Love a gin martini but want to mix things up? Try Julia Child’s famous pre-dinner standby, the Upside-Down Martini, which reverses the standard ratio of gin to vermouth. It has all the elegance of the classic cocktail, but thanks to its lower alcohol content, you might be able to enjoy another.
Mix 2 oz. dry vermouth with 1 oz. gin. Stir in ice-filled shaker for 30 seconds. Strain into a chilled martini glass, and garnish as desired.
If you’re intrigued by the look of vintage glassware but don’t know where to start, just jump in. Antique shops and thrift stores offer endless options that blend beautifully with modern bar pieces. They are a wonderful way to incorporate crystal into your entertaining spread and elevate your dinner parties. The best part? When it comes to vintage glassware, there’s no right or wrong. All you have to do is choose what you love.
From The Rock House Antiques:
- Cambridge Rose Point cocktail goblet (1930s); set of 6, $114
- Old Dominion Diamond Optic wine glass (1930s); set of 5, $175
- Fostoria glass tray, $60
From We Took to the Woods:
- Vintage amber decanter, $88
- Vintage crystal decanter, $135
- Vintage ice tongs, $10
- Diamond-cut old fashioned tumbler; set of 6, $185 (contemporary)
The three-ounce cocktail goblets by Cambridge Rose Point crystal, hailing from the 1930s, may seem small, but they make an undeniable statement. Their size is part of the charm. Pull them out for a final course and rest assured you’ve found the perfect way to end a meal: Pour oloroso sherry, and present it beside a plate of blue cheese, figs, and honey. If sherry isn’t your thing, pair an amaro with dark chocolate treats.
Photograph by Paul Mehaffey
