This little known cocktail has been making Gin lovers happy since well over a 100 years. I personally “discovered” it by reading the 25 Classic Cocktails ebook the other day, and since I had the ingredients, I gave it a whirl. You know what? I really liked it!
Thought to be introduced about 20 years after the Civil War in the beautiful state of California, the Martinez is a nichy beverage that combines some of the flavors we have come to expect from the Negroni (bitters, maraschino, Italian Vermouth, and Gin specifically) but simpler, more subtle, and because there is no Campari, a lot less intense.
Served in a coupe-style cocktail glass (smaller than a martini glass, and looks like a little bowl), at 3 ounces total, it is no wonder the humorist James Thurber once said, “One is alright, two is too many, and three is not enough.”
The Martinez
2 ounces Gin
.25 oz maraschino liqueur
.75 oz Italian Vermouth (I like Cocchi)
1 dash Blacksmith Trading Co Citrus Bitters
twist of orange
Add a small handful of ice to a pint glass.
Add ingredients, minus orange, to the pint glass and stir vigorously for about 90 seconds.
Strain into chilled coupe style cocktail glass.
Garnish with a twist of orange.