So, my mates and I are planning a massing 007 film fest this summer, and what better drink to enjoy such an event with than martinis, right? The problem is that we are all hella not-classy, and know nothing about decent brands and such. This is where you all come in, and educate me.
P.S. I am very intrigued by Dogfish Jin, but it seems that this will be impossible to procure, since I am over 1000 miles from the nearest distributer, and online shops are no help. Any ideas, or people who have tried it to tell me how it is?
Posts
Pick up a few bottles of Tonic and some Limes as well incase the Martinis are too strong. You can drink Gin and Tonics instead, equally as classy and very tasty.
As for a good, easy to find gin, Bombay Sapphire is really damn good. Doesn't have that "pinesol" thing going on and is good enough to sip by itself on ice. As for vermouth, you use dry vermouth and usually just a teeeny bit. Think 2oz gin and a tsp vermouth.
Like most drinks, you can alter the proportions to something you prefer more, but that's kind of the "standard." Get a shaker, put some ice in there, pour the gin in, and stir for about a minute. Pour into glass, add tsp or so of vermouth. Add an olive, pearl onion, orange peel, whatever.
Upon investigation, it seems you are correct. However, this shall not deter (me, at least) from my steadfast path of of a traditional martini, since I am not a fan of vodka. Thanks for the info, everyone, it seems like Bombay will do the trick.
Gin martinis are best with olives. Using a twist goes better with a vodka martini.
猿も木から落ちる
I'm a fan of the Burnt Martini = Scotch + Gin
But I'm also a bitter fart who doesn't like people asking to try his drink more than once in a night.
PS. Capote called a mix of gin and vodka a white angel. It's not bad actually.
Ryan M Long Photography
Buy my Prints!
I mean, marginally so, the amount of ice that will break off and melt from shaking isn't really that much if you don't shake wildly. I guess this matters if you have good gin.
But I stir it anyway.
Also, you only shake a vodka martini. Gin has botanicals in it. When you shake it you disrupt the natural balance of things in the gin and make it taste worse. Assholes shake gin martinis. Assholes drink vodka martinis.
A good martini gin on the reasonable budget side is Bombay Sapphire. It has a wide variety of botanicals (not just juniper as a traditional gin would) and as such has a very balanced flavor, making it ideal for the martini. Use Noilly Prat vermouth.
If you want to try a premium gin, Mercury London Dry Gin does the multiple botanical thing, adding orange to the juniper for a bit of a unique flavor that I find to be absolutely perfect for martinis. It's mild, no really overpowering botanicals, and has that bit of a twist to it. It's also one of the cheaper premiums, and it's pretty much my favorite gin.
South 42 or whatever the gin from New Zealand is happens to be very over priced. You may as well just get Bombay Sapphire.
If you want a gin and tonic, Tanqueray is good. It only uses juniper and as such has that distinct pine tree scent and taste, and I think ruins a decent martini, but goes nicely with tonic water. Tanqueray No. Ten is the same thing, prettier bottle, higher price tag. It's okay, but I wouldn't call it necessarily worth it.
Basically I'm saying buy Bombay Sapphire if you're not sure you'll like gin because it's the best gin you'll get at that price range and better than a good many gins you'd get at a much higher price range. And if you hate gin, you can mix bombay sapphire with orange juice and barely taste it.
If you like gin, get Mercury, it comes in an awesome erlenmeyer flask looking bottle.
And for vermouth, Noilly Prat.
CUZ THERE'S SOMETHING IN THE MIDDLE AND IT'S GIVING ME A RASH
Another important point:
You don't use ice and you don't use a shaker. You put your vermouth in the fridge and your gin in your freezer. Vermouth is only 18% alcohol content and will freeze if you leave it in a freezer for too long, gin never will. This way you get a nicely chilled martini without any of that ice bullshit.
CUZ THERE'S SOMETHING IN THE MIDDLE AND IT'S GIVING ME A RASH
While I'm all for purism and a good drink, that method would create an incredibly strong drink. While the ice does water down the flavor, it also cuts the alcohol, making the evening more than a 2-drink night
It takes me six martinis to get to the legitimately drunk stage like that. It's around a dozen that I get sloppy. It's really not that much liquor and honestly, water is not a good ingredient for a gin martini
CUZ THERE'S SOMETHING IN THE MIDDLE AND IT'S GIVING ME A RASH
Also - have it with olives. Twists are lame. There's also some rule about only having an odd number of olives - but whatever.
IMO water is never really a good ingredient to any combination of liquors. I can't stand the weird watery taste of a mixed drink held too long. It's like putting ice in milk.
Ryan M Long Photography
Buy my Prints!
Also, if you hate the taste of tonic water (like me), the Gin Rickey will be your best friend forever. Same as a GnT, but with club soda instead. Extra lime for extra delicious!
If you ever need to talk to someone, feel free to message me. Yes, that includes you.
Get some whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters.
The harder the rain, honey, the sweeter the sun.