Martinez
The Martinez is a beautifully complex and historic cocktail that bridges the gap between the Manhattan and the Dry Martini. It features Old Tom gin, a slightly sweeter style of gin, which pairs perfectly with sweet vermouth. The addition of maraschino liqueur and bitters adds layers of depth, creating a sophisticated and aromatic drink that is rich, yet balanced, and perfect for sipping.
Preparation
Preparation time: 3 minutes
Preparation time
Difficulty
Drink Classification
The Martinez is a classic cocktail, firmly rooted in the history of mixology. It is considered an "all-day" cocktail but is often enjoyed as an aperitif before a meal, meant to stimulate the appetite.
Serving
The Martinez is a spirit-forward drink served cold and "up" (without ice) in a chilled coupe or cocktail glass. It has a significant alcohol content, making it a classic sipping cocktail.
Serving size
Approximately 90 ml / 3 oz
Alcohol content
Approximately 28-32% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe
Glass treatment
Chilled
Backstory
The most popular origin story places the drink's creation in the 1870s in Martinez, California. A gold miner, on his way to San Francisco, stopped at a local bar and asked for a special drink to celebrate his newfound fortune. The bartender, possibly named Julio Richelieu, mixed what he had on hand, creating the first Martinez and naming it after the town.
Origin
The Martinez is believed to have originated in Martinez, California, USA, during the 1860s or 1870s, with its first printed recipe appearing in O.H. Byron's "The Modern Bartender's Guide" in 1884.
Martinez
The drink is primarily known as the Martinez or The Martinez Cocktail. It is sometimes affectionately referred to as the "Martini's Father" or "Martini's Grandfather" due to its historical position as a direct precursor to the modern Dry Martini.
Original name
Martinez
Alternative names
- The Martinez Cocktail
- Martini's Father
Characteristics overview
The Martinez offers a complex, herbal, and subtly sweet flavor profile with a silky texture and a warming, long aftertaste. Its deep amber hue and botanical aroma make it a sophisticated, year-round sipping cocktail.
Flavor
Complex, herbal, subtly sweet, juniper, cherry, orange
Aroma
Botanical, aromatic, citrus, sweet herbs
Taste balance
Sweet, bitter, spirituous
Aftertaste
Warming, long, complex, herbal
Fizziness
Still, non-carbonated
Color appearance
Clear, deep amber, reddish-brown
Texture
Silky, smooth, slightly viscous
Seasonality
Year-round, warming, classic
Flavor intensity & Experience
The drink is defined by its high alcohol strength, balanced by a gentle sweetness and bitterness. It has noticeable fruity and herbal notes with no sourness, saltiness, or creaminess.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation
Ingredients
This classic cocktail requires four key liquid ingredients: Old Tom Gin, sweet vermouth, maraschino liqueur, and orange bitters. A high-quality version of each is recommended for the best flavor.
- Old Tom Gin45 ml / 1.5 ozA slightly sweeter style of gin, essential for the classic Martinez profile. A London Dry can be substituted for a drier version.
- Sweet Vermouth45 ml / 1.5 ozUse a high-quality Italian-style sweet vermouth for best results.
- Maraschino Liqueur1 bar spoon (approx. 5 ml / 0.17 oz)A clear, dry liqueur made from Marasca cherries, adding complexity and a hint of sweetness.
- Orange Bitters2 dashesAngostura bitters can also be used for a slightly spicier profile.
Ice type
- Cubed ice for chilling
Mixing equipments
You will need a mixing glass and a bar spoon to properly stir and chill the drink. A jigger for accurate measurements and a strainer are also essential.
- Mixing glass for stirring the ingredients with ice
- Bar spoon for stirring
- Jigger for measuring ingredients
- Strainer (Julep or Hawthorne) for pouring into the glass
Instructions
The process involves combining all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice, stirring until chilled, and then straining into a chilled coupe. The final touch is garnishing with an expressed lemon twist.
1. Chill your coupe or cocktail glass in the freezer for at least 15 minutes before preparation.
2. Add Old Tom gin, sweet vermouth, maraschino liqueur, and orange bitters to a mixing glass.
3. Fill the mixing glass with cubed ice.
4. Stir with a bar spoon for 20-30 seconds until well-chilled and properly diluted.
5. Strain the mixture into your pre-chilled coupe glass.
6. Take a fresh lemon peel, twist it over the surface of the drink to express its oils, and then drop it into the glass as a garnish.
7. Serve immediately.
Garnishing
A simple yet elegant lemon twist is the classic garnish for a Martinez. Expressing the citrus oils over the surface of the drink adds a bright, aromatic dimension.
- Lemon Twist: Express the oils from a lemon peel over the drink and drop it in.
Dietary Information
This cocktail is typically vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free, but check vermouth and liqueur labels for specific allergens. Maraschino liqueur can occasionally be derived from nuts, so caution is advised for those with nut allergies.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✕ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly
Nutrition information
A single serving of a Martinez contains a moderate amount of calories, primarily from the alcohol. The carbohydrate and sugar content comes almost entirely from the sweet vermouth and maraschino liqueur.
Calories
Averagely 190-220 kcal / 795-920 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 8-10 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 8-10 g
Sugar level
Occasions
This cocktail is ideal for sophisticated occasions, such as a cocktail party or a pre-dinner aperitif. Its historical significance also makes it a perfect choice for a themed tasting event exploring the evolution of cocktails.
- Pre-dinner drink
- Cocktail party
- Sophisticated gathering
- Historical cocktail tasting
Pairing suggestions
The Martinez pairs well with savory and salty appetizers that can stand up to its complex, spirit-forward profile. Consider offering it with a selection of charcuterie, hard cheeses, or flavorful marinated olives to complement the drink's herbal and sweet notes.
- Marinated olives
- Hard cheeses like Parmesan or aged cheddar
- Charcuterie boards
- Smoked almonds
The Martinez: A Taste of Cocktail History
The Martinez is a cornerstone of cocktail history, representing a key evolutionary step towards the modern Martini. It offers a more approachable and slightly sweeter profile than its famous descendant, thanks to the use of Old Tom gin and a generous measure of sweet vermouth. With its rich, complex character derived from maraschino liqueur and bitters, it is a sophisticated and rewarding drink for those who appreciate classic, spirit-driven cocktails. A perfect choice for an aperitif, it is best enjoyed stirred and served ice-cold in a chilled coupe.
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