With both sweet and dry vermouth, the Perfect Martini may very well be just that… perfect.
The word “perfect” isn’t usually thrown around as a name in the cocktail world. Not lightly anyway. You can be served a Manhattan, for example, take one sip and declare that it’s perfect. But is that because of the ingredients used, or the deft touch of the bartender? True, if you mix with quality spirits the finished product will be tasty. But throwing everything together willy-nilly and your drink will be far from perfect. Balance is the key, and often a matter of personal preference.
Tonight’s drink raised my eyebrow by calling itself the Perfect Martini. Naturally, the mind began to wander and wonder. Why is this called the Perfect Martini? Is it a vodka or gin-based concoction? And is it perfect because of a specific variety of these spirits? Does the vermouth play into the perfection? What kind of vermouth, too? My head swam. The answers were in the recipe itself.
Gin, combined with both sweet and dry vermouth is what makes a Perfect Martini. Already a big fan of gin, it was the mixture of sweet and dry that caught my attention. When I make a Gin Martini, I combine three measures (ounces) of Grand Cabaret with half a measure of Dolin white vermouth. Stirred, not shaken—sorry, 007—then served in a chilled glass with a lemon peel, and I feel as though I have made a perfect Martini.
But after making tonight’s recipe for myself, I realized something… The spicy and crisp blend of both the sweet and dry vermouth in this tipple is a “best of both worlds” combination. And by adjusting the amount of vermouth to your individual taste, this does indeed become a Perfect Martini.
Shaken Or Stirred?
James Bond ordered his medium-dry vodka martinis shaken, not stirred. This dilutes the cocktail and softens the potency a bit. Since 007 is always on the go with a job to do, this helps him from getting too inebriated. We’re not secret agents, and if there are any out there, they’re probably not telling. So it’s better to stir your Perfect Martini to gently allow the proper amount of dilution from the ice. The flavor profile of the spirits will also remain intact, as shaking will often “bruise” the gin that is used, altering the way it tastes. Vodka, not so much.
What Is The Best Alcohol To Use In A Perfect Martini?
I mentioned above that I enjoy Grand Cabaret, a stone fruit infused and colorful-tasting gin from Hendrick’s, in my martinis. I also love a good juniper-forward London Dry, such as No.3, Tanqueray or Bombay Sapphire. For the vermouth, don’t get lured in by the low price of certain brands you come across whilst shopping. I used to think that I didn’t like vermouth. Turns out I was getting what I was paying for, cheap stuff. For a little more money, and on the recommendation of a friend, I tried Dolin vermouth, and have never looked back. Antica Formula for sweet vermouth is also incredible, and well worth the price.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 ounces gin
- 3/4 ounce dry vermouth
- 3/4 ounce sweet vermouth
- Lemon twist or green olive for garnish
Instructions
- Place a martini glass in the freezer for at least 10 minutes to chill.
- Fill a mixing glass with ice. Add the gin, dry vermouth, and sweet vermouth.
- Stir the mixture gently for about 30 seconds until well chilled.
- Strain the cocktail into the chilled martini glass. Garnish with a lemon twist or green olive.
Nutrition
WHAT GLASSWARE AND GARNISH IS USED?
Chill a martini glass or cocktail coupe in your freezer for up to thirty minutes. Garnish with a lemon twist or olive.
CAN YOU FREEZE THE INGREDIENTS FOR A PERFECT MARTINI?
You can keep the gin in your freezer and chill the vermouth in your fridge. This will eliminate the need for stirring or shaking, giving you a very potent and ice-cold cocktail.
Perfect Martini Variations
Different styles of Martinis can be quite subtle. And by that, I mean ‘Tinis which are a mix of gin or vodka with vermouth. Anything else is a cocktail served in a martini glass. But let’s not get into the specifics of what makes an “official” martini, we’re here to have some fun. Try some of these classic cocktails out this weekend for a taste of elegant relaxation.
- Vodka Martini – James Bond’s drink of choice, and the popular companion to the Gin Martini.
- Extra Dirty Martini – If you like olives, you’ll love this briny treat.
- Vesper Martini – Gin and vodka come together in this strong cocktail, invented by 007 himself in the novel Casino Royale.
- Saketini – Replace the vermouth with sake in your next martini for a dry and fruity experience.
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