PORNSTAR MARTINI – THE STORY
Douglas Ankrah, a charismatic bartender with a twinkle in his eye, wasn’t one for the mundane. In 1999, while working at his bar, Townhouse, in London, he craved a cocktail that captured the zeitgeist – something bold, playful, and bursting with flavor. Inspiration struck on a sunny day, not at the bar, but on his walk to work. He passed a now-defunct gentlemen’s club called “Mavericks,” the name sparking a playful idea.
Back at the bar, Ankrah experimented. He combined the tropical tang of passion fruit, a then-trendy ingredient, with the smooth vanilla of vodka and a touch of zesty lime. A splash of sugar for sweetness and a topper of bubbly Prosecco added a touch of elegance. The resulting concoction was a vibrant orange masterpiece, a far cry from the traditional martinis.
But what to call it? “Maverick Martini” didn’t quite have the oomph Ankrah envisioned. He wanted a name that reflected the drink’s boldness and vibrancy. He tossed around ideas, searching for something that captured the essence of the cocktail.
Then, it hit him. “Pornstar Martini.” It was provocative, sure, but it also evoked a sense of indulgence, a break from the ordinary. He envisioned a confident person enjoying this vibrant drink, much like a star on the silver screen. Ankrah has clarified that the name wasn’t meant to be a literal reference, but rather a playful wink at the drink’s personality.
The name, of course, caused a stir. Some found it crass, while others admired its audacity. Regardless, the Pornstar Martini, with its perfect balance of sweet, tart, and bubbly, became a runaway success. It captured the spirit of the early 2000s – a time of experimentation and pushing boundaries.
Today, the Pornstar Martini remains a popular choice, a testament to Ankrah’s creativity and his ability to craft a drink that was as much about fun as it was about flavor. So, next time you raise a glass of this vibrant cocktail, remember the story behind it – a story of a sunny day, a playful bartender, and a name that dared to be different.