The 19th century saw gin's remarkable transformation from a drink of desperation to a spirit of sophistication. As distillation techniques improved and quality regulations tightened, gin became respectable—and the perfect foundation for cocktails.

The martini's exact origins remain debated, with stories ranging from a San Francisco bartender named Julio Richelieu to a New York City hotel in the 1880s. What's certain is that by the 1880s, a cocktail combining gin and vermouth had emerged as the aristocrat of mixed drinks.

The early 20th century became the martini's golden age. From the Art Deco lounges of the 1920s to James Bond's famous 'shaken, not stirred' preference in the 1960s, the martini symbolized elegance, power, and sophistication. It was the drink of diplomats, executives, and cultural icons.