Fat Chance. Of course, many poolside bars require your beverage be in a plastic cup - so if you insist on ordering a martini under these conditions, you get what you deserve. But still, why does ordering a Martini in the tropics produce such bewilderment and disdain? "Sheeze dude, you're on vacation!" "Yes I am, my good man, and I'd love a Martini - do you by chance have Tanquary gin on hand?" This inquiry generally followed by a long pause and a blank stare. As if being on vacation requires consuming some sweet, syrupy, colorful concoction served on ice with speared fruit and a useless little paper umbrella sticking out the top - I'm on vacation, I haven't lost my mind. But alas, if the bartender has even heard of vermouth, let alone have it in stock, they don't know how to use it. We are talking about a mist of vermouth; atoms co-mingling with the gin, ever so lightly. Instead we get measurable quantities splashing through and cutting the gin into some bittersweet creation only vaguely resembling a Martini. It makes one want to give up and order a nice, dry Chardonnay instead... But that's another story. |
