Mezcal Martinez
Stir ∙ 3 min ∙ 28.5% ABV ∙
The Mezcal Martinez swaps mezcal into the Martinez alongside Carpano Antica vermouth, Cynar, maraschino liqueur and cocoa bitters. Smoke rolls in first from the mezcal, then bitter Cynar and a dark cherry sweetness settle into a dry, faintly chocolatey finish.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Stir all ingredients with ice: Mezcal 50 mlCarpano Antica Formula vermouth 15 mlCynar 15 mlMaraschino liqueur 10 mlCocoa bitters 1 dash
- Fine strain into the chilled glass
- Express an orange twist over the cocktail and use as garnish
Tips
- Pre-chill the coupe before stirring so the drink stays cold once fine-strained, since no ice will follow it into the glass.
- Choose a joven or young mezcal rather than a heavily aged one, or the smoke can overwhelm the Cynar and maraschino.
- Express the orange twist directly over the surface before dropping it in — the oils carry more aroma than the peel alone.
History
The Mezcal Martinez swaps in mezcal for the gin of the classic Martinez, pairing its smoke with bittersweet Italian amaro instead of the original's sweetened gin base. One version of the recipe, built with Cynar and maraschino liqueur, is credited to bartender Matt Taylor-Gross and published through Saveur; a separate rendition has been attributed to bartender Richard Elgar, created in 2020 to mark Mezcal Day on October 21.
The Martinez itself is generally traced to the Occidental Hotel in San Francisco and was first set down in print in Jerry Thomas's 1887 edition of his Bartender's Guide, though its exact origin is disputed among several claimants. The mezcal riff keeps that drink's stirred, spirit-forward structure while trading its base spirit for an agave one, giving the cocktail a smokier, earthier character.
FAQ
What is in a Martinez cocktail?
A classic Martinez is gin, sweet vermouth, maraschino liqueur, and bitters, stirred and served up. This recipe is a mezcal-based variation, built instead from mezcal, Carpano Antica vermouth, Cynar, maraschino liqueur, and cocoa bitters, finished with an orange twist.
How do you make a Mezcal Martinez?
Stir the mezcal, vermouth, Cynar, maraschino liqueur, and cocoa bitters with ice until well-chilled, then fine-strain into a pre-chilled coupe. Finish by expressing an orange twist over the drink and dropping it in as garnish.
What's the difference between a Negroni and a Martinez?
A Negroni is equal parts gin, a red bitter such as Campari, and sweet vermouth, giving it a bright, bitter-forward profile. This Mezcal Martinez instead leans on mezcal, vermouth, Cynar, and maraschino liqueur, so it reads smokier and rounder, with a dark cherry sweetness the Negroni does not have.
What's the difference between a Martini and a Martinez?
A Martini is gin and dry vermouth, stirred or shaken and served bone-dry with little to no sweetness. A Martinez, including this mezcal version, adds maraschino liqueur and a sweeter vermouth, making it noticeably richer and less austere than a Martini.
Is a Martinez sweeter than a Martini?
Yes, this Mezcal Martinez is sweeter than a Martini, since the maraschino liqueur gives it a rounded, fruity edge that a dry Martini lacks, while Cynar's bitterness keeps that sweetness in check rather than removing it.
