The Birth of Martini Fridays

jeffholson
May 7
3 min read

Updated: May 8

Not long after Julie and I traded the coastlines of Huntington Beach for the quiet rhythm of Oregon, something important found its way into our lives—almost by accident.

We reconnected with our close friends, Todd and Stacey Mickey, up in West Linn Oregon. Like most good traditions, this one didn’t start with much planning. Todd had picked up a phrase somewhere “Martini Friday” and gave it a home.

And just like that, it stuck.

At the time, we were all regulars of the Food Network, and Todd took particular interest in Alton Brown’s approach to a proper dry martini. But as these things tend to go, the recipe didn’t stay untouched for long. Over time, it was refined, some might say perfected into what became known in our circle as the Todd Martini.

It was simple in principle, but generous in it's execution: a proper pour, served to the rim, always cold, always amazing. And always preceded by a lot of hydration - experience taught us that much early on.

What started as a couple of Fridays a month turned into something more. A ritual. A standing appointment with our best friends.

Martini Fridays became less about the drink and more about the time it created. It was where we caught up on life, celebrated the wins, worked through the tougher chapters, and made plans that felt bigger with a cold glass in hand. Over the years, family and friends became part of the ritual, each adding their own layer to the tradition. The moments stack up now—too many to count, and better that way.

Like any long-standing ritual, our tastes evolved. The original vodka martini with 3 olives gave way to gin (except for Todd-vodka will always be his go to) Somewhere along the line, the Vesper made its entrance thanks to a little inspiration from James Bond. Even our side preferences shifted, Todd and I started with Scotch and eventually found our way to bourbon.

Highlights from Martini Fridays

The moments that made the ritual what it is.

There are the drinks and then there are the stories that stay with us.

One that still stands above the rest is the now legendary Banana Roll Challenge between our daughter Sarah and our son-in-law Ryan. It started simply enough and turned into one of those moments that takes on a life of its own. The kind where laughter builds and before long you’re laughing harder than you have in years. That one gets brought up often when we're all together.

THE NEXT GENERATION

What we didn’t expect was that our extended family and other friends started their own version of Martini Fridays. Somthing else was happend during those first years. It was the quiet example Martini Fridays set for our kids. They didn’t disappear into another room or drift off into their own worlds. They were present. Part of it. Watching, listening, and learning. Not only through the conversations, but through example.

They saw that a cocktail could be part of something balanced. That good conversation, connection, friendship, love and laughter always came first. That enjoying a drink didn’t mean overdoing it. And that may be one of the things we’re most proud of.

STILL FRIDAY, NO MATTER THE ZIP CODE

Time has a way of moving people around. These days, we’re no longer all in the same city. But Martini Friday hasn’t gone anywhere. We’ve adapted. Sometimes we do FaceTime Martini Friday. Many of us always post a picture of our Martini no matter where we are in the world. It’s always the same, that first sip—and just like that, we’re back at the Mickey's or the Holson's house in Oregon.

The setting may change, but the rhythm doesn’t. Because in the end, it was never just about the Martini. It was about conecting with the people we love!

HEAR ARE THE TWO MARTINI RECIPES SERVED ON MARTINI FRIDAY

The Todd Martini

The house standard. Cold and clean

Ingredients:

3 oz’s Vodka

Ice Rinse - 1 oz Blanco Vermouth

Glassware: Frozen Martini glass

Garnish: 3 Large Olives

Instructions:

Add 1 oz of Vermouth to your shaker and shake for 15 seconds then drain. Add Vodka to the Vermouth coated ice and shake for 20-30 seconds until you create ice crystals when draining into your martini glass.

Garnish with 3 olives

The Todd Touch: