MartinezCocktail recipe
Rating
Can you make this?
Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.
Said to have emerged around 1860-1870, and is often touted as one of the world’s oldest gin cocktails.
Microbadges
Can you make this?
Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.
Cocktail glass
Ingredients
Cocktail Colin says:
The Martinez cocktail, with its rich tapestry of flavors, expertly walks the line between robust and refreshing. The combination of red vermouth and dry gin offers a harmonious balance of herbal and floral notes, while the maraschino cherry liqueur introduces a subtle sweetness that complements the crisp bite of the orange bitters, making this historic drink a delight for those who appreciate complexity in their cocktails.
Method
How to make a Martinez
- Dry gin 45ml, Maraschino cherry liqueur 1 teaspoon, Red vermouth 45ml, Orange Bitters 2 dashes
-
- Add all the ingredients into a mixing glass with ice and stir to combine and chill the ingredients
-
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass, garnish with a lemon peel and serve
Power tips
Elevate the Martinez with these master mixologist tips
Upgrade to premium
And receive world class tips on how to raise your cocktails to the next level.
Find out more- Use a high-quality Maraschino cherry liqueur for a more intense and authentic flavor, as cheaper versions may alter the cocktail's balance.
- Employ a bar spoon to gently stir the drink in a mixing glass for at least 30-45 seconds to achieve the perfect chill and dilution.
- Upgrade to premium to receive even more power tips on this cocktail.
Your private tasting notes
Featured in
FAQ's
What is the history behind the Martinez cocktail?
The Martinez cocktail is considered a predecessor to the modern martini and has its origins in the mid to late 19th century. It is believed to have been first concocted in the California Gold Rush era. However, the exact origins are a bit murky with various stories attributing it to different bartenders and locations. One popular story claims it was first mixed in Martinez, California, hence the name.
What does the Martinez cocktail taste like?
The Martinez cocktail has a complex flavor profile that is both sweet and bitter with herbal notes. The sweetness primarily comes from the red vermouth and the maraschino cherry liqueur, while the orange bitters add a citrusy bitterness. The dry gin provides a botanical depth, making it a rich, aromatic, and well-balanced drink.
Can I use any type of gin for a Martinez cocktail?
While you can technically use any type of gin for a Martinez, traditionally, a more aromatic gin such as an Old Tom gin is preferred for its slightly sweeter profile compared to London Dry gin. However, experimenting with different gins can help you find your personalized preference for this cocktail.
Is there a non-alcoholic version of the Martinez cocktail?
Yes, you can create a non-alcoholic version of the Martinez cocktail by substituting the gin and vermouth with non-alcoholic alternatives. Non-alcoholic spirit brands often offer botanical versions that mimic the flavor of gin, and there are non-alcoholic aperitifs that can replace vermouth. Use a non-alcoholic maraschino cherry syrup to substitute the liqueur and maintain the sweetness.
What is the best way to serve a Martinez cocktail?
The Martinez cocktail is best served in a chilled cocktail glass. It should be stirred with ice in a mixing glass until well-chilled and then strained into the serving glass. Garnishing with a twist of lemon peel or an orange slice can add an aromatic touch to the drink. Additionally, a maraschino cherry can be added as a traditional garnish to complete the presentation.
Upgrade your mixology
Become a member for free taking your cocktail making skills up to level 11. Or become a premium member to rise to cocktail greatness.
- Save your bar forever
- Access to our Cocktail Creator, allowing you to create your own wonderful concoctions.
- Access to Cocktail Colin; ask Cocktail Colin anything on an individual cocktail and he'll give you the answers you need.
- Create personalised cocktail menus for all your events, bars or parties
- Save cocktails to personalised 'Tried' and 'Want to try' lists
- Create and record tasting notes on cocktails
- Create lists of cocktails to share with friends and family
- A personalised MyBar URL, allowing you to share everything you can make with friends
- And much more ... (what to buy next, measurement choices, search personalisation...)
Have you tried our Wordpress Plugin?
Download our plugin and embed cocktail recipes directly onto your own site or blog.
Choose from our whole recipe database, or choose a specific cocktail made with a certain ingredient, and let us place a beautiful recipe on your own site.
Find out moreYou might also like
Discover this sophisticated Martini with a citrus note.
Dry Martini Franklin
Dry gin, White vermouth, Orange Bitters
Dive into this refreshing harmony of gin and citrus
Fitzgerald
Dry gin, Lemon Juice, Sugar / simple Syrup, Angostura Bitters
Discover this aromatic mix of gin and tea
Earl Grey Martini
Dry gin, Lemon Juice, Sugar / simple Syrup, Egg, Tea (Earl grey tea)
Experience this exquisite blend of gin and fruit.
Million Dollar Cocktail
Dry gin (Hayman's (if available)), Red vermouth (chilled), Pineapple Juice, Grenadine, Egg
Create a cocktail
Choose a theme and some ingredients, give us some description and we'll create an amazing cocktail for you.
Register as a Premium Make Me a Cocktail community member and get access to an even more powerful creator.
Start creatingBuild your bar
Tell us what you have at home and we’ll find a delicious cocktail for you to make right now.
Register as a Make Me a Cocktail community member and we’ll save your ingredients list so you can come back to it at any time.
Create My Bar
Cocktail Colin
Your cocktail expert
Hi! I'm Cocktail Colin
Ask me anything about this cocktail - how to make it, substitutions, variations, or any other questions!
Become a member to access Cocktail Colin
Become a member (for free) to pick Cocktail Colin's cocktail filled brain on everything on this cocktail, from substitutions, if you can use what you have, to serving suggestions and more.
Become a member
Comments