Martinez
A silky gin cocktail with sweet vermouth and a hint of marzipan and cherry from maraschino.
Ingredients
- Gin45 ml
- Maraschino liqueur7.5 ml
- Sweet vermouth45 ml
- Orange bitters2 dashes
- Lemon, to garnish (optional)1 twist
Method
- Fill a mixing glass with plenty of ice.
- Add the gin, maraschino liqueur, sweet vermouth and orange bitters.
- Stir calmly for 20–30 seconds, until the mixture is ice-cold and silky.
- Strain into a chilled coupe.
- Twist a piece of lemon peel over the drink to release its aromatic oils, and drop it into the glass to garnish.
About this drink
Many regard the Martinez as the Martini's ancestor, a drink that bridges the Manhattan's spiced sweetness and the Martini's dry elegance. Its history is disputed, but the name appears in American bartending books from the late nineteenth century and is often linked to the town of Martinez in California. Over time the ratio of gin to vermouth was tightened, and the drink gradually evolved into the Martini we know today.
Questions and answers
Is the Martinez the ancestor of the Martini?
It is a widely held theory. They share a name and a structure, but the Martinez is sweeter and more complex with its maraschino and sweet vermouth, while the Martini has become drier and cleaner over the years.
Can you replace the maraschino liqueur in a Martinez?
Not without losing the drink's signature almond-cherry note. It is relatively inexpensive and keeps for ever in the cupboard, so it is worth buying a bottle rather than skipping it.
