Nick and Nora Charles (Myrna Loy & William Powell) – 1934
Nick and Nora Charles. The epitome of class, sophistication, and cocktail aficionados.
Their famous The Thin Man films, based on the novel by Dashiell Hammett, feature the titular couple solving crimes in between festive parties and witty dialogue. Even their dog, Asta, has his own sassy moments.
While reading a recent article online about different cocktail glasses, I was amused to find out there is a cocktail glass named for the them: The “Nick & Nora“. Named by bartender Dale DeGroff of the Rainbow Room in 1987 when he was in search of something better to use than the traditional martini glass. He had focused his mixology skills on pre-Prohibition cocktails, and wanted a glass similar to one of those used in “The Thin Man”. Using a design from a 1930s catalog from Minners Designs, new molds were made and the Nick and Nora glass was born.
One of my Nick and Nora glasses featuring a martini
Nick and Nora Dry Martini
- 1 1/2 ounces gin
- 1/2 ounce dry vermouth
- Garnish: Spanish olive (no pimento) (I also love to use blue cheese stuffed olives)
Add the gin and vermouth to a mixing glass with ice and stir until well-chilled. Strain into a chilled Nick & Nora glass. Garnish with a small Spanish olive without pimento filling.
