Relish in this top-notch martini recipe! Featuring Gin, dry & sweet vermouth, a dash of orange bitters and a zesty lemon twist, it's the ideal cocktail to warm up your winter.
Prep time:
1 minute
Mixing time:
1 minute
Servings:
1
Calories:
197
Ingredients
- 1½ oz London Dry Gin
- 1 oz Dry Vermouth
- 1 oz Sweet Vermouth
- 1 dash of Orange bitters
- Orange zest twist - for garnish, optional
Equipment
- Martini Glass
- Measuring Jigger
- Mixing Glass
- Cocktail Strainer
- Stirrer or Bar Spoon
Instructions
- Prep Glass: Fill your Martini glass with ice. Set it aside.
- Add Bitters: Pour 1 dash of Orange bitters into the mixing glass.
- Add Vermouth: Measure and pour 1 oz Sweet Vermouth and 1 oz Dry Vermouth into the mixing glass.
- Add Gin: Add 1½ oz London Dry Gin.
- Add Ice and Stir: Fill the mixing glass with ice. Using a bar spoon or a long stirrer, stir well (for about 15-20 seconds). Give it a taste and stir a bit more if you feel like more dilution is necessary.
- Strain: Take your Martini glass or cocktail coupe and discard the ice. Using the cocktail strainer, strain the mixture into the chilled glass.
- Garnish: Garnish with an orange twist (express the orange zest on top of the drink and then place it on the rim of the glass or drop it directly inside).
Notes
Substitutes:
- Gin: If you're out of Gin, vodka is a great alternative to give you a Vodka Martini. Try using Aquavit for a different flavor profile; it's caraway and botanical notes can create an exciting twist.
- Dry Vermouth: Noilly Prat or Dolin are excellent substitutes for dry vermouth. If you're in a real pinch, white wine can be used, but it will alter the taste significantly.
- Orange bitters: Lemon bitters or grapefruit bitters would also work well in this cocktail.
- Sweet vermouth: Sherry or Port wine could be an interesting alternative.
Making a Pitcher of Perfect Martini:
- Scale: To make a pitcher serving 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 12 oz of Gin, 8 oz of sweet and dry vermouth, and 4 dashes of orange bitters.
- Mix: Combine the ingredients in a large pitcher with ice. Stir well.
- Serve: Strain the mixture into chilled Martini glasses, garnish with an orange zest, and serve immediately.
Making it Non-Alcoholic:
- Gin Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic gin substitute; several on the market do an excellent job mimicking the botanicals in Gin.
- Vermouth Substitute: Opt for non-alcoholic vermouth substitute or make a simple syrup infused with herbs and a touch of lemon juice.
- Proceed As Usual: Use these non-alcoholic substitutes instead of the regular ingredients, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.
Making it Vegan:
- Alcohol: Most Gin and vermouth are naturally vegan, but it's always worth checking as some brands may use animal products in their production process. There are plenty of vegan-friendly options available.
What is a Perfect Martini?
A Perfect Martini is a gin-based cocktail made with sweet, dry vermouth, Gin and bitters. It’s relatively easy to make as it only requires the ability to measure ingredients accurately and stir them together. However, achieving the perfect balance of flavors can be challenging for those new to mixology. The Perfect Martini is a variant of the classic Martini, which traditionally uses dry vermouth. An interesting fact about this drink is that its name derives from the “perfect” balance between sweet and dry vermouth used in its preparation.
What is a Perfect Martini made of – The ingredients
For a Perfect Martini, make sure to have these ingredients on hand:
- Gin: The primary spirit in a Perfect Martini, Gin provides the robust, botanical flavor that defines the cocktail.
- Dry Vermouth: This fortified wine adds a layer of complexity and dryness to balance out the Gin’s strong character.
- Sweet Vermouth: Used in equal parts with dry vermouth in a Perfect Martini, sweet vermouth brings a touch of sweetness and depth to the drink.
- Orange Bitters: A few dashes of orange bitters enhance the citrus notes in the Gin and add an extra dimension to the cocktail.
- Orange zest: It adds a hint of citrus freshness, to the cocktail’s flavors.
