the recipe to the martinez cocktail martini

The Martinez cocktail martini is a sweeter drink along the lines of the Sweet Vermouth Martini. It is sometimes referred to as the predecessor to the Classic Gin Martini. There are two main ingredients in the recipe, the sweet vermouth and the simple syrup that makes the drink quite sweet. The base spirit is Gin as in the classic martini.

The earliest known recipe for the Martinez cocktail dates back to as early as the late 1880s. There has been slight variations to the recipe since then. This recipe calls for a small amount of simple syrup as well, which is sometimes optional depending on your preference.

The drink was traditionally made with Old Tom Gin which is slightly on the sweeter side. But you can use any dry Gin of your choice. Again, I prefer Dolin sweet vermouth but you could very well use your favorite sweet vermouth.

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 shots of Gin
  • 1 shot of Sweet Vermouth
  • 1/2 shot of Simple Syrup
  • 2 table spoons of Maraschino Liqueur
  • 2 dashes of Orange bitters

Recipe/Preparation

  1. Add some ice cubes into a martini shaker
  2. Add 2 and half shots of Gin into the shaker
  3. Add 1 shot of Sweet Vermouth
  4. Add half a shot of simple syrup into the shaker
  5. Add 2 table spoons of Maraschino liqueur into the shaker
  6. Shake the contents of the shaker well
  7. Add two dashes of orange bitters into a chilled martini glass
  8. Swirl the bitters around in the glass to evenly coat the surface
  9. Strain the contents of the shaker into the glass
Martinez Martini

Variations and Similar Drinks

Sweet Vermouth Martini: This does not have either the simple syrup or the Maraschino liqueur. This drink is not as sweet as the Martinez either.
Classic Gin Martini: This is the traditional martini which is much more popular these days. This drink is supposed to have originated from the Martinez cocktail. It is anything but sweet.

Tips

  • Go easy on the maraschino liqueur as it has a very distinctive taste. Too much of it can ruin the drink.
  • The simple syrup in the recipe is optional. If you prefer the Martinez to be on the sweeter side then use the simple syrup.
  • The sweetness of the drink will also depend on the type of sweet vermouth that you use. If the sweet vermouth is on the sweeter side, then skip the syrup.
  • Most recipes call for the bitters to be added directly into the shaker instead of swirling it in the glass later. I prefer the latter method as it gives a slightly different after-flavor that I prefer.