The Gin Martini

For our first instalment of this blog we could think of no better subject than the most quintessential of gin cocktails… the Martini.

The Martini is the perfect example of liquid alchemy, this classic combination of gin, vermouth and the old school addition of bitters creates a drink more than the sum of its parts.

It’s difficult to pin down the origins of the Martini, some suggest the cocktail evolved from the Martinez, a cocktail consisting of Genever, sweet vermouth, bitters and maraschino liqueur. Like so many cocktails we will never know whether it was developed independently or inspired one of the many mixed drinks containing spirit and vermouth. Either way we feel as though the mystery behind this drink further enhances it’s appeal.

As a true classic cocktail the Martini is an extremely versatile drink and has been able to adapt to suit the changing palates of countless generations. Over the years the proportions of this drink have changed drastically from the vermouth heavy ‘wet’ Martini’s popular at the drinks inception to wisp of vermouth present in the bone dry Martini’s popular today. Advocates of this dry style of Martini include Winston Churchill who was famed for lifting his drink towards France for his intake of vermouth. In addition to the reduction in vermouth the use of bitters have also fell from popularity, although with the new breath of life bitters have received recently one would hope they make a comeback.

So how to make the perfect Martini? Well that is entirely up to your personal tastes and preferences, after all everyone believes they make the perfect Martini and the truth is everyone is right! Our preferred Martini goes a little something like this;

Junipero Dry Gin – 50ml

Noilly Prat Dry Vermouth – 20ml

Bitter Truth Celery Bitters – 2 Dash

Garnish with a Lime Zest 

Classic Gin Martini served wet with celery bitters and a lime twist. 

To prepare take a large mixing vessel, add the ingredients and fill to the top with ice, stir thoroughly ensuring the drink is properly chilled without over dilution, you still want to appreciate that you are drinking alcohol, one minute should just about do the trick. Strain in to a chilled martini glass and garnish.

We are strong advocates that a Martini must be stirred as opposed to shaken. Although James Bond has regrettably made the latter sound cool (not to mention popularising the sacrilegious Vodka based version) a shaken martini aerates the drink inserting tiny micro bubbles which restrict access to certain taste buds thereby preventing you from fully appreciating everything your choice of spirit and vermouth have to offer. If that wasn’t enough a martini is supposed to be a silky smooth beverage something which can only be achieved by stirring the drink. 

Several other Martini variations or Martini inspired cocktails have also branched off from the original including a Gibson, a Franklin Martini and a Dirty Martini.

The beauty of the Martini is that there is one out there for everyone, we are fairly confident with the right gin, the right vermouth, a little ‘practice’ to perfect your preferred ratio and, dare we say it, a healthy slug of bitters you can find a martini which will take your breath away.

We hope you enjoy

Umpleby & Brown