Drink of the Week: Martinez

The Martinez cocktail is a classic cocktail drinker's classic cocktail. It's a martini variation that includes maraschino and bitters.

I recently picked up a bottle of Hayman's Old Tom gin to play with. Old Tom is a style of gin that was very popular in 18th century London. It's sweeter and not quite as junipery as a London dry gin (think Beefeater). Hayman's is a new gin that uses an 18th century Old Tom recipe.

The Martinez is a cocktail that is perfectly designed for Old Tom gin, but if you don't have any on hand, please try it with a lighter gin like Plymouth or Citadelle. I like a 1:1 proportion of gin to sweet vermouth, but there isn't consensus on this ratio, try 2:1 if you'd like a more "spirited" drink.

Martinez

Combine in an iced cocktail shaker:

• 1 ounce Old Tom gin
• 1 ounce sweet vermouth
• 1 bar spoon maraschino liqueur
• 2 dashes orange bitters

Stir until very cold. Strain into a coupe or cocktail glass. Garnish with an orange twist.