Have a drink with some real weekend vibes when you sip on the neon-red Cherry Martini.
Sleek… Eye-popping… Shiny… Fresh… Mouth-watering…
There are a number of things these words could be collectively describing. A number of people, too. But in this instance, it’s a drink. An adult beverage, in fact. One that, when it’s made and sitting in its frosty glass, could be a piece of neon-drenched, 1980s-inspired modern art, hanging over a waterbed while Blondie blasts on the stereo.
Maybe that’s a lot of image to hoist onto a fairly simple Cherry Martini. But sometimes simple equals an amazing amount of incredible things. Think about some of the biggest and most memorable musical hits of all time… These are usually simple and pleasant earworms that you find yourself humming without realizing.
Cocktails can be like that, in a way. Two or three ingredients, like vodka, vermouth, and bitters, can be seen as two or three chords in a pop song. But you add an extra tone or string or whatever, and you’ve got something familiar that also tastes a little different. A bit of a stretch, maybe. But not after a few of these tart and potent concoctions. Everything starts to make a little sense after a few drinks.
What is the best alcohol to use in a Cherry Martini?
When choosing a maraschino liqueur for this crimson cocktail, a bottle of Luxardo is a classic and reliable option. For the vodka, I prefer a crisp and clean unflavored spirit, either a rye-distilled Chopin or a Belvedere. There are cherry-infused varieties available if you want a sweeter and richer sip. For the dry vermouth, a Dolin or Cinzano will help make this tipple a beautifully bitter and brisk affair.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces vodka
- 1/2 ounce cherry liqueur Cherry Heering or Luxardo Maraschino
- 1/4 ounce dry vermouth
- 1/2 ounce tart cherry juice
- 1 fresh cherry or maraschino cherry for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a mixing glass halfway with ice. Add the vodka, cherry liqueur, dry vermouth, and tart cherry juice.
- Stir until very cold.
- Strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a cherry and serve immediately.
Nutrition
What glassware and garnish are used?
Chill a martini glass in your freezer for up to 30 minutes before you’re ready to mix and drink this cocktail. Once poured, garnish with a fresh and juicy red cherry on the rim, stem and all.
Can you use gin in this recipe?
You can if you wish. Vodka tends to meld better with sweeter flavors, as most gins are more herbaceous. A stone fruit infused gin, or a clean and balanced London Dry, like a Beefeater or Bombay (not the Sapphire), could work nicely, especially if your preference is gin over vodka.
Other Martini variations worth trying
While the classic and traditional Martini is Gin or Vodka with dry vermouth, even the old ways are prone to inspired variations. Many mixed drinks often take on the mantle “martini” in their name, despite no vermouth, gin or vodka being present in many of them. Below are some of the more traditional-leaning offshoots.
- 50/50 Martini – An equal mixture of spirit and vermouth.
- Wet Martini – Add more dry vermouth to make this cocktail a wet one.
- Pickle Martini – A little dill makes this sipper a savory experience.
- Perfect Martini – Sweet and dry vermouth will make your next ‘Tini perfect.
Leave a Comment