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Martinez

The Quirky Foodster Team

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Coupe or cocktail glass
Glass
Lemon twist
Garnish

Ingredients

  • Old Tom gin — 30 ml (1 oz)
  • Sweet vermouth — 30 ml (1 oz)
  • Maraschino liqueur — 7.5 ml (1/4 oz)
  • Angostura bitters — 2 dashes

Method

  1. Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice.
  2. Stir until well chilled.
  3. Strain into a chilled coupe.
  4. Twist a lemon peel over the top.

Description: Widely considered the direct ancestor of the Martini, sweeter and more complex than its famous descendant.

Cultural Background: Documented from the 1880s, with a persistent (if unproven) legend that it was invented in the California town of Martinez.

Tips: Old Tom gin, slightly sweeter and richer than London Dry, is the historically correct choice.

Variations: Using London Dry gin and less vermouth moves the drink closer to a modern Martini.

Serving Suggestion: Serve up, well chilled, as a window into the Martini's 19th-century roots.

Nutrition: Approx. 185 kcal per serving

FAQs:

Q: Is this the same as a Martini?
A: It's the Martini's likely ancestor — sweeter, with maraschino liqueur that the modern Martini dropped entirely.