Original Martini
3.6
(8)
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.
Ingredients
Makes 1 drink
Preparation
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.
Leave a Review
Reviews (8)
Back to TopWas delicious! However I used only half the vermouth it called for. I loved the scent of lemon and Olive as well. Very groovy drink!
Robert Judd
Tempe, AZ
9/16/2021
I thought this was a great cocktail! Fruity, floral and perfect sweetness. Great balance. The gin, orange bitters and vermouth all play their part well. Certainly a “romantic drink” as said earlier. Like the Manhattan, a great introduction to vermouth for the unacquainted.
ColorblindBartender
Monterey, CA
7/21/2020
this drink is a nice alternative to a manhattan. it doesn't need both a piece of lemon peel and an olive. next time I will use the lemon twist to flavor the rim of the glass, then toss it. the olive stays.
fgchum01
manhattan, ks
5/12/2014
Absolutely WONDERFUL! No, it isn't the traditional martini - which I also enjoy on a regular basis - but it is very, very good and was the impetus for Martini Night every Friday at our house. Mmm... let's add that it is so unusual it's rather a romantic drink, too.
Anonymous
Ohio
11/22/2007
bleccchhhh!! however, i would at least yield to a correction of common wisdom regarding the historical nature of a martini- but not without adequate reliable citation and reference; please provide references or ____- off!
wlkraft
3/3/2007
It was fair. Way better "recipes" for martinis out there. To the cook from Laguna Hills: For the simple syrup recipe, just click on the words Simple Syrup in the body of the recipe. It's a link.
Anonymous
Nearly NH
3/3/2007
Absolutly terrible. A disgrace to Gin. Better! !Put bottle of Gin in freezer all day. See how little vermouth you can put in a Martini glass. Swirl around and pour out. Add thin slice of lime or three olives. Pour in very cold Gin. No Vodka allowed.
sgomer
OHIO
2/28/2007
>you mention the gin that was used, say it is not readily available, mention simple syrup, but don't include it in the mixture!!!
bssanborn
Laguna Hills, CA
2/28/2007
See Related Recipes and Cooking Tips
The 6 Martinis You Need to Know
There's no cocktail more classic than a gin martini. But even a perfect drink—usually made with gin, dry vermouth, and lemon—can get boring. First master the original and then switch up your martini game with any of these riffs on the classic.
