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Fact check: What’s the origin of a mocktail flavour and its name “Pornstar Martini”?
1. Summary of the results
The Pornstar Martini was created by London mixologist Douglas Ankrah in 2002 at his Townhouse bar in London [1] [1]. The inspiration for the cocktail came during a 1999 visit to Cape Town, South Africa [2]. It was originally named the "Maverick Martini" after a gentleman's club in Cape Town, before being renamed to "Pornstar Martini" upon Ankrah's return to London [3]. The cocktail consists of vanilla vodka, Passoã, passion fruit juice, lime juice, and is traditionally served with a chilled champagne shot [1].
2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints
Several important contextual elements were missing from the original question:
- Cultural Impact: By 2018, the Pornstar Martini had become the UK's favorite cocktail, spreading to international cities like New York, Sydney, and Dubai [4].
- Naming Controversy: In 2019, Marks & Spencer renamed their version to "Passion Star Martini" following complaints about the original name [1].
- Creator's Intent: While some might assume the name was chosen to be provocative, Ankrah maintained that it was meant to evoke a "stylish and confident" drink [1] and was chosen because he thought it was something a "pornstar would drink" [3].
- Historical Context: The drink combined three flavors that were particularly popular at the time of its creation: vodka, Prosecco, and passion fruit [4].
3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement
The original question assumes there might be a single, straightforward origin story, when in fact there are several interpretations:
- Multiple Timeline Versions: Some sources cite 1999 as the creation date [4], while others specify 2002 [1] [1], suggesting the earlier date might refer to the initial inspiration rather than the final creation.
- Alternative Name Theories: Beyond Ankrah's official explanation, there are alternative theories about the cocktail's name relating to the allure of adult film stars or the way the drink is consumed [5].
- Commercial Interests: The drink's provocative name has proven both an asset and liability for businesses, as evidenced by Marks & Spencer's decision to rename their version [1], showing how commercial interests can influence how the drink's history is presented.