The Algonquin Hotel in New York City serves a $10,000 martini garnished with a radiant-cut diamond.

Quotes

• “Martinis are the only American invention as perfect as a sonnet.” – H. L. Mencken
• “A man must defend his home, his wife, his children, and his martini.” – Jackie Gleason
• “I never go jogging, it makes me spill my martini.” – George Burns
• “He knows just how I like my martini – full of alcohol.” – Homer Simpson, The Simpsons
• “Happiness is… finding two olives in your martini when you’re hungry.” – Johnny Carson

How to Take Part

• Visit a library to read Ian Fleming’s James Bond novel, Diamonds Are Forever, and learn why Bond prefers his martinis “shaken, not stirred.”
• Order a martini at a bar or try making one at home.
• Throw a martini-themed party with friends and family.
• Experiment with different martini variations like the classic, vodka, apple, or chocolate martini.

When is National Martini Day in 2025?

National Martini Day is observed on June 19 each year.

Observations