IBA
Martinez – IBA
A dry and bitter cocktail ∙ Stir ∙ 3 min ∙ 24.1% ABV ∙
The Martinez is a stirred cocktail of equal parts London dry gin and sweet vermouth with maraschino liqueur and orange bitters, a forerunner of the Martini.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Stir all ingredients with ice: London dry gin 45 mlRosso vermouth 45 mlMaraschino liqueur 2 bspOrange bitters 2 ml
- Strain into the chilled cocktail glass
- Garnish with a lemon twist
Tips
- Stir for about 30 seconds, until the drink is ice-cold and has taken on enough water from the ice.
History
The Martinez – IBA is the International Bartenders Association's official specification of the Martinez. It fixes equal parts London dry gin and rosso vermouth with maraschino liqueur and orange bitters, where historical versions varied between Old Tom, dry, and Genever gins, and between maraschino and curaçao.
The Martinez itself is a 19th-century American cocktail, first printed in the 1880s and generally described as a forerunner of the Martini and a close relative of the Manhattan.
FAQ
What is in a Martinez cocktail?
Equal parts London dry gin and rosso vermouth, plus two barspoons of maraschino liqueur and a little orange bitters.
How do you make a Martinez drink?
Stir all four ingredients with ice until well chilled, strain into a chilled cocktail glass, and garnish with a lemon twist.
What's the difference between a Negroni and a Martinez?
The red bitter. A Negroni is equal parts gin, a red bitter such as Campari, and sweet vermouth, so it tastes boldly bitter. The Martinez has no red bitter liqueur: maraschino liqueur and a little orange bitters take its place, which makes it sweeter and softer, with a cherry note.
Is a Martinez sweeter than a Martini?
Yes, noticeably. A Martinez is equal parts gin and sweet vermouth plus maraschino liqueur. A Martini is mostly gin with only a small amount of dry vermouth, so it drinks much drier.
How is a Martinez different from a Tuxedo?
The vermouth. A Tuxedo pairs gin with dry vermouth, maraschino liqueur and orange bitters, so it drinks crisp and dry, close to a Martini. A Martinez uses sweet vermouth instead, which makes it fuller and sweeter.
What kind of gin is best for a Martinez?
London dry gin is the standard choice: its dry, juniper-heavy taste keeps the sweet vermouth and maraschino in check. A softer or more floral gin can get lost against them. Older versions also used Old Tom, dry or Genever gin.
