English Martini

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (58 ratings)
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    English Martini

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English Martini image

Serve in a Martini glass

Ingredients:
1⁄2 fresh Rosemary sprig
2 oz Hayman's London Dry Gin
5⁄6 oz Elderflower liqueur
× 1 1 serving
Read about cocktail measures and measuring

How to make:

  1. Select and pre-chill a Martini glass.
  2. Prepare garnish of rosemary sprig.
  3. Strip rosemary leaves from stem and MUDDLE in base of shaker.
  4. Add other ingredients and SHAKE with ice.
  5. FINE STRAIN into chilled glass.
  6. Garnish with rosemary sprig.

Strength & taste guide:

No alcohol
Medium
Boozy
Strength 8/10
Sweet
Medium
Dry/sour
Sweet to sour 5/10
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Review:

Rosemary and sweet elderflower combine wonderfully with the gin botanicals to make an interesting and approachable, if slightly sweet "Martini".

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History:

Adapted from a drink created in 2003 at MJU at the Millennium Hotel, London, England.
Martini cocktail

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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Nicholas Wilson’s Avatar Nicholas Wilson
7th February at 20:21
Tried this with a spritz of lemon zest on top. Nicely cut through the sweetness of the elderflower and complimented the woody rosemary.
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Cameron Carter’s Avatar Cameron Carter
9th May 2024 at 20:45
I was out of London Dry gin (a rarity) and used Hayman's Old Tom instead. Same proportions and technique. Made a lovely cocktail.
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Stephen Edds’ Avatar Stephen Edds
1st May 2024 at 13:52
Whose is that amazing glass ? Thanks
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Simon Difford’s Avatar Simon Difford
1st May 2024 at 14:22
It is an Urban Bar glass from decades gone by.
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1 reply
Jonathan Goldthorpe’s Avatar Jonathan Goldthorpe
23rd April 2024 at 17:26
A most beautiful and fragrant martini. Never used rosemary before in a cocktail- fabulous
1
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William Thee’s Avatar William Thee
23rd April 2023 at 19:22
I'd like to know where I can purchase that glass.
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Paloma Difford’s Avatar Paloma Difford
24th April 2023 at 07:52
Hi William, the glass is about 15, maybe more, years old. We think it was produced at the time by Urban Bar but not available any longer.
1
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Ian Lessels’ Avatar Ian Lessels
23rd April 2023 at 18:44
1/2 sprig isn't very S.I.! I used just 1/2 ounce Elderflower and was pleased with the result.
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Danielle Something’s Avatar Danielle Something
15th December 2022 at 01:42
This is an amazing martini. I go light on the elderflower and heavy on the Plymouth. The English Martini is the reason I remember to water my rosemary.
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Bob Cook’s Avatar Bob Cook
15th October 2022 at 21:50
I made this drink with Aviation gin, because my wife isn't a huge fan of juniper but I wanted to use some of the rosemary we had. It's a very enjoyable drink, with all three elements being present. I did adjust the recipe to make it smaller, but it looks very nice in a Nick and Nora glass.
1
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Eric Stainbrook’s Avatar Eric Stainbrook
15th July 2022 at 03:28
This drink is one of my absolute favorites-- a go to. However, I prefer different proportions. I mix a 5:1 ratio, usually 2.5 oz. gin, .5 oz elderflower. Basically, I'm treating the liqueur as a vermouth stand-in. I also generally Stir rather than Shake. The gin really carries this, with the herbal and floral notes giving it a bright pop and roundness. Not too sweet.
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Frederic D.’s Avatar Frederic D.
27th June 2022 at 00:29
I didn't especially care for this one. Maybe I should have used a different gin (I had some Tanqueray to finish), or added lime juice per the suggestion below. As it was, it just read as slightly sweet pine, and not in a pleasant way.
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Simon Difford’s Avatar Simon Difford
27th June 2022 at 12:59
Sounds like Hendrick's floral notes work well with the elderflower. Happy you've found a harmonious gin.
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Frederic D.’s Avatar Frederic D.
27th June 2022 at 12:02
Update: remade this with Hendrick's and enjoyed it a lot more. I think sweetness was less an issue for me the first time than how Tanqueray just loudly overpowered the more delicate flavors of the Saint Germain and rosemary. The change of base spirit corrected that.
1
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