World Gin Day is today, and I hope you’re laughing along with me as I try to keep up with all these “holidays”. Did you know tomorrow is National Bourbon Day? Just seeing the plethora of links to similar bogus holidays at the bottom of their site is kind of a giveaway that this isn’t a widely recognized “holiday”.
Today’s featured cocktail is the Martinez. From what I gather, the history is disputed. I’ve read the recipe was first mentioned in O.H. Byron’s Modern Bartenders’ Guide (1884) while other sources cite Jerry Thomas’ How To Make Drinks or the Bon Vivant’s Companion (1887). The Martinez can be considered a Manhattan variant that swaps the whiskey for gin. I think this is a great seasonal twist for people who generally gravitate towards Manhattans. So rather than drinking a gin and tonic or a martini, switch it up and enjoy a Martinez.
And since it’s World Gin Day, check out the video at the end of the post from Jamie Oliver that explains the gin making process in detail. It’s a great overview of the process and explains some of the things I mentioned in my review of Loyal gin last week. I’ve included the recipe for a Martinez below. Cheers.
Martinez
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces gin Old Tom preferred
- 1½ ounces Sweet Vermouth
- ¼ ounce Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur
- 2 dashes orange bitters
Instructions
- Combine ingredients in a mixing glass and stir until chilled.
- Strain into chilled martini glass and garnish with an expressed orange twist.
