Yes, my friends the Martini has transformed over the many years and every once and a while I happen upon an old cocktail book that contains a different or interesting variation. Here is a recipe for a Martini from a cocktail booklet from 1934 (I have taken the liberty to put the measurements in modern terms):
2.5 oz. Gin
1.5 oz. Italian Vermouth
Two Dashes of Orange Bitters
Stir, strain, squeeze lemon peel on top.
What makes this Martini unique is the substitution of the angostura bitters for orange, as well as the lemon peel. The taste of this cocktail is certinly unique. The orange bitters is a welcome taste and actually works with the gin to balance out the vermouth, which in this recipe is quite heavy. In all reality, the vermouth was over-bearing but the large amount in a Martini is not uncommon in this era. I have seen earlier Martini's to be made exactly half gin and half vermouth, distgusting in my humble opinion and a waste of fine Gin.
The half gin, half vermouth drink in this particular book was named the Lone Tree Cocktail (no bitters), indeed.
Try one, if you have problems finding the bitters you can purchase them online. I found come at a specialty liquor store in BKLYN.
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