Martinique

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (6 ratings)

Photographed in a Retro Coupe

Ingredients:
1 23 oz Rhum J.M. Terroir Volcanique
16 oz La Fée Parisienne absinthe
14 oz Monin Grenadine Syrup
14 oz Lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
1 oz Orange juice (freshly squeezed)
× 1 1 serving
Read about cocktail measures and measuring

How to make:

  1. Select and pre-chill a Coupe glass.
  2. Prepare garnish of orange zest twist.
  3. SHAKE all ingredients with ice.
  4. FINE STRAIN into chilled glass.
  5. EXPRESS orange zest twist over the cocktail and use as garnish.

Strength & taste guide:

No alcohol
Medium
Boozy
Strength 7/10
Sweet
Medium
Dry/sour
Sweet to sour 7/10

Review:

The Hotel Martinique's original signature cocktail was based on Jamaican rum but, given the name, Martinique agricole rum seemed more appropriate. Other than this swap I've respected the line-up of ingredients and arrived at proportions by trial and error.

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History:

My interpretation of the 1930s signature cocktail from New York City's Hotel Martinique.

THE MARTINIQUE
This was a house secret but we can at least give you the ingredients. It was made with
Jamaica Rum
Absinthe
Grenadine
Orange Juice
Little Lemon Juice

New York City's Hotel Martinique's cocktail book, 1938

When Max Green assumed the role of bar director of Hotel Martinique's The Press Club Grill in 2023 he used the vintage menu above to reimagine the hotel's signature cocktail with the following recipe [courtesy of The Mix with Robert Simonson].

• 1 ounce Banks 5 Island Rum
• ½ ounce Appleton Reserve rum
• ¼ ounce Rhum JM Blanc
• ½ ounce Grand Marnier
• ¾ ounce Lemon
• ½ ounce Grenadine
Rinse a coupe with absinthe. Combine other ingredients in a cocktail shaker half-filled with ice. Hard shake until chilled, about 5-7 seconds. Double strain into waiting glass. Garnish with lime wedge.

Max Green, The Press Club Grill, 2023

Nutrition:

One serving of Martinique contains 197 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 1.3 standard drinks
  • 18.3% alc./vol. (18.3° proof)
  • 18.3 grams of pure alcohol

Difford’s Guide remains free-to-use thanks to the support of the brands in green above. Values stated for alcohol and calorie content, and number of drinks an ingredient makes should be considered approximate.

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John Hinojos’ Avatar John Hinojos
16th April 2023 at 00:24
Being a big, big fan of aged Agricole rhum, loved this. You must like the funk of a aged Agricole. The flavour of the rhum is the primary taste. The Absinthe adds a little hint of herbs, and the citrus softens the entire cocktail. In my favourites.