Drink of the Day: Grey Goose Martini

After St. Martin left the Roman Army and became a monk, the people of Tours chased after him asking him become their bishop.  He tried to run and hide from them, but he was betrayed by a flock of honking geese.    True or not, goose was the main course at medieval celebrations of St. Martin’s Day (Martinmas), and this tradition even influenced the American celebration of Thanksgiving.  The protestant Pilgrims were aware of the Martinmas goose from their stay in Holland, and they used North American turkeys for their banquets only when they could not find enough geese.

Cocktail of the Day

In honor of St. Martin, you should drink a Martini.   And in a nod to St. Martin’s association with geese, you should drink a martini made with Grey Goose Vodka.  Here is the Martlemas Martini:

2 oz. Grey Goose vodka

1 dash dry vermouth

1 lemon twist

Beer of the Day

The Cloak of St. Martin Ale from the Brunehaut Brewery in Belgium.

There are some ales named St. Martin’s Ale.

Wine of the Day

St. Martin is credited with creating the Chenin Blanc grape to the Touraine Region of France.

Any wine from the San Martino Winery of Rockwall in Texas which is named in honor of St. Martin.

Toast of the Day

In the Middle Ages, swine would be slaughtered on or before Martinmas in preparation for the winter.  This custom led to several proverbs which you could include in your toasts of the day:

In Spain:  “Every pig has its St. Martin’s Day.”

In England:  “His Martinmas will come as it does to every hog.”

Song of the Day

While drinking, listen to “Iste Confessor” which is dedicated to St. Martin:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCv7-v1gdUM

From Drinking With The Saints by Michael P. Foley