World Martini Day falls on June 19 and it’s an opportunity for Martini aficionados and newcomers to celebrate one of the best and most personal of cocktails.
Oyster Martini for World Martini Day – Photo © Cocktails & Bars
We’ve previously written about the various nuances of the Martini, be gin or vodka, dry or wet, olive or a twist, and have put together 8 tips on how to get started on How to Make the Perfect Martini or order one at your favourite bar.
Here is a collection of 12 Martinis to celebrate World Martini Day:
Breakfast Martini
You know what they say about breakfast being the most important meal. Created by “The Maestro”, start your day (or afternoon) with the Breakfast Martini, with a slice of toast on the side if you’re so inclined. Get the Breakfast Martini recipe here.
The Kangaroo Cocktail
Also known as the vodka Martini, the Kangaroo Cocktail is a variation of a Martini made with vodka instead of gin, vermouth, garnished with an olive or a twist.
Vesper Martini
Made famous by 007 in the 1953 novel and 2006 film Casino Royale, the Vesper Martini has “Three measures of Gordon’s, one of vodka, half a measure of Kina Lillet. Shake it very well until it’s ice-cold, then add a large thin slice of lemon peel”. Get the Vesper Martini recipe here.
Dirty Martini
When you want it on the dirty side, add a little olive brine to your gin or vodka Martini, vermouth, garnish with green Sicilian olives and you have a Dirty Martini.
The Perfect Martini
Your idea of the Perfect Martini may be cold gin with a nod in the direction of France instead of vermouth or a shaken vodka Martini. We don’t judge. “Perfect” in this case refers to a cocktail that uses equal parts of sweet and dry vermouth which results in a sweeter style of drink. Try it with 60ml gin, 10ml sweet vermouth, 10ml dry vermouth, stirred with ice, strained and garnished.
Oyster Martini
The Oyster Martini is a briny variation for those who enjoy the flavour of the mollusc. The drink is essentially a dry Vodka Martini with a a little oyster liquor, the liquid inside the oyster shell, a pinch of sea salt, and garnished with an oyster. The initial subtle flavour builds up with the briny liquor from the oyster as you sip, leaving you with a vodka-infused oyster to enjoy at the end.
The Saltini
When you’re after a salty riff on the Dirty Martini, try your hand at making the Saltini, a gin-based Martini with salt and celery bitters. Get the recipe for the Saltini here.
The Gibson
A cocktail that we believe deserves more recognition, the Gibson is a Martini garnished with pickled onions instead of an olive or a twist. Get the Gibson cocktail recipe here.
Cucumber Martini
Another savoury riff on the Martini, the Cucumber Martini makes a refreshing afternoon drink or an aperitif before dinner. Get the Cucumber Martini recipe here.
Sake Martini
We’re not calling it “Saketini” as this drink deserve more respect than impostors with “tini” suffix. The Sake Martini is a combination of gin and sake instead of vermouth. Sake, or rice wine brings out the delicate nuances in the drink so don’t skimp on it if you’re used to a drier style of Martini. Try it with 60 ml gin, 20 ml sake, stir and strain, and garnish with an olive.
Fino Martini
The Fino Martini substitutes Fino Sherry for vermouth. Fino Sherry is the driest of all sherries and gives the drink a savoury note. If you’re into dry Martinis, give this one a go. 60 ml of gin, 10 ml of Fino Sherry, stirred, strained and garnished with a lemon twist.
Espresso Martini
Where would World Martini Day be without the pharmaceutical stimulant created by the late Dick Bradsell. Distiller Philip Moore shares with us his best Espresso Martini recipe in case you need a pick me up on World Martini Day.
You might also like: Top 5 Martini Recipes; Men & Martini: What His Choice of Martini Reveals About Him
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