Dry Martini 15:1 Montgomery’s
Stir ∙ 3 min ∙ 33.4% ABV ∙
The Dry Martini 15:1 Montgomery’s, or Montgomery Martini, is an extra-dry gin Martini: London dry gin and dry vermouth at fifteen to one, stirred.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Stir all ingredients with ice: London dry gin 75 mlDry vermouth 5 mlOrange bitters 1 dash (opt.)
- Strain into the chilled glass
- Express a lemon twist over the cocktail and use as garnish or garnish with olives
Tips
- Stir over ice for a good 30 seconds; with 75 ml of gin and only 5 ml of vermouth, water from the ice is what takes the edge off.
- Don't free-pour the vermouth. At 15:1, a slightly heavy hand doubles the 5 ml and the drink is no longer that dry.
History
The Dry Martini 15:1 Montgomery’s pushes the gin-to-vermouth ratio far beyond the standard Dry Martini, to fifteen to one. It takes its name from British general Bernard Montgomery, who was said to insist on outnumbering enemy forces by fifteen to one before engaging in battle. Ernest Hemingway popularized the pairing of name and ratio: in his 1950 novel Across the River and Into the Trees, the protagonist orders Montgomery Martinis, "fifteen to one," at Harry's Bar in Venice. Hemingway frequented that bar and helped make it famous for its very dry Martinis.
The Dry Martini's own origin is disputed among competing theories tied to San Francisco's 1860s Martinez cocktail, the Martini & Rossi vermouth brand, and a Knickerbocker Hotel bartender named Martini di Arma di Taggia. By the early 20th century the drink had settled into recognizable form, and it grew steadily drier over the following decades, through stages such as the Dry Martini 5:1.
FAQ
What is the perfect ratio for a dry martini?
There is no single agreed ratio; dry Martinis have ranged from equal parts gin and vermouth to almost no vermouth at all. This one uses 15:1 gin to vermouth, the very dry style known as the Montgomery.
What is in a Montgomery Martini?
75 ml London dry gin and 5 ml dry vermouth, a 15:1 ratio, plus an optional dash of orange bitters.
Is a Martini shaken or stirred?
Stirred. Stirring chills and dilutes the gin without aerating or clouding it, so the drink stays clear and silky.
