21 June

Whether, like James Bond, you prefer your martini shaken not stirred, or not, as today is Martini Day, you now have the perfect excuse to enjoy one.

Our recommended recipe is a synthesis of two executions: the Gibson, with two cocktail onions, and the classic Dry Martini, with gin and olives. On such an auspicious day, we suggest combining both and enjoying a Gin Salad Dry Martini, with both olives and onion.

Then, sit down and ponder just how complicated the simplest of cocktails has become. There are thousands of different options to choose from and some very passionate arguments between what's right and what's wrong.

Basically, there are five key variables to a dry martini, they are:
1. Base: gin or vodka
2. Method: shake, stir, or direct/naked
3. Ratio: choose between 10 common martini ratios
4. Seasoning: optional dashes of orange bitters, brine, sherry etc.
5. Garnish: olive, lemon zest twist, onion, caperberry etc.

I explore each of these five variables in How To Make A Dry Martini. Or you may prefer Dick Bradell's take on the Dry Martini.

Talk about the Dry Martini inevitably leads to The Story Behind Bond's Vesper Martini but perhaps start back at the beginning with the Martini Cocktail And Its Evolution

Greenland National Day

Also known as Ullortuneq, meaning "the longest day", Greenlanders chose today as their national day precisely because it is, or close to, the longest and lightest day of the year.

As part of the celebrations, the country is decked out with the Greenlandic flag, which comprises a red semicircle, representing the midnight sun, set on a white background for the ice. Islanders dress in their brightly coloured traditional beaded costumes and celebrate with singing, folk dances, kayaking and Greenlandic food parties.

As night and day are pretty much the same thing in Greenland on this date, we think it's only appropriate to raise a champagne-topped Night & Day.

Now that's out the way perhaps move onto a couple of although, the still apt, cocktails: a refreshing Green Swizzle and then, towards the end of the evening, a Greenpoint.