MARTINI;
Whenever you close your eyes and imagine a ‘cocktail’, chances are the first image to spring to mind will be that of a V-shaped glass with a long stem, and in all likelihood containing a couple of olives and a measure of clean white liquor. The ‘Martini’ is the quintessential cocktail, but much of what is served as a Martini cocktail today is a long way from the origional cocktail the Martinez.
If it is served in a Martini glass, it does not necessarily follow that it is a Martini cocktail.
As a general rule, drinks which are called Martini cocktails have a strong ‘base’ of a clean white spirit – almost always a healthy measure of Vodka or Gin. Then subtle flavourings and additions are added to soften or enhance the properties of the base. When this is done in a balanced and appropriate way, the result is a work of art!
When making a Martini cocktail for your loyal friends, there are a couple of key points to determine. Firstly, would they like Vodka or Gin. This is a great opportunity to tailor the cocktails to your friends’ tastes. How dry would they like it? Would they like olives or a twist? And finally, would they like it shaken or stirred? It is a proven rule of the bar that requests for shaken Martini cocktails always go up whenever a James Bond movie is released . . . Most people prefer a stirred Martini cocktail, but it is good to remember that the perfect Martini cocktail is exectly the person who will be drinking it likes it . . . even if they are only quoting from a film!
As a general rule, make a Vodka Martini ‘drier’ than a Gin Martini, as the taste of Vermouth is more pronounced when mixed with Vodka.
The following recipe is for a very dry Vodka Martini, whith a twist of Grapefruit. Grapefruit enhances the botanicals of Vodka beautifuly!
2 oz Belvedere Vodka,
5 mls Martini Extra Dry Vermouth,
1 Grapefruit Zest
Chill your cocktail glass with ice and prepare your garnish. Then fill a mixing glass with ice and stir gently to chill the glass. Once frosted, strain away any excess liquid and top with more ice. Add Vermouth, stir well to coat the ice and strain away the Vermouth. Top with ice again, this time add your Vodka and stir well. Strain into your chilled cocktail glass and garnish with your fresh Garpefruit zest.
Jay