The Perfect Martini

While the Classic Martini may get most of the attention, it doesn’t mean there aren’t variants.  For those that can’t decide between dry and sweet vermouth, the Perfect Martini is designed for you.  Splitting the dry vermouth, and eliminating orange bitters, The Perfect Martini ends up pulling in a subtle sweetness, and an added complexity of herbed red wine.  The resulting martini is well balanced, and beautifully tinted.

• 3 Parts Gin
• 1/2 Part Sweet Vermouth
• 1/2 Part Dry Vermouth
• Lemon Twist – Garnish

Combine all ingredients but the lemon in a mixing glass.  Add ice, stir until chilled, double strain into a chilled coupe.  Garnish with lemon twist.

The Perfect Martini Notes

The Perfect Martini isn’t particularly different than it’s classic cousin.

• Gin  – Generally London Dry is most accepted, but feel free to experiment with Old Tom’s or Plymouth
• Sweet Vermouth – As always, splurging will make a better drink, and while it’s not necessary here, it will be more helpful than in a more complicated cocktail.  Personally, I think Martini does fine.
• Dry Vermouth – There’s not a lot of ingredients here, so quality matters.  Dolin Dry works well here.