Left Bank Martini

I generally struggle with martinis but with this variant I am disappointed that my glass is already finished. The temptation to make another one is strong. I still have stuff to do though… Ugh, sometimes it sucks being a responsible adult.

I finally managed to get my hands on a 2024 vintage of Pascal Jolivet Pouilly-Fumé. Yes, it's not a Chablis but keeping in mind Sauvignon Blanc was used before, it makes sense. I then decided to make this drink in three ways: shaking, stirring and throwing. Shaking was disappointing, with it being overly winey and not in a good way and the rest of the components blending into a bland melange. Stirring it resulted in a drink agreeable with Difford's Guide's review: aromatic, spirituous and quite intense, albeit balanced. For me, my favourite was throwing. The drink still had a spirituous bite, but it allowed for the lighter citrus notes of the wine and the floral blossom quality of the elderflower to really shine through.

I had Chardonnay and Lillet Blanc in, so after reading others' comments I was in a bit of a quandary about which to go for. Glad I went for the original Chardonnay in the end, as it sits the cocktail in a nicely ambiguous place between sweet and dry that gives it an air of sophistication. Lillet Blanc would have made it unambiguously sweet.

An excellent recipe - but I am surprised at how many commentors enjoyed it with even a bit more sweetness (e.g. Lillet blanc for the white wine). I don't care for dry vermouth, so I no longer stock it, and keep bianco vermouth instead. The gin keeps this in the martini family, but the sweetness and floral notes from the elderflower liqueur, chardonnay and bianco vermouth add substantially to my enjoyment of the cocktail. Definitely recommend.

Fantastic cocktail all around, absolutely one of my favourites.

I don’t normally have spare white wine hanging around, so have been waiting to try this for quite a while, and was not disappointed. Will repay careful balancing of the sweet-dry element. Definitely a recipe to keep in your arsenal.

Brilliant! The Martini for those who don't like Martinis.

We're a huge fan of this one, but made with Sky Wave London Dry Gin and Lillet Blanc as p to a dry vermouth. It's therefore a little sweeter but nonetheless delicious.

This is a fantastic drink! Not as boozy as a traditional martini yet interesting to martini drinkers. Even shaken it's clear in the glass and the lime zest is the perfect finish to brighten up the elderflower liqueur.

A wonderfully sophisticated and delicate Martini. But since we're on the Left Bank of the Seine, we decided to see our good host's recipe and raise it by adding two drops of absinthe. Ooh la la.