Why You Need to Enjoy a Hudson River Martini

Hudson history tells us that Vermouth was first exported to New York in 1867. The Knickerbocker Hotel in New York City was the famed spot for bartender Martini di Arma di Taggia making him one of the most sought-after bartenders in the area. He son become famous for ushering in hundreds of martini explorers to try a taste of a new concoction, and many New Yorkers will tell you that this is where martini history started.

For those seasons when you don't get the chance to jet off to NY for your favorite view of the Hudson River, a Hudson River Martini may just fit the bill. It's a taste of New York that you might have overlooked after browsing that martini menu. The drink is a classic find at many martini lounges and cocktail bars, but only the well-trained bartender can make one with the perfect amount of vermouth and orange juice. Here's the recipe if you want to try your hand at a soon-to-be favorite:

Hudson River Martini Recipe

2 oz. Whiskey of choice
½ oz. Dry vermouth
½ oz. Orange juice

Combine ingredients in mixing glass. Add ice, shake and strain into a martini glass.

A classic martini is made with a combination of gin and vermouth, finished with a twist of lemon or an olive. Perfection in the martini-making process may be in the hands of an experienced few, but the drink is a world class cocktail that has made the martini lounge a popular hub across many cities. The evolution of the martini cocktail has run the gamut from gin and maraschino liquer combinations, to very sweet renditions similar to the modern-day Cosmopolitan. Adding sugar or salt to the rim of the glass can be a favorable addition for those lip-puckering liquors, while a drizzle of chocolate sauce finishes off the dessert-style numbers. Still, it's the simplicity and light orange flavor that brings the Hudson River Martini to life; your choice of whiskey is up to you, but Jack Daniel's continues to stay on the top picks list.