World Martini Day: Stirred, Shaken, and Still the Most Iconic Cocktail

World Martini Day – 19th June

Few cocktails spark as many opinions—or as much reverence—as the Martini. Whether you like it dry, dirty, wet, with a twist, or straight out of a freezer-chilled coupe, the Martini is one of the few drinks that feels like a ritual every time.

With World Martini Day falling on June 19, there’s no better time to revisit this timeless cocktail—and maybe even rethink what you thought you knew about it.

Sipping on a Gibson Martini

What Exactly Is a Martini?

A classic Martini is made with gin or vodka, and dry vermouth, stirred over ice, and garnished with either an olive or a lemon twist. That’s it. Simple on paper, but endlessly debatable in practice.

Want to cause an argument at the bar? Ask two people how they like their Martini. One will insist on no vermouth. Another will want it wet and briny. Someone’s always ordering it shaken like Bond, while others will swear by stirring for clarity and texture.

But that’s part of the Martini’s charm—it’s not just a drink, it’s a conversation on personal preference.

A Brief History of the Martini

The Martini's exact origin is fuzzy, like many cocktails, but it likely evolved from the Martinez, a gin-and-sweet-vermouth drink from the mid-1800s. By the early 20th century, it had morphed into the cleaner, drier Martini we recognise today—especially as London Dry Gin and dry vermouth became more widely available.

It became a symbol of sophistication in the 1920s, glamour in the 1950s, and suave rebellion in the hands of James Bond in the 1960s.

And now? The Martini is having another moment.

The Modern Martini Renaissance

From Dirty Martinis to Gibson variations with pickled onions and umami tinctures, the Martini is back in the spotlight—but with more creativity and intention than ever.

At The Natural Philosopher, we’re never afraid to experiment with our drinks—and the classics are no exception. Our Martinis are meticulously constructed and batched for consistency, but each is designed to shine in its own way.

Our house Martini is batched with gin or vodka, a splash of Irish potato moonshine, a touch of tonka bean tincture, the tiniest splash of sugar for mouthfeel, and an even tinier dash of vanilla for an inherently creamy texture. It’s stored in the freezer at -15 degrees for an ultra-chilled, silky serve.

Our Gibson Martini, on the other hand, is vodka-based and includes a mix of our traditional dill pickle brine (from our famous picklebacks) alongside brines from cornichons and silverskin onions. Due to the high brine content, it can’t be stored in the freezer—it would freeze solid. Instead, we keep it in the fridge at 3 degrees and stir it down to -6 degrees before serving.

There’s also a shift from large-format Martinis to much smaller serves: MarTinys or Mini Martinis are at the forefront of the Tiny Cocktail movement. These smaller serves allow guests to explore more of the menu, consume less alcohol, and spend less money. Plus, in a smaller format, the drink is usually finished before it has a chance to get warm.

Martini Tips from the Bar

Want to level up your Martini game at home? Here’s how we approach it:

1. Use Quality Spirits – This is a spirit-led cocktail. No place to hide. 2. Don’t Fear Vermouth – A Martini without vermouth is just cold gin. Look for fresh, refrigerated bottles and try a 5:1 or 3:1 ratio to start. 3. Stir, Don’t Shake – Unless you’re after dilution and froth, stirring keeps things silky. 4. Keep It Cold – Chill your glass, chill your ingredients, chill your garnishes.

And the garnish? That’s your signature. Olive for savoury. Twist for bright. Cornichon for a pop of something unexpected.

Raise a Glass to the Martini

Join us on June 19 as we celebrate this storied classic with a few house takes that pay respect to tradition while giving it a Natural Philosopher twist. Whether you’re a Martini devotee or just Martini-curious, we’ll find a version that speaks to you.

Because some cocktails are fads. And some are forever.

World Martini Day

 Wednesday, 19th June 2025

 📍 The Natural Philosopher | 489 Hackney Road

 Buy Tickets HERE