The Shocker Martini- A Skewered Origin

Adam Horvath
Apr 30
4 min read

It was a particularly non-particular day in the quaint Catskills town of Woodstock. The sun beat down a bit harder than usual for an early April afternoon, but the occasional brisk breeze reminded everyone that winter wasn’t quite over. The Village Green was teeming with music-loving, long-haired freaky people readying themselves for a jam session and the usual cast of “protestors du jour” held up homemade signs and barked at passing cars. Meanwhile across the street a seemingly unremarkable couple walked into an equally unassuming hole-in-the-wall bar marked only by a wooden sign, Small Talk. Little did they know what waited inside would leave a lasting imprint.

Okay, maybe that was a bit dramatic, my wife and I were that couple. But while our experience may not have been life changing, it was something I'll never forget because it’s the day the Shocker Martini was born, and I was the first to drink it.

Let me back up for a sec to add some context. Since opening post-pandemic, Small Talk has been a neighborhood watering hole smack dab in the heart of Woodstock. It’s a comfortably tight space with an L-shaped counter, a dozen stools and a few intimate booths. Behind the bar, the speed rail reveals an eclectic collection of traditional and local spirits appropriately huddled, homemade tinctures and a bowl of partially peeled citrus revealing the casualties of war. I didn't even need to open the menu to know we were in for a good time. But when we did, the handwritten list of classics, and signature crafted house cocktails created by a trio of young mixologists Julian, Dan and the star of today's show, Harry Lang proved me right.

The Birth of a Cocktail

As I wholeheartedly believe fate intended, it was Harry Lang behind the bar that day. The young barkeep greeted us with a warmth that made us feel like regulars and proceeded to walk us through the sophisticated menu, guiding us toward what we were actually craving. Paying little mind to any of Harry's suggestions, I clumsily blurt out "do you have blue olives" something I'd become unfortunately accustomed to do. "Yes, we do, and anchovy stuffed as well", he said with an Arthur Fonzarelli confidence. Instincts kicked in and I asked, "have you ever made a martini with both?" Harry thought about it and answered "no, let's do it." And that is how the Shocker Martini was born. Okay not the name, that inspiration came a few minutes later.

It brought a tear to my eye; a traditional shaken martini recipe, 2.5oz Ford’s London Dry Gin, 1/2 oz vermouth. Harry could have simply served the 4 pierced olives on one pick and that probably would have been swell. But no, I'm convinced something otherworldly guided him to drop two intersecting skewers of stuffed olives into the glass. One look and I knew. Call it a sophomoric sense of humor, or one too many nights watching Cinemax after Dark as a kid, but I knew I was staring at the Shocker Martini. I traced the sticks around the pool of gin a lap or two then brought the chilled hooch up to my lips. The juniper notes of floral gin hit my nostrils before I took a sip, quickly followed by a funky, salty, fishy sip of ocean. I'm talking that good George Clinton melding kinda funk! That mile from the boardwalk brine! This was the greatest drink I ever had.

I know what you're thinking. I suggested the olives. I named the drink, this whole story is about Me, Me, Me! No, let's get this straight. No one remembers that Francesco del Giocondo commissioned the Mona Lisa. They remember Da Vinci, as they should. And this just might be the artist Harry Lang's Masterpiece. At best I might get a Wiki mention- a handsome man and his beautiful wife entered Small Talk, or a maybe a very handsome man...I don't know :)

Legends in the Making

Listen, I may have been a little over the top, sure. That's how I do. Was The Shocker Martini really the best drink I've ever had? Yes, it totally was but it's not even on the menu. But Harry will definitely make it for you if you ask. And you SHOULD ask. But the reality that trio of bartenders are all badass, and Small Talk has all the makes of another Milk & Honey. Instead of Sam Ross and Sasha Petraske inventing Paper Planes and Penicillin, you have the hermit alchemist Julian creating Spring Ephemeral, a primavera mix of Gentian Liqueur, NY Vermouth & Black Lemon Bitters and Daniel's aptly named Village Green, a drink so herbaceous and fresh, you'll want to eat a grilled skirt steak. Trust me, once you taste it, that will make more sense. And if sharp, briny gin isn't your thing, Harry's official signature cocktail the Amethyst is sure to hit the spot.

Woodstock has many terrific restaurants, bars and outdoor activities and while the Woodstock Concert happened in Bethel New York, nearly 60 miles away, there are some nice live music happening most weekends and a live Drum Circle in the Village Green that's very cool. It's a must visit, and currently the only place to get the Shocker!