Ingredients
- 50ml gin (or more if you dare)
- Either 25ml Dry Vermouth, a splash or just a drop to rinse the ice
- An olive or a twist of lemon zest to garnish
About
Traditionally the Gin Martini is made at a ratio of 2:1 in favour of gin. But this cocktail comes down to personal preference, so we’d suggest making several in different ways to find the one you prefer. Winston Churchill, for instance, had his with not vermouth at all.
There are three main types of Martini you need to consider before working out how you prefer yours:
A Dry Martini is the standard way to drink it, but light on the vermouth
A Dirty Martini has a splash of olive brine and is garnished with an olive
The Perfect Martini has equal amounts of vermouth and gin
As with many classic cocktails, the origins of the drink are unknown, but it is believed the name stems from the herb wine Martini, which was invented in 1863.
One of the more common theories is the drink was called the Martinez, coined in the 1860s. Legend has it that drinkers in the Occidental Hotel, San Fransisco, would quench their thirst in the bar before taking a ferry to the town of Martinez. Of course, residents of the town say one of their bartenders invented the drink.
In prohibition America, the cocktail became its most popular due to the ease of making illicit gin.
Meanwhile, back in the UK, with the proliferation of gin brands, not only do you have to find out how you like to drink yours, but you also need to find a preferred gin.
That’s all of our fun facts about Gin Martinis for now, but we hope you’ve been inspired to discover how you would like to have yours.
Method
Add the vermouth to a mixing glass filled with ice
You can give it a little stir and tip the vermouth out if you want a dry Martini
Add the gin
Stir for at least 30 seconds until the gin is chilled and diluted
