Give your Martini a little kick with this Southwestern-styled version of the classic cocktail.
Whether we order a cocktail when we’re out on the town, or mix one up for ourselves on a relaxing night in, there’s a lot of history in every sip that we aren’t aware of or even think about. But, I’m kind of strange. Whenever I’m enjoying a drink, I like to imagine what the first person who ever tasted it must’ve thought as they took their first sip: Did their eyes widen in delicious realization, or did they scratch their chin, wondering if anyone else would enjoy what they’ve created?
Martinis, for example, really stir my imagination (no pun intended). At first sip, my brain immediately conjures up the image of the suave and sophisticated secret agent James Bond, coolly ordering the cocktail for himself while in dangerous situations. “A vodka martini, shaken, not stirred”, Sean Connery famously uttered in Goldfinger 60 years ago, and since then, that phrase has not only become imprinted into our global popular culture, but it also became the most famous way to serve the drink. But not the only way.
The Martini has been around since as early as the 1880s, and has a few origin stories to its name. One theory is that the drink was created during the Gold Rush in Martinez, California by a bartender named Jerry Thomas. In 1907, the earliest reported recipe for the cocktail was printed in a popular bartender’s guide, The World’s Drinks and How to Mix Them, credited to mixologist William Boothby. A few years later in 1911, a bartender named Martini di Arma di Taggia claims to have invented the cocktail at New York City’s Knickerbocker Hotel. In the 1980s, at Duke’s in London, Salvatore Calabrese is said to have perfected the drink by freezing the ingredients, resulting in zero stirring or shaking. We may never know just who exactly is responsible for bringing the cocktail to life, so let’s raise a chilled glass to all of them, shall we?
When something has been around as long as the Martini, there will inevitably be many different takes by many different artists. We mentioned James Bond earlier, and his creator, Ian Fleming, invented a popular variation of the drink, the Vesper, in the novel Casino Royale. For a long time, the Vesper Martini was my favorite variation… gin heavy with a bit of vodka and Lillet Blanc, it felt as there was literary history in every cold, crisp sip. As I like to explore and try new flavors, my curiosity led me to discover other Martinis, one of which we’ll be making today.
I lived in Texas when I was kid. Since then I’ve always had a taste for things with a Southwestern flavor. Recipe developer and lifestyle blogger Matt Armato created a Martini with exactly that, the Tequila Martini. Called by a few different names like the Tequini, the Mexican Martini or Texas ‘Tini, this drink will go down well on a hot and dusty day.
What kind of vermouth should you use?
For the Tequila Martini, we’re going to stay on the traditional ‘Tini path and stick with a dry vermouth. Most Martinis, whether gin- or vodka-based, are made with dry vermouth. I’ve occasionally made my Martinis with a Bianco vermouth, which is somewhere between sweet and dry, and I like how that mixes with the cocktail, making the taste a little smoother. If you go with either a dry or Bianco vermouth, add a bottle of Dolin’s to your home bar. The price is pretty good and the quality is more than worth it.
What kind of tequila is best in a Tequila Martini?
In our recipe we’re going to be using a Blanco tequila. Blanco adds a bright and smooth sweetness that balances out the dryness of the vermouth. I made a few of these for a friend who doesn’t like traditional Martinis, mainly because they’re too dry, but did enjoy these. We even tried making a version with a reposado tequila that was in hand, which was good, but leaned the drink in a more margarita-like direction (at least to my taste buds), so sticking with a good bottle of Blanco, like El Padrino, will keep the drink rooted in martini territory.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces tequila preferably blanco
- 1 ounce dry vermouth
- 1/4 ounce lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 1 dash orange bitters
- Lemon twist for garnish
Instructions
- In a mixing glass filled with ice, pour the tequila, dry vermouth, lemon juice and one dash of orange bitters.
- Stir the mixture well until it’s chilled ( This should take around 20 to 30 seconds).
- Strain the mixture into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a lemon twist to add a bit of citrus flair.
Nutrition
FAQs & Tips
When drinking any kind of martini, it’s best to use a martini glass or a coupe, chilled either in the freezer or with ice cubes. I like using stemless martini glasses. Because of the sturdier base, there’s less danger of my cat knocking them over. For garnish, a lemon peel twist brings an extra splash of citrus to your drink. Or for a dirty version, go with a few olives and a dash of brine.
Mix everything together and, without adding the garnish, store in your refrigerator, covered with either an airtight lid or plastic wrap until you’re ready to serve, preferably around a day or two beforehand.
A Tequila Martini is going to run you around 160 calories, so while one isn’t a lot, the numbers can add up pretty fast if you aren’t careful. Also, choosing a strictly agave tequila will contain less calories than one that contains sugar.
The age old question when it comes to any martini, mostly due to Agent 007. There’s a theory that James Bond drank his martinis this way, which dilutes it, so that he can tell if someone has poisoned his cocktail. Most bartenders will agree that stirring a martini will keep the flavors strong, but many cocktails that include juices in the mix are served well by shaking. Try both ways and see what you prefer.
Absolutely! They’re also very good and simple to make. Just switch out the vodka for either a Reposado or Blanco tequila, whichever you prefer as both work very well.
Tequila Martini Variations
So you loved our recipe for the Tequila Martini and want to try a few more? You’re in luck! We love martinis at Twist and Toast, so be sure to check out some of the other recipes we have:
- Delicious Dry Martini – The classic martini. Simple, elegant and perfect.
- The Vesper Martini – James Bond’s signature cocktail, named for his ill-fated first love, Vesper Lynd. Careful, these are strong.
- Classic French Martini – A mix of vodka, pineapple juice and raspberry liqueur will make you long for the romantic sidewalks of Paris.
- Espresso Martini – This cocktail is everywhere these days, and for good reason.
- Best Lemon Drop Martini – It’s called the best for a reason! Brighten your day with this zesty drink.
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