under the influence
- Rebecca Doyle
- Apr 18
- 4 min read
ANALYZING THE SAVOURY MARTINI TREND & TORONTO'S TOP TINIS
With notable figures of the savoury martini genre like @CookingwithHollyB sharing her innovative ideas such as “the dirtiest bev of mankind” and @Timmyst.jean starting a series called “Making a martini until I like it”, it’s safe to say that 2025 is the year of savoury martinis and people being inspired to make their own!
There are many different theories about who started the martini mayhem we know and love today. According to FrankieBones, "'Professor' Jerry Thomas, a famous and influential 19th-century bartender, invented the drink at the Occidental Hotel in San Francisco, in the 1850s or 1860s. As the story goes, a miner, about to set out on a journey to Martinez, California, put a gold nugget on the bar and asked Thomas [to mix him up a cocktail.] Thomas produced a drink containing Old Tom (sweetened) gin, vermouth, bitters and Maraschino, and dubbed it the “Martinez” in honor of the customer’s destination”, While the most popular theory is that “Some New York sources insist that a bartender at the Knickerbocker Hotel, named Martini di Arma di Taggia, invented the Martini in 1911 for America’s first billionaire, John B. Rockerfeller, co-founder of the Standard Oil Company."
Despite being up for debate, it’s crucial to note that James Bond influenced the cocktail we know today. Ian Fleming created the Vesper Martini for the well-known British secret agent James Bond. “The drink first appeared in Fleming's Casino Royale, which was published in 1953, the cocktail is named for the fictional double agent (and Bond love-interest) Vesper Lynd. James Bond gives the bartender very specific instructions for his desired dry martini 'Three measures of Gordon’s, one of vodka, half a measure of Kina Lillet. Shake it very well until it’s ice-cold, then add a large thin slice of lemon peel.'” This film brought us the iconic Vesper as we know and love it today, but also the well-known “Shaken, not stirred” line!
The martini is also a political potion. “It was the first drink of the day for Gerald Ford when he was a member of the House. [Also] it was Richard Nixon’s last before he stepped down as President.” It's said that President Franklin enjoyed martinis and hosted a daily “Martini Hour”. Although, history reports he was a terrible mixer and used ingredients like Anisette or fruit juice.
As social media remains a powerful force in influencing, “tini time” series host, Alessandra Pizzorni is going to the extreme of Loaded Baked Potatotinis and Olive Garden inspired martinis! It's possible that Savoury martinis were an occurrence prior to social media. Savoury martinis date back to 1952. "According to cocktail historian David Wondrich, a man in public relations was in Detroit, complaining about his troubles selling Campbell’s beef bouillon. The man he complained to was Lester Gruber, the owner of the Caucus Club, one of the most fashionable bars in town. He added beef bouillon, with a splash of vodka, a little Worcestershire sauce, a squeeze of lemon, and a few drops of Tabasco. From there, the Bullshot was born. “Ox on the Rocks,” as it was sometimes known, enjoyed a mild spurt of popularity as an oddity—mostly as a “freak drink.”
Similarly, in the summer of 1955, numerous magazine editors, columnists and radio broadcasters across the United States received a care package from Campbell's soup. The care package included "an ice bucket, a set of tongs, and a can of Campbell’s beef bouillon.[...] The gift basket also contained a recipe booklet instructing what to do with the soup: Pour it into an over-sized rocks glass and sip it like an Old Fashioned.” There’s little evidence that everyday Americans were swapping their bourbon for bouillon, but the campaign still lasted well in the 1970s."
While current opinion on savoury martinis is mixed, this has also been the case in the past! Marilyn Monroe apparently stated about the Bullshot, “What a horrible thing to do with vodka”, Joan Crawford was a fan.
For all the Movie Buffs, the 1980s film Caddyshack features a line about the drink, “actor and comedian Rodney Dangerfield ask[s] the film’s lead Chevy Chase: “Hey, can you make a Bullshot?”
For every savoury martini, you can almost always find a sweet one. You simply search for something as sweet as s’morestini and you will find your sip. The espresso martini is the perfect savory yet sweet sip for those wanting a mix of both!
TOP 5 ESPRESSO MARTINIS IN TORONTO:
Its bold flavours and dash of gold make the experience so much better.
For the classic espresso martini enjoyers and those wanting to try the Four Seasons recipe! It’s hard to pick which one you want to try, so consider getting both...
Heads up: It’s bitter, but every sip is enjoyable. The ultimate spot for a girl's night out!
Pairs perfectly with Sadelle’s brunch.
Simply an unforgettable cocktail in a beautiful environment.
For those wanting to try multiple different espresso martinis at one location, Coffee Oysters, and Champagne has five different types!
While this martini trend is still somewhat new on social media, some noted restaurants in Toronto have already adopted this savoury sip. Such as And/ore’s everything bagel martini, Canoe’s tomatotini, and the Library Bar having a caviartini! Whether they will stay on the menu for long, remains a mystery. However, this trend is one to be recognized on and off social media.
BY EMILY GLASS
Imagery by Rebecca Doyle
Sources:
