EPISODE 12
THE MARTINI FILES
In this episode of Intoxicating History, we get up close and personal with everything Martini as we chat with our brilliant guest, author, FT Columnist and Martini Queen, Alice Lascelles. Tom Parker Bowles and Henry Jeffreys dive into the quirky history of the martini—from its early days as a medicinal elixir with a dash of ginger, to the iconic cocktail that inspired Hemingway and Dorothy Parker’s legendary wit - or not.
There are personal martini ‘mishaps’, like Tom’s first three-martini lunch at Kensington Place. And we reveal fun secrets like why freezing your glass is the ultimate hack while reminiscing about the “Flame of Love” cocktail that Frank Sinatra adored.
As ever we are pouring a liberal measure of historical tidbits, personal anecdotes, and useless information essential to understanding the art and joy of a perfectly crafted martini.
As featured on Intoxicating History:
It’s been nearly 150 years since someone first had the genius idea to mix gin and dry vermouth—and somehow, the Martini just keeps getting cooler. But what is it about this seemingly simple drink that gives it such staying power? And can you really achieve perfection with a cocktail that’s as personal as how you take your tea?
In The Martini, award-winning drinks writer, Financial Times columnist, and cocktail connoisseur Alice Lascelles takes us on a sparkling deep-dive into one of her all-time favourite drinks. This is the Martini as you’ve never seen it before: glamorous, complex, ever-evolving—and just a little bit mischievous.
Across 60 recipes, Alice traces the drink’s journey from smoky 1880s New York saloons to the sleekest bars of the 21st century. There’s something for everyone here—vintage gems like the Flame of Love and the Tuxedo, playful modern takes like the Lychee and Espresso Martini, and all the timeless classics: the Dry, the Vesper, the Gibson.
She’ll also take you around the world in search of the ultimate Martini—from Tokyo speakeasies to Brooklyn dive bars to the poshest hotels in St James’s—peppering her discoveries with juicy historical nuggets, pro tips, and the kind of insider know-how you never knew you needed (like why your freezer is your best friend, or what olive oil is doing in a Martini).
Whether you’re a die-hard Martini purist or just starting to flirt with the idea of gin and vermouth, this book will help you find your perfect version—and elevate it with a few tricks of the trade.
With gorgeous photography and that unmistakable Alice Lascelles sparkle, The Martini isn’t just a cocktail book. It’s a love letter to a legend.
SOURCES
FEATURED DRINKS
There’s something deeply satisfying about making a Martini at home. It’s a ritual—quiet, precise, and elegant. Start with the essentials: a quality gin or vodka (this is not the moment to skimp), a dash of dry vermouth, and, most crucially, a glass that’s been chilling in the freezer. The clink of ice, the slow stir, the frosted stem—it all adds to the pleasure.
Whether you like it bone dry, dirty, or with a twist, crafting your own Martini means you can make it exactly how you like it. Alice Lascelles does love a Beefeater Gin and made her version of a Martini using Colombo Gin…but there are so many more ways to enjoy a Martini.
And thanks to our friends at Master of Malt, it’s never been easier to stock your home bar with everything you need—from top-shelf spirits to premium vermouths and the all-important barware. So go on, channel your inner mixologist, pour yourself a little history, and discover why this cocktail has remained iconic for over a century. Here's to Martini Hour—your way.