Shaken or Stirred?

[Alasted]

Tyrannical said:

Alasted said:

Very true.  This is also addressed in the aforementioned episode of Good Eats:

"Now I know that Mr. Bond there requested vodka, but I really do believe that a real martini is always built upon gin. Now for you vodka lovers out there that say that you don't like gin, consider this: gin is vodka with herbs and juniper added. They're made from the same grains, at least most of the time, and via the same processes. So give the real stuff a try."

 

 Cold is key with a vodka martini. You don't need a gin martini as cold.

Lot's of people keep vodka in the freezer for this reason. Not so much for other liquors.

Good point.  Would storing the vodka in the freezer negate the need to shake?

Yet another argument against shaking is that doing so would chip the ice and dilute the cocktail.  There was an amusing line from the West Wing about this: "James [Bond] is ordering a weak martini and being snooty about it."

I guess martini drinkers of the world will never be united on this issue.  (Just for the record, I don't even drink anymore. )

EDIT:  Another 'just for the record': I don't even like The West Wing; I just think that line is rather cute.