Skip to main content

Original Martini

3.6

(7)

Image may contain Drink Cocktail Alcohol Beverage and Martini
Original MartiniSara Bonisteel at <a href="http://fortdefiancebrooklyn.com/">Fort Defiance</a>

This drink was featured as a Cocktail of the Month.

The original Martini, which is made with sweet Italian vermouth, sugar syrup, and orange bitters, lost out to the type made with just dry French vermouth, but it is still an excellent drink. This recipe, adapted from the estimable The Old Waldorf Astoria Bar Book (1935) by Albert Stevens Crockett, calls for Old Tom Gin, which is sweeter than dry gin. Since Old Tom isn't easy to find nowadays, we've substituted a combination of dry gin and simple syrup.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes 1 drink

Ingredients

1 1/2 ounces London dry gin
1 1/2 ounces sweet vermouth, preferably Noilly Prat
1 dash orange bitters
1 teaspoon simple syrup
Small piece lemon peel
Green olive for garnish

Preparation

  1. In mixing glass or cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine gin, vermouth, bitters, and simple syrup. Stir well, about 20 seconds, then strain into cocktail coupe or martini glass. Twist lemon peel directly over drink to release essential oils, garnish with green olive, and serve.

Read More
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
Like carrot farro salad and chicken paella.
Like miso-peanut hibachi chicken and spring orzotto.
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
A crowd-friendly, crisp-edged chicken and vegetable rice from chef José Andrés.
Filberts, goobers, scaly bark nuts: Explore the world beyond almonds in this guide.
Think a Hugo spritz, a gin basil smash, and plenty more patio-ready pours.
This is the type of soup that, at first glance, might seem a little…unexciting. But you’re underestimating the power of mushrooms, which do the heavy lifting.