The Martini: A Martinez Original?

The Martini.

Generally associated with the Roaring Twenties, at a time when imbibing was taboo…and illegal. Thoughts of speakeasies, New York mobsters, jazz, the Charleston…and, of course, that conical cocktail glass. An icon in its own right. But what most people don’t know is that the story of the Martini goes much further back than the 1920s; and much further west than New York. In fact, Martinez has long claimed its place in cocktail history as the birthplace of the Martini.

The Martinez Special

According to the City of Martinez, the story dates back to 1874, when a miner walked into Julio Richelieu’s saloon in Martinez and asked the bartender for something special.

Richelieu served him what became known as the “Martinez Special.” The historical marker that now stands at the site tells the story a little more colorfully. After three or four drinks, the miner reportedly decided the drink would “get very much in the way.”

The recipe described on the marker consisted of two-thirds gin, one-third vermouth, and a dash of orange bitters, poured over crushed ice and served with an olive. Apparently Richelieu knew when his customer had reached his limit. According to the marker, the bartender told him: One is alright, two is too many, and three is not enough. Words to remember.

The miner eventually continued on to San Francisco, and according to the Martinez origin story, took word of the drink with him. The rest, as they say, is history. Or perhaps cocktail legend.

The exact origin of the Martini has been debated over the years, and Martinez isn’t the only place with a claim to its creation. Another claim suggests it evolved from a cocktail called the Martinez, mixed by "Professor" Jerry Thomas at the Occidental Hotel in San Francisco in 1867. But our city’s connection to the cocktail has endured for more than a century.

Over time, the drink evolved, as did its variations. The Appletini. Peach Martini. Chocolate Martini. My personal favorite: the Espresso Martini.

Martinez Celebrates Its Cocktail

Today, Martinez celebrates that bit of cocktail history with the annual Martini Shake-Off.

The event brings the glitz and glamour with dinner, dancing and, of course, the Shake-Off competition. The best part? The Martini tastings. Local mixologists compete for Best Martini and the People’s Choice Award, serving up their own creative cocktails for guests to taste and enjoy.

The Martini Shake-Off returns September 12, 2026. Tickets are available online and the event is expected to sell out. The ticket window closes September 1, so don’t wait too long.

So raise a glass to a little bit of Martinez cocktail history.

If you’re wondering what I’ll be drinking? I’ll take the Espresso Martini.

Cheers! 🍸

Sources:City of Martinez, The Martini Story — cityofmartinez.org

Martini Shake-Off 2026 event information and tickets — Eventbrite

Historical marker photographed by Downtown Martinez Live.