A Martini With Dad
“I at age about 10 or
so, started it -
You take an old
fashion glass or a whiskey glass and fill it with large ice , no small shards. To
that you add to about 3/4 up the glass - stopping only briefly to add a little VERMOUTH. Thus, began my,
usually weekly, experience with my dad grilling steaks on a weekend. I learned
how to make a superb martini - at least according to him. I got a lot of
practice since it wouldn't be just limited to one as he grilled and talked.
But those talks were
a lifetime of education for me. Actually, I learned more about finance, economics,
world history, you can almost name any subject my dad had some level of expertise
on. And during that time, standing there, martini on the rocks in one hand and a grilling tool on the other, he would talk with me about life. And that's how I learned about how to make
a martini. I also learned how to
grill. That man was nowhere to be found on a weekend, except behind the grill!“
…
Thus, began the solemn funeral oration of a son to his father. As you might imagine, it caught me off guard. I
could not understand why there was a young man standing at the lectern, in the front of the church at the funeral of
his father, William, reading to us about how to make a Martini.
Patience is a wonderful thing. As I patiently sat there
listening to what he said, I understood and began to realize where he was going,
and the tears came to my eyes as they do now, as I listened to a son speak of his father. It was
unusual to say the least, but it was an unusual day in an unusual time and all that's needed to be said.
However, for me I'll never forget this heart rendition of
how a young man spoke of his father's passing so eloquently.
COCKTAIL
Martini
6 parts Gin
1 part Vermouth
Strain into
a chilled martini glass, twist of lemon, or alternatively serve it on the rocks.
Appetizer - sliced grilled sirloin steak on crouton.
Music – “Don't Get Around
Much Anymore.” Duke Ellington jazz piece.
History of the Martini. It is reportedly back to 1863, an Italian vermouth maker marketed a brand called Martini. Alternately, the Occidental Hotel
of San Francisco makes claim to a cocktail named Martinez.
Sources IBA and Wikipedia cocktails.
