Culture | World in a dish

How the martini became the world’s most iconic cocktail

It has a glamorous history and can be endlessly personalised

Vesper martini at Duke's Bar, London
Photograph: Susannah Fields

AT DUKES BAR in London there is a limit of two martinis per person. Enrico Chiappini, one of the bartenders, says that in his 16 years he has made almost no exceptions. That is because the bar’s martinis, made with chilled gin or vodka and vermouth, are famously dangerous: each contains 120ml of booze. Two hold ten shots.

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This article appeared in the Culture section of the print edition under the headline “Glamour shots”

From the September 21st 2024 edition

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