Martini Special
A dry and herbal gin cocktail ∙ Shake ∙ 3 min ∙ 26.3% ABV ∙
The Martini Special is a shaken Martini variation of London dry gin and rosso vermouth, scented with orange blossom water, absinthe and aromatic bitters.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Shake all ingredients with ice: London dry gin 60 mlRosso vermouth 20 mlOrange blossom water 1 mlAbsinthe 2 dashesAngostura aromatic bitters 1 dash
- Fine strain into the chilled glass
- Express an orange twist over the cocktail and use as garnish
Tips
- Two dashes of absinthe are plenty; it's there to scent the drink, not to compete with the gin.
History
The Martini Special is a named variation on the Martini recorded by Harry Craddock in The Savoy Cocktail Book, published in 1930. Craddock's recipe, listed as "Martini (Special) Cocktail," called for a large-format mix of gin and Italian vermouth built out for six people, with orange-flower water added along with a dash of absinthe and one or two dashes of Angostura bitters before shaking. The name distinguishes it from the plain Martini recipes in the same book by the addition of these aromatic extras, chiefly the orange-flower water, giving it a more perfumed, spiced character than the standard gin-and-vermouth build.
The Martini itself, the drink this recipe riffs on, has a disputed origin, with leading theories tracing it to the 1860s Martinez or to the Martini & Rossi vermouth brand.
FAQ
What is in a Martini Special?
60 ml London dry gin and 20 ml rosso vermouth, scented with 1 ml orange blossom water, two dashes of absinthe, and a dash of Angostura aromatic bitters.
Is a Martini Special shaken or stirred?
Shaken. A shake mixes the small amounts of orange blossom water, absinthe, and bitters right through the gin and vermouth and chills the drink fast.
What makes a Martini Special different from a regular martini?
A classic Martini is just gin (or vodka) and dry vermouth, stirred and garnished with an olive or lemon twist. The Martini Special uses rosso vermouth instead of dry, adds orange blossom water, absinthe, and aromatic bitters, and is shaken. It tastes sweeter and more perfumed, with a hint of spice.
What glass is a Martini Special served in?
A coupe glass. The drink is fine-strained before serving, so it arrives clear with no ice in the glass.
