I’m back after knocking off for a while to polish up a presentation for the vermouth seminar I did at Pinnacle Wine & Liquor on October 26. Some of that material will appear here on the Libation Lounge in upcoming weeks. 

Meanwhile, back to mixing cocktails! Today’s feature is a minor but (I believe) historically accurate variation on the grandfather of the Martini as we know it today: the Martinez. 

Most cocktail historians believe the Martinez was the first gin/vermouth cocktail to be popularized in bars and documented in a bartender’s catalog of recipes. Precisely who concocted it first, and where, is an unresolvable debate. Despite the pile of recipe books they produced, 19th century bartenders did little to document their inventions, much less to trademark or otherwise protect them legally. 

What is accepted universally is that the Martinez used a pre-London-Dry gin and a sweet vermouth. Most accounts say the gin was Old Tom, but some say it was Genever – the Dutch/continental ancestor to Old Tom and all gins that followed. If it was Genever, it was probably Oude Genever—a slightly sweet, juniper-based spirit which modern European Union standards say must be based on no less than 15 percent malted grain mash. It’s a far cry from London Dry gin. 

Old Tom gin also is a bit sweet, befitting its Genever roots. Whether you use Oude Genever or Old Tom, this cocktail is absolutely delicious. If I were writing the rules, I would say making it with London Dry is out of bounds, at least as far as calling it a Martinez; however, that would still be a great-tasting cocktail. If you like that idea, try a Hanky Panky! 

Of note, the very oldest recipes available reverse the proportions, calling for two parts of vermouth to one part of Genever or Old Tom gin. That’s very worth a try as well. 

THE MARTINEZ
2 oz. Oude Genever or Old Tom gin
½ oz Dry vermouth
½ oz Carpano Antica or other hearty Italian – sweet – vermouth
1 tsp Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur

In a mixing glass, stir all ingredients with ice until well chilled. Strain the mix into a chilled cocktail coupe or Martini glass, and garnish with a twist of orange zest.

Yes, I would enjoy this again and again. In fact, I have.