Martinez
Gin, sweet vermouth, maraschino and bitters. The rich, old-fashioned ancestor of the martini.
- Time
- 4 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Glass
- Coupe
- Strength
- 2.4 UK units
How to make a Martinez
- Chill the glass. Fill a coupe with ice and water and leave it while you stir.
- Build in a mixing glass. Add the gin, vermouth, maraschino and bitters. Fill the glass with ice.
- Stir until cold. Stir for about 30 seconds. The glass should be frosted on the outside and the drink should look clear and amber.
- Strain and finish. Tip the ice water out of the coupe and strain the drink in. Squeeze an orange peel over the top, skin side down, then drop it in.
- Glass
- CoupeNo coupe? A martini glass or a small wine glass.
- Ice
- No ice
- Garnish
- Orange twistOr: A cocktail cherry.
What you need to make a Martinez
Kit
JiggerA double-ended measure, usually 25 ml and 50 ml.
Mixing glassAny sturdy jug or pint glass works.
Bar spoonA long teaspoon does the job.
StrainerA Hawthorne strainer fits over the tin or glass.
Vegetable peelerFor wide strips of peel with little pith.
Bottles we'd use
- Old Tom ginHayman's Old Tom is widely available and has the gentle sweetness the recipe wants.Find it on Amazon
- Sweet vermouthCocchi Vermouth di Torino is rich and spiced; Martini Rosso is lighter.Find it on Amazon
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The Martinez story
It is often called the forerunner of the Martini, and it appears in bartenders' guides from the 1880s. Where it was born is disputed: one story points to Martinez, California, another to a bar in New York. Neither claim has been proven.
Old Tom gin, which is slightly sweeter than London dry, was the original choice, and it still gives the best result. If you only have London dry, add an extra barspoon of maraschino. It sits somewhere between a Manhattan and a martini, and it is warm and rich rather than crisp.
Martinez: your questions answered
What is in a Martinez?
A Martinez is made with 50 ml Old Tom gin, 25 ml sweet vermouth, maraschino liqueur and 2 dashes of orange bitters. Garnish: orange twist.
Is a Martinez shaken or stirred?
A Martinez is stirred, not shaken. Stirring with ice chills and dilutes it while keeping the drink clear and smooth. Shaking would cloud it and add tiny air bubbles, which suits citrus drinks but not this one.
How strong is a Martinez?
Made to this recipe, a Martinez contains about 2.4 UK units of alcohol per drink. That is worked out from typical bottle strengths, so it changes with the bottles you use. UK guidelines advise not regularly drinking more than 14 units a week.
What glass do you serve a Martinez in?
Serve a Martinez in a coupe. No coupe? A martini glass or a small wine glass.
