During our recent 9 Night Southern Caribbean Cruise on the Disney Fantasy, we participated in the Martini Tasting. The class is a chance to learn about the history of Martinis, including how they are made, and gives participants a chance to try five different types. The class costs $25 per person (the price has since gone up) and the amount is charged to your room. It is important to note that if you would like to do one of these tastings, you should sign up when you check in to your cruise or right away when you board the ship on the first day.
Our tasting was in the Outlook Lounge on Deck 14.
When we arrived, our drinks were all ready for us. I’ll try to pass along the information we were told in the class with the caveat that I didn’t get a chance to record all the information and know nothing about Martinis. The class started with the instructor giving a history of the Martini and the various ways it has been made over the years. The Martini was thought to be developed in the 1860s. He also talked about the history of the glass, including it being very thin so it could be smashed before the police discovered it during the age of prohibition. He also discussed some of the terminology used about Martinis. A “dry” martini is one with no vermouth. A “dirty” martini has olive juice in it. “Dirty and filthy” means it has crushed olives in the drink. A “Gibson” is a martini with a pickled onion instead of an olive.
Martinis for Tasting
The first martini we were served was the original standard martini with Beefeater gin.
The second martini was a Sunshine martini, which was a vodka martini with peach schnapps, guava, passion fruit juice, and some champagne.
Our third drink was the cosmopolitan classic, a vodka martini with lime and cranberry juice.
The fourth drink was a Chambord Mojito martini, which is a rum martini with lime juice, mint and Chambord liquor.
Our last martini was a Chocolate martini, which was gin, Godiva Chocolate Liquor, Bailey’s, and Hazelnut Liquor.
Overall, we loved this class. I didn’t finish all my drinks, mainly because I wanted to be awake and aware for dinner. That hasn’t always been the case with our past Mixology classes!
If you have enjoyed this article, please be sure to check out our Disney Cruise Line information page, which has useful hints in addition to our cruise trip reports!
