Considered by some to be the pinnacle of sophistication, this elegant drink harks back to a very different world, one filled with big band jazz, flapper dancers and ludicrously long cigarette holders. The drink itself is served in an angular glass that betrays its Art Deco origins, and is favoured by a certain lecherous secret agent. But enough of that, let’s learn how to mix the ultimate martini!
The Ultimate Martini
Equipment
- 1 Small Pointy Stick
Ingredients
- 75 ml Gin
- 10 ml White Vermouth
- 1 Green Olive
- 3 Big Cubes Ice
Instructions
- At least 10 minutes before mixing take the Martini glass and place it in the freezer, that thing needs to be cold!
- Impale the green olive on the small pointy stick, and set aside
- Pour 75ml gin, and 10ml of white Vermouth into the cocktail shaker
- Carefully drop in 2-3 large ice cubes, then slowly mix with the cocktail stirrer (Do not shake!)
- Remove the glass from the freezer, and place it where you intend to imbibe the drink
- Strain the contents into the glass, ensuring the ice is left behind
- Garnish with the previously impaled olive, and drink
Nutrition
A little more info for the discerning drinker
The Gin
The Gin market has exploded over the last few years, leaving the amateur mixologist a little overwhelmed by choice. However, as ‘craft’ ginmakers look to manufacture their own iconic flavours, many of the new batch will overwhelm the subtlety of the Martini. So, look for a good quality tipple with a balanced flavour palate, such as Beefeater London Dry, Bombay Sapphire, Tanqueray 10, of Hendricks.
Shaken or Stirred?
Unless you want to unnecessarily dilute your drink, then the answer is always ‘stirred.’ Take a long cocktail stirrer, or a chopstick, and gently rotate clockwise until the hero ingredients are combined.
How Dry?
Well, that’s all down to the drinker, however, for the driest of all Martinis, pour a little vermouth into the shaker, swill it around, then pour it out again. Then just add the gin, and the residue will add a very subtle hint of vermouth to the cocktail.
About Olives
For the ultimate Martini, top quality green olives are the name of the day, and due to reasons, a Martini can contain 1 or 3 olives, but never 2!
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