There is no definitive story on the creation of the martini, but folklore suggests the drink was first mixed during the California Gold Rush.

During the great Gold Rush In 1849, a lucky miner struck it rich and was returning to his home in San Francisco. The miner, passing through Martinez, California, wanted to celebrate his new found wealth. He walked into a bar and asked for champagne, that day there was no champagne available. However, the bartender, seeing this exciting occasion, told the miner that he had something much better than champagne, he offered to serve a drink which he said was called a 'Martinez Special'. The miner liked the drink so much that he ordered for the entire house. Over a period of years, the name Martinez became martini.