#bazilmixesitup episode 2: The Battle for Athens, a Martini variation.

Γεια μας Steemit! Welcome to #bazilmixesitup episode two. For those of you just tuning in, this is where I will share everything booze and cocktail related!

So I'm in New Orleans right now for Tales of the Cocktail, one of the biggest spirits industry and bartender conventions in the world. You can learn more about it here: https://talesofthecocktail.com/

Every year Tales of the Cocktail picks a classic cocktail to showcase, and this year that cocktail is the martini. So in honor of that, I have created a fun martini variation for you. And as a bonus we're going to throw in a little Greek mythology!

Having recently moved to Athens, I'm fairly in love with all things Greek. So naturally when the idea of coming up with a martini variation came to me I looked to my new country for inspiration! I really didn't have to look very far, the olive is a beloved part of both the martini and Greek culture, so that's where I started.

In Greek mythology the first king (Cecrops) of the area which is now called Athens wanted to pick a patron deity for the city. The goddess Athena and the god Poseidon both vied for the patronage. They presented themselves in front of Cecrops and he asked them to offer a gift of great value to the city.

Poseidon went first and struck his trident to the ground producing a spring of water. But the water turned out to be salt water, because he was a sea god, and therefore not very helpful to the population of a city.

Athena then struck her spear into the ground and an olive tree began to grow. She proclaimed it to be a symbol of peace and prosperity on earth and was named the victor. The city was named Athens in her honor.

And with that I bring you my cocktail, the Battle for Athens:

1.5oz lemon thyme infused Beefeater gin (or another london dry gin)

0.75oz dolin dry vermouth

1 barspoon mastiha liqueur (a Greek liqueur flavored with the sap from mastic trees)

Green Greek (amfissa) olive and lemon peel for garnish.

Stir all ingredients over ice in a mixing glass and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Garnish with expressed lemon peel and green greek olive.

Cheers! Or as we say in Greece: γεια μας! (pronounced ya-mas)
Tell me how you like to drink your martini's in the comments!

Check out the tag #bazilmixesitup for more cocktail related content! And if you like what you see please upvote, follow, and resteem!