Once described as the “elixir of quietude” by the American writer E.B. White, the Martini has several conflicting stories as to how it came to be. Perhaps the most reliable source is the sweet vermouth called Martini & Rossi, an Italian beverage that was distilled in 1863 and was often shortened by customers to just “Martini” when ordering at the bar.
Here are a few simple tips by Hugo Chetcuti on how to order a Martini just the way you like it.
Choose your base liquor
The foundation of a Martini is either gin or vodka. Most bartenders automatically serve it with gin as vodka is a fairly new addition to Martini cocktails, so it’s important to specify otherwise as to your preference.
Know the difference between the three types
Wet, dry or extra dry. If you like your Martini with a lot of vermouth, then go for wet; otherwise go for dry if you want to reduce the amount. If you want just the bare minimum, ask for the extra dry.
Time to mix it up
This is the fun part – use some of the lingo listed here if you want to order your Martini like a pro:
Make it a Dirty Martini – add some olive juice or brine for a saltier taste, and order it with gin instead of vodka. The olive gives the drink a cloudy, misty appearance, hence the name of the drink.
Add a twist – give it an extra zing with lemon peel or olive zest.
Be a perfectionist – Balance the flavour in your beverage by ordering equal parts dry and sweet vermouth.
Choose between clean or on the rocks – The latter means having the drink poured over ice to remain cooler. If you order a clean Martini, the bartender will pour it straight from the bottle into glass without any ice, leaving the drink at room temperature.
Garnish it – Throw in a few coffee beans (yes, seriously!) for that extra pep in your step, or spice it up with just a drop of tabasco. This fiery ingredient is ideal for a chilly night out.
Shaken, stirred or naked? – A stirred Martini is the most traditional in order to produce a clearer drink, whilst a shaken Martini is mixed in a special cocktail shaker for a cloudier texture in the liquid. Naked Martinis are served by chilling all the ingredients in a freezer and pouring the alcohol straight into the class without mixing.
Hugo’s Martini Collection
Hugo Chetcuti has assembled some of the best and most exciting Martini cocktails around. Using Bombay Sapphire as a gin base and vodka by Absolut, the choice ranges from the Classic Martini to more adventurous cocktails such as the Espresso Martini and the Spicy Martini. Remember that it’s best to keep the amount of Martini cocktails to just 2 or 3 per night – so make that choice the right one!
