Martinez

The Martinez is a classic cocktail made with gin, sweet vermouth, maraschino liqueur, and bitters. It is believed to be the predecessor to the modern-day Martini.

Martinez recipe

• 45 ml London Dry Gin
• 45 ml Sweet Red Vermouth
• 1 Bar Spoon Maraschino Liqueur
• 2 Dashes Orange Bitters

Stirred over ice, strained into a chilled glass, garnished, and served up.

Directions for how to make the Martinez

1. Fill a mixing glass with ice
2. Add gin, sweet red vermouth, and maraschino liqueur into the mixing glass
3. Add 2 dashes of orange bitters
4. Stir the mixture for 30 seconds until well chilled
5. Strain the mixture into a chilled cocktail glass.
6. Garnish the drink, usually with a lemon twist or brandied cherry.
7. Serve the Martinez cocktail chilled.

Tips for how to make the perfect Martinez

• Use a high-quality gin and sweet vermouth as the base of the drink.
• Stir the ingredients with ice for at least 30 seconds to properly dilute and chill the cocktail.
• Add a splash of Maraschino liqueur for a subtle, yet complex flavor.
• Garnish with a twist of lemon or orange peel for a citrusy aroma.

Alcohol-free alternative to the Martinez

An alcohol-free alternative to the Martinez could be a “Berry Spice” mocktail.

To make this mocktail, muddle fresh raspberries, blackberries, and cinnamon in a shaker. Add in a splash of ginger syrup and fresh lemon juice to give the mixtures some tanginess. Then, shake everything with ice and strain it into a glass. Top it off with a splash of sparkling water and garnish it with a sprig of rosemary or mint.

This mocktail has a blend of sweet tartness with a spicy finish, giving you a unique flavor similar to the Martinez. Plus, it’s perfect for those looking for a sophisticated non-alcoholic beverage to enjoy all evening.

Martinez fun facts

1. The Martinez cocktail is considered by many to be the predecessor to the classic gin-based cocktail, the Martini.

2. Some versions of the Martinez call for the use of Old Tom gin, a sweeter style of gin that was popular in the 1800s.

3. The origins of the Martinez cocktail are somewhat unclear, but it is believed to have been first made in the late 1800s in San Francisco.

4. The Martinez was originally made with sweet vermouth, maraschino liqueur, gin and orange bitters.

5. The proportions of the ingredients in a Martinez can vary depending on the recipe, with some enthusiasts calling for a greater emphasis on the sweet vermouth and others opting for a more gin-forward version.