Get a kick from the Gunpowder Martini. (©Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin)
By Jennifer McKee
June 19 is National Martini Day! To celebrate, we’ve rounded up classic and creative martini recipes made with gin, vodka and even one with tequila. Enjoy!
Gin Recipes
Gunpowder Martini, made with Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin
2 oz. Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin
.5 oz. Boissiere Dry Vermouth
2 dashes of grapefruit bitters
1 bar spoon of gunpowder tea
Add the Drumshanbo Gin, Boissiere Vermouth, bitters and gunpowder tea to a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with fresh lemon zest.
Classic Martini from Wonderbird Spirits
Pre-chilled coupe or martini glass
Wonderbird No. 61
A solid white vermouth (Lustau or Dolin)
Lemon or olives depending on taste
Add two ounces of Wonderbird and a quarter ounce of vermouth to a stirring vessel filled with ice (if only a shaker is available, use that); either stir or shake for a full 25-30 seconds—cold is the key! Pour the contents into the chilled glass. Garnish with a lemon peel and one or two blue cheese-stuffed olives. Enjoy with a good friend!
Vibe Check Martini made with Bently Heritage‘s Juniper Grove Atrium Gin
2.5 oz. Juniper Grove Atrium Gin
.5 oz Grilled Peach Infused Vermouth
1 dash peach bitters
Add all ingredients into an ice-filled, chilled stirring glass. Stir for 20 seconds, or until properly diluted, and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a slice of grilled peach.
Grilled Peach Infused Vermouth:
1 bottle of high quality dry vermouth
2 ripe yellow peaches
Preheat grill to 550 degrees. Cut peaches in half and remove pits, rub cut side slightly with vegetable oil. Grill for three minutes, rotate 45 degrees, and grill an additional two minutes for perfect diamond grill marks. Cut one and a half peaches into small pieces and place in an airtight jar. Pour vermouth over peaches and seal; store for two days until ready to use.
Darnley’s View Ginger Martini
2 oz. Darnley’s View Spiced Gin
1 knob ginger
.5 oz. simple syrup
Muddle ginger in the bottom of the shaker. Add remaining ingredients and fill with cubed ice. Shake rapidly and double strain into glass. Garnish with a slither of ginger.
NOLET’S Cucumber Martini
2 oz. NOLET’S Silver Gin
1 oz. simple syrup
1 oz. lemon juice
Dash celery bitters
Cucumber
Muddle cucumber with simple syrup and lemon juice in a mixing tin. Add NOLET’S Silver, ice and shake well. Strain into a martini glass and add a dash of celery bitters. Garnish with a cucumber wheel.
Grace Martini, made with Grace O’Malley Heather-Infused Gin
2 oz. Grace O’Malley Heather-Infused Irish Gin
1 oz. sweet white vermouth
1 tsp. olive brine (from the olive jar)
Optional: 4 dashes of olive bitters
Fill a mixing glass with ice cubes and add the ingredients. Stir on ice, then strain into a coupe or martini glass. Add a green olive. Tip: Chill the glass in the freezer before serving.
The Debbie Gibson, made with Bootlegger New York Craft Barrel Aged Gin
2.5 oz. Bootlegger Gin
1 oz. pickled red onion brine (see below)
.5 oz. Dolin dry vermouth
Pinch of salt
Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass. Add ice and stir. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a raw radish slice.
Red onion brine
1 large red onion, peeled and sliced very thin
3/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup water
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
1–2 tablespoons white granular sugar
Combine cider, water, salt and sugar in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer. In a mason jar or bowl, add mixture with the sliced onions. Let sit for 30 minutes.
Vodka Recipes
Bently Heritage Field Day Martini, made with Source One Vodka
2.5 oz. Source One Vodka
0.5 oz. dry vermouth
2 green apple slices
Muddle green apple in a mixing glass; add vodka and vermouth. Stir over ice until full dilution is achieved. Garnish with a blue cheese stuffed olive and fresh apple slices.
Broken Martini made with Broken Shed Vodka
3 oz. Broken Shed Vodka
Splash of olive brine
Garnish: Three olives on a toothpick
Add Broken Shed Vodka and a splash of olive brine to a shaker with ice. Shake, stir and strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with three olives on a toothpick.
One Great Tequila Recipe
Partida Anejo Cristalino Martini
2 oz. Partida Añejo Cristalino
.75 oz. sweet white vermouth
.25 oz. lemon juice
2 dashes orange bitters
Shake all ingredients in a shaker and double strain over chilled martini glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.
