Some people believe that the olive is the most delicious portion of a martini. Those who enjoy martinis frequently remark that garnishing the cocktail with olives adds an added layer of taste. Cocktail-goers are unanimous in their belief that a simple olive garnish transforms gin and vermouth into a martini. The Facts Image courtesy of Kanawa Studio/iStock/Getty Images
However, in the 1880s, a new taste for savoury garnishes began to emerge, and bartenders were eager to adopt the olive as part of their repertoire. Why? Because the flavor brings out the aromatics in the gin while also complimenting the vermouth and balancing the Martini’s bracing strength, it’s a great choice for a cocktail.
Why is it called a martini without an olive?
He claims that his contribution to the world-famous cocktail was the addition of an olive to each glass. The reason he did so was because the Idlib governorate in Syria, where he was born and raised, was well-known for its indisputable freshness and deliciousness of olives. Following the popularity of this approach, the cocktail was given the name martini rather than Martinez.