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Made with equal parts gin, rosso vermouth and dry vermouth the result is almost sherry-like and suits the aperitivo moment. However, if you want that spirituous...
I made a slight tweak to the recipe as I didn't have orange bitters so decided to add a little Luxardo Aperitivo instead (I thought this closer than the Australian Bitters alternative I had).
I made a mistake and went for my usual stuffed olives garnish, so removed and added orange zest instead - it didn't seem to suffer too much!...
I will be trying the same cocktail using blanco vermouth which ought to look more like your typical martini.
Hmm - it seems blanco is sweeter than rosso so 2:1:1 Gin:Dry:Blanco is still pretty sweet so the Three Two One Martini looks to be a better option. Still tasty, just not "perfect"...
The Queen's cocktail is also 1/2, 1/4, 1/4 but has crushed pineapple (in The Savoy Cocktail book). But I must say that equal parts goes down quite easily as well!
Knowing the era this would have been developed, it is exactly what I was expecting. Sherry and Vermouth were still considered the main aperitif. It is a blending of the American and British that Craddock provided a cocktail that blended both styles.
While I think it tastes very nice, and really shows off the vermouth.. the gin seems a bit reduced and the botanicals get a bit lost in there. For my preference I'd amp up the gin or tone down the vermouths, just enough to let more of the gin bite to come through.
My (mini) version:
30ml Copperwave (Hunter Valley) Gin (I keep mine in the freezer - adds a great texture to the martini)
15ml Regal Rogue Bold Red (which is quite a dry vermouth)
15ml Dolin Blanc vermouth (a bit sweeter, to balance the Bold Red)
Slips down a treat...
Whilst I am a HUGE fan of filthy/dry/vodka martinis and lately gibsons, sometimes, I fancy something a tad sweeter and less like rocket fuel ...and this fits the bill perfectly plus it´s a doddle to make. Thank you Mr Difford.
Thanks to the comments on this page, I have just revisited the Perfect Martini, and as you say, it's a tad sweeter and easier. And delicious. Thank you!
Big +1 to this! The "sherry-like" description is fitting. A nice take on a martini to mix it up for someone like me who usually prefers them nice and dry.
I made a mistake and went for my usual stuffed olives garnish, so removed and added orange zest instead - it didn't seem to suffer too much!...
I will be trying the same cocktail using blanco vermouth which ought to look more like your typical martini.