Current Events > ITT: I drink classic gin cocktails

(+) Yeah! (+)

Starting off with a Martini. Nothing screams more "classic" and "vintage" then the iconic white clear liquid in a martini glass with an olive (although i opt for a lemon twist served in a nick and nora glass.
It's savoury, flavourful, dry and crisp. The botanicals of the gin compared to fortified wine (vermouth) is a match made in heaven and it inspired many more more types of cocktails throughout the years. Most cocktails are arguably a spin off of a martini.
Drinking a martini feels almost like a meal

2.5oz/75ml Gin
3/4oz/22.5ml Dry Vermouth
Stir over ice to for chill and dilution and strain into a cocktail glass.
Garnish with either lemon twist or olive.

Tip: Use fresh Vermouth because Vermouth tends to go off after 3 months. Store it in the fridge rather than the pantry. Off vermouth tastes sour, murky and loses its brightness and ruins any drink it's in.
Also feel free to experiment with bitters. I use a mixture of 3 different orange bitters. Angostura, Mr Fee and Reagans


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That doesn't look like a martini glass

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I like my martinis like I like my women. Dirty af.

Looks good tho.
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Tag

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Good info about vermouth shelf life. I'll probably have to make a purge.

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Irony posted...

That doesn't look like a martini glass

It's a nick and nora glass.
I find martini glasses not functional since they tend to spill everywhere due to its odd design.

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Smashingpmkns posted...

I like my martinis like I like my women. Dirty af.

Looks good tho.

That's the other great thing about a Martini is how diverse it is :)

Asking someone how they want a martini is like 20 questions.
Vodka? Gin? Shaken? Stirred? Wet? Dirty? Dry? On Ice? Olive? Lemon?


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Any guess which cocktail this is?

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Ser_Jaker posted...

Any guess which cocktail this is?

The Aviation.

One of the hidden classics throughout the cocktail world. Originally created by a bartender named Hugo Ensslin from Hotel Wallick, New York sometime in the early 1900s. It was first published in his book named Recipes for Mix Drinks from 1916. Unfortunately Creme de Violette, which gives the drink the iconic purple/blue colour along with a slight medicinal quality stopped being produced sometime during the mid twentieth century and the drink fell out of popularity, That is why some recipes for the Aviation will omit the Creme de Violette. Fortunately many distillers over the years have re-produced Creme de Violette so we can experience the fantastic Aviation Cocktail.

The great thing about this cocktail is it tastes nothing like the colour would suggest. The foremost flaovur on the mouth is a deep rich cherry flavour with a slight medicinal quality that works well with the botanicals of the gin. Lemon juice gives it the acidity to balance out the cocktail.

2oz/60ml Gin
1/2oz/15ml Maraschino Liqueur
1/3oz/11.5ml Creme de Violette
3/4oz/22.5ml Lemon Juice
Shake and strain into a coupe glass
Garnish with either a lemon twist or Maraschino Cherry

Tip: Aviation is actually known as a "bartender's handshake" meaning if you ask for this a bar the bartender will pick you out as someone who knows their shit about cocktails and potentially works in the industry although lately I've seen it popping on cocktail menus locally. Depending on what creme violette you use will dictate the colour. I use the Bitter Truth which gives it a sky blue colour, whereas others will give it a purple hue or even reddish

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I've done legit martinis before like you're supposed to make them. Personally a cocktail like that is just way too boozy for my taste. Although I could appreciate that it had a striking taste that was appealing if sharp.

I'll throw this video in the mix:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdnj2i56Lb8

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masticatingman posted...

I've done legit martinis before like you're supposed to make them. Personally a cocktail like that is just way too boozy for my taste. Although I could appreciate that it had a striking taste that was appealing if sharp.

I'll throw this video in the mix:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdnj2i56Lb8

Great channel.
I'll also recommend other youtube channels about cocktails along with How to Drink.

The Educated Barfly (my favourite)
Steve the Bartender
How to Drink
Vlad Slickbartender

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Southside

2oz/60ml Gin
3/4oz/22.5ml Lime Juice
3/4oz/22.5ml Simple Syrup
5-6 Mint Leaves
Shake and double strain into a coupe
Garnish with mint

This is one of those drinks that will turn any gin hater into a gin lover. Just tell them its vodka and they'll love it! Essentially a gin sour with the of mint leaves. It's fragrant, uplifting and the mint packs a punch and gives the drink a very refreshing vibe.

Tip: Slap the mint before adding it to the shaker! This releases the flavour and aromas.


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My gin cocktail of choice is just a gin and tonic with lime. Personally, I hate the way vermouth tastes so I can't do martinis. I tried to get into them for a while but my palate just wouldn't let me :(

Edit: I'll just add that How to Drink is one of my favorite going right now!

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I haven't a gin cocktail ivd liked butt only had gun tunic and negroni

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Also does vermouth go bad even in the fridge? I have a 6 month old bottle in there

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SoundNetwork posted...

Also does vermouth go bad even in the fridge? I have a 6 month old bottle in there

I will definitely last longer in the fridge but it will go off eventually. You can tell if the vermouth goes sour/off by smelling of tasting. Sometimes it lastes longer than 3 months but it just depends. Maybe yours is fine.
Maybe try buying a fresh bottle of vermouth and comparing. That's how I got to compare and learn the difference.

Vermouth is afterall just wine essentially. And wine goes off. Except vermouth is fortified so it lasts longer.

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SoundNetwork posted...

I haven't a gin cocktail ivd liked butt only had gun tunic and negroni

There's so many Gin cocktails to try. Like a Corpse Reviver 2, Ramos Gin Fizz, Bramble, 20th Century.... etc etc.

I suspect most people who hate gin only drunk bottom shelf shit and got sick and hungover : (

Gin is great, especially for cocktails.

I also love a Negroni but unfortunately I have no sweet vermouth.

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Speaking of the 20th Century... here it is!!!

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I only drink trash gin with trash tonic

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20th century....

Created by bartender C.A Tuck to commemorate the Twentieth Century Limited train which ran between New York and Chicago from 1902 to 1967. Early 1900s cocktail.

1.5oz/45ml Gin
3/4oz/22.5ml Lillet Blanc
1/2oz/15ml Creme de Cacao
3/4oz/22.5ml Lemon Juice
Shake and double strain.
Garnish with lemon twist

Tip: Lillet Blanc supposedly changed the recipe around mid 1900s. Use Cocchi Americano for a more accurate representation of the original specs of the cocktail. I only had lillet blanc on hand.


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A Bees Knees



2oz/60ml Gin
3/4oz22.5ml/ Honey Syrup
3/4oz/22.5ml Lemon Juice
Shake and Strain into coupe
No garnish

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