Monday, September 4, 2023

Oppenheimer Martini

Given that Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer is the new cinematic rage (after Barbie, at least), people's interest in the historical scientist is at its peak. Fewer people know that J. Robert Oppenheimer isn't just the father of the atomic bomb, Oppenheimer is also the father of a very particular dry martini (it was briefly shown in the film).


When working on the Manhattan Project (the atomic bomb project, not the cocktail), Oppenheimer, who was nearly six feet tall, dropped to a paltry 120 pounds under stress. Those who knew him said he lived on coffee, cigarettes, and very strong martinis at the time. Lucky for us, we have the recipe for that martini.