The Martini

The martini has always been a classic and popular drink. Its origin is not exact, but it mainly goes back to 1862 in Martinez, California. Julio Richelieu's saloon in Martinez mixed a small drink for miners. Julio placed an olive in the glass before handing it to the men. It's first publication in a recipe book called it the Martinez after the town and was made up of 4 parts red, sweet Vermouth to 1 part Gin, garnished with a cherry. The drink was later changed to a white, dry vermouth creating the dry Martini.

In 1988, the word Martini was first mentioned. Martini appeared in the New and Improved Illustrated Bartending Manuel. The drink has changed numerous times and the perfect martini is still searched for today. The classic cocktail has a special distinction and fame in society today. The demand for dry martinis soared as the world entered the Great War, while the martini became known as a Gin and It or Gin and French in Great Britian. The martini is one of the most talked about and referenced cocktail of all times. When I'm out, a martini is usually not my drink of choice, but when I do order one, I like mine shaken, not stirred!!!

Reference

Martini Art. (2000). Martini History. Retrieved November 15, 2009 from http://wwww.martiniart.com/history ofthemartini.aspex.

Pop Culture

Micheal Jackson, Andy Warhol, Lebron James, and Barbie dolls are all a definition of pop culture. According to Wikepedia, pop culture is the totality of ideas, perspectives, attitudes, images and other phenomena that are deemed preferred per an informal consensus within the mainstream of a given culture. Pop culture to me, is constantly changing and is classified by different classes, gender, professions, etc. Pop culture can come in raw forms like folk culture or elite, high culture forms. It is mainly based on the thoughts and decisions of everyone at some point and time.

My artifact is the Barbie doll, although classified as superficial, Barbie is loved by many. The doll debuted in 1959 and is still one of the most sot-after toy for girls today. Barbie has always caused controversy and made numerous changes throughout the years. She is an idea of the female representation and has been every profession under the sun and over 40 different nationalities.