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Intimate Martini

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (58)
Intimate Martini image
Measurements in:
Serves:
1
Ingredients
2 fl oz Ketel One Vodka (from freezer)
2⁄3 fl oz Luxardo Apricot Albicocca Liqueur
1⁄2 fl oz Strucchi Dry Vermouth (chilled)
3 dash Orange Bitters by Angostura

Read about cocktail measures and measuring

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How to make

Glassware

Serve in a Martini glass

Prepare

  1. Select and pre-chill a MARTINI GLASS.
  2. Prepare garnish of orange zest twist.

Method

  1. STIR all ingredients with ice.
  2. FINE STRAIN into chilled glass.

Garnish

  1. EXPRESS orange zest twist over the cocktail and use as garnish.

Flavour Profile

No alcohol
Medium
Boozy
Sweet
Medium
Dry/sour
More cocktails with similar strength and taste profile

Health & Nutrition

Nutrition:

One serving of Intimate Martini contains 194 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 1.9 standard drinks
  • 27.05% alc./vol. (54.11° proof)
  • 26 grams of pure alcohol

Allergens:

Recipe contains the following allergens:

Values stated for alcohol and calorie content, and number of drinks an ingredient makes should be considered approximate.

History

This cocktail featured in our first Difford's Guide book, published in 2001, and has been in every edition since. The recipe is from my own hand-written note for an "Intimate" cocktail in my copy of Mark Torre's 1984 The Bartender's Cherry, 2nd Edition.

I made many such notes in this, my first cocktail book, over the course of 1991, the year after I bought my liquor store and started developing my interest in cocktails. Sadly, I didn't record where I came across the "Intimate", just the recipe. However, this dates the cocktail's origins to before 1991.

These notes, along with recipes from the book, served as the basis for the database that drives this website. As with many of the other recipes, I've tweaked this one much over the decades.

INTIMATE
1 Vodka
1 Dry vermouth
1 Apricot brandy
3 dash Orange bitters
Shake Lemon peel & olive

Simon Difford, hand-written note, 1991

Review

Sweet apricot dried and balanced by vermouth and bitters. Surprisingly complex and pleasant.

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$2.52 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 12.5 cocktails.
Shipping and applicable tax calculated at checkout.


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Gallery

Comments & Discussion

Jeremy Harrold
Pleasant.
It’s damned a little by faint praise. Easy to drink with the bitters moderating the sweetness. The Vodka base unfortunately doesn’t give it any true substance.
score: 1
Kjell Eriksson Premium Member
Having experimented for a while with different variations on the classic Martini theme (my most successful attempts being what I call Plymouth Apple Martini, 80 ml Plymouth Gin, 20 ml regular Martini Extra Dry and 20 ml Joseph Cartron Liqueur de Pomme Verte), I have also tried adding Apricot Brandy, with the same proportions as the green apple one above (I like my drinks to last). I found this Martini a bit to intimate with the apricot taste, so prefer my own recipe. I used Hendrick's Gin, De Kuyper Apricote Brandy and Martini Extra Dry. A more subtle infusion of the apricot tang.
score: 0
Diane Denison
I used Dolin blanc vermouth and Rothman Apricot. I think I'll add it to my late night rotation. It's not overly sweet to me compared to other popular cocktails. I'm more of a gin drinker than vodka, but some friends left a big bottle of vodka from New Year's and this is as good of a use for it as any. Plus, I have had the Apricot liqueur for a while. This is a great use for it.
score: 1
John CARR Premium Member
On the sweet side but still dry enough to serve as a post prandial palate cleanser. Lovely, delicate flavours. Be sure to use your best ingredients!
score: 1
Calvin Grant Premium Member
What a marvelous martini! Especially liked how the orange and apricot flavors interplayed. Think fresh fruit. Like John, I used Rothman & Winter. I find it more apricot forward and less syrupy than Luxardo's. More of a 6.5 than a 5 on the sweet dry/sour scale with my ingredients. Destillerie Purkhart needs to get Simon a sample IMO.
score: 2
Jon Pidwerbecki
Great after dinner cocktail. I agree a bit sweet. I might recommend 15 ml of apricot brandy.
score: 2
Calvin Grant Premium Member
Greetings Jon. I always like to check the 'recent discussions' section of the home page when logging in and saw your comment. Checked out the ingredients and decided this was exactly what I wanted to try tonight. Thanks! Cheers.
score: 2
John CARR Premium Member
My vermouth was well past its best, tho had been stored in fridge with Coravin, bumped it up to about 30ml (kept adding increments of 5ml till it balanced), de kuyper apricot 20ml, and was very pleased with the result. Would happily make again with a fresh bottle of vermouth.
score: 1
John Hinojos Premium Member
A great night cap. A bit sweet but very flavourful. Used Rothman and Winter Orchard Apricot. Subtle and perfect.
score: 2
Letti Penguin Premium Member
This is really nice, subtle but delightful. Made with Giffard abricot du rousillion, which is an excellent apricot brandy.
score: 2

View 8 comments and discussion

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Difford’s Shop logo
$2.52 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 12.5 cocktails.
Shipping and applicable tax calculated at checkout.


Orders are processed by a licensed Fulproof retailer. The buy now button is added simply for convenience.

Checkout

* May not include all ingredients. Price per cocktail is an estimate based on cost of one cocktail with ingredients shown above and does not include shipping.

Visit Difford’s Shop USA

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