Bloomsbury Martini
Stir ∙ 3 min ∙ 34.1% ABV ∙
The Bloomsbury Martini is a stirred gin cocktail built with dry vermouth, Licor 43, and Creole-style bitters, finished with a lemon twist. Citrus-sweet vanilla from the Licor 43 softens the juniper bite, while the bitters add a spiced edge that dries out on the finish — a slow-sipping, after-dinner pour.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Stir all ingredients with ice: London dry gin 60 mlLicor 43 Original liqueur 15 mlDry vermouth 15 mlCreole-style bitters 2 dashes
- Fine strain into the chilled glass
- Express a lemon twist over the cocktail and use as garnish
Tips
- Stir with plenty of large ice cubes for 20-30 seconds to reach proper dilution without bruising the gin's botanicals.
- Chill the martini glass in the freezer beforehand since this all-spirit stir gets no shaking aeration to help mask a warm glass.
- Measure the Licor 43 carefully against the vermouth so its vanilla-citrus sweetness stays balanced and doesn't overwhelm the dry gin base.
- Express the lemon twist's oils over the surface before dropping it in, then strain the stirred mix into the chilled glass first.
History
The Bloomsbury Martini was created in 2003 by Robert "Drinkboy" Hess, a Seattle-based cocktail writer and founder of the DrinkBoy website, for a competition sponsored by Tanqueray. He named the drink Bloomsbury after the London district where Tanqueray gin was first distilled, referencing Charles Tanqueray's original 1830 distillery there. The recipe was later published on DrinkBoy.com and picked up by cocktail reference guides as a Martini variation built around Licor 43.
FAQ
What is in a Bloomsbury Martini?
London dry gin, Licor 43, dry vermouth, and a couple of dashes of Creole-style bitters, stirred and strained into a chilled glass. The gin leads, with the Licor 43's vanilla-citrus sweetness and the bitters' spice rounding it out.
Is a Bloomsbury Martini shaken or stirred?
Stirred. With no citrus juice or syrup needing aeration, stirring keeps the drink clear and silky rather than clouding it with ice shards.
What glass is a Bloomsbury Martini served in?
A martini glass, garnished with a lemon twist and served with no ice in the glass.
What does a Bloomsbury Martini taste like?
It is described as aromatic, medium-dry, and spicy, with a vanilla-like character from Licor 43 and a pinky/rusty appearance.
