Martinez Cocktail: Timeless Gin Classic
This article contains affiliate links. We may receive compensation if you make a purchase using one of these links at no additional cost to you. See our Disclaimers and Terms of Use for more information.
You probably aren’t familiar with the Martinez unless you’re either a cocktail connoisseur or a history buff. But once you try this classic gin drink, you’ll surely be a fan. Discover its story and then learn how to craft one at home in just five minutes.
We never heard of the drink until our sweet obsession with Luxardo maraschino cherries motivated us to buy a bottle of Luxardo maraschino liqueur. The liqueur’s deep flavors piqued our curiosity to find Luxardo-based tipples. It wasn’t long until we read about the Martinez. The cocktail allegedly inspired the Manhattan and has elements reminiscent of Italy’s Negroni.
It wasn’t much longer until we crafted a Martinez at home in just five minutes, which left us with one question: Why isn’t the Martinez cocktail more popular?
What Is the Martinez Cocktail?
Never heard of a Martinez? Don’t feel bad. Although the classic drink is as timeless as a Manhattan or Martini, it has flown under the radar for decades if not longer. But what is it?
The Martinez is a sophisticated cocktail heavyweight that features no fewer than four alcoholic ingredients: gin, sweet vermouth, maraschino liqueur and Angostura bitters. It’s also a member of the classic cocktail centenarian club along with the Mint Julep, Old Fashioned and Sazerac.
History of the Martinez Cocktail
If you’re thinking that the Martinez and the Gin Martini have some similarities, you’re not mistaken. Aside from starting with the same six letters, both cocktails feature gin and vermouth.
You might also think that the Martini inspired the Martinez since it’s by far the more popular of the two drinks and has achieved cocktail icon status. However, in this regard, you would be wrong.
Research reveals that the Martinez was invented in the late 19th century and predates the Martini by decades. In fact, the Martinez, originally crafted with Old Tom gin, very well may have inspired the Martini’s creation. The two pre-Prohibition gin drinks are that similar.
As often happens with cocktail history, things get fuzzier in terms of who deserves credit for inventing the Martinez. One legend credits the creation to a California bartender named Martinez while another asserts that the name came from its possible birthplace in a Martinez, California.
Discover pre-Prohibition cocktails.
Ingredients
The Martinez is a serious cocktail as evidenced by the following list of its high-octane ingredients:
You probably have three of the necessary Martinez liquors – dry gin, sweet vermouth and Angostura bitters – in your bar. We use French gin, Italian vermouth and Angostura Bitters to quickly craft Martinez cocktails at home. However, you can get creative based on the liquor brands that you love and have on hand.
The fourth liquor, maraschino liqueur, is the outlier and a bit more obscure. However, you won’t regret buying a bottle since it’s also an ingredient in cocktails like the Aviation and Hemingway Daiquiri. At least that’s what happened to us after we special-ordered a bottle of Luxardo maraschino liqueur at a local Lisbon liqueur shop.
Ingredient quantities are detailed in the printable recipe card below.
How to Craft a Martinez Cocktail
The first step in crafting a Martinez is to measure the gin, sweet vermouth and maraschino liqueur. We use a Japanese jigger but any jigger will suffice. For example, you could use a small angled measuring cup if you don’t have a jigger.
Buy a Japanese jigger from Amazon if you need a jigger or want an inexpensive upgrade.
The second step is to pour the four liquors into a mixing glass. Another option is to use the bottom of our Boston shaker since it’s airtight and easy to use.
The third step is to add two dashes of Angostura bitters.
The fourth step is to add ice and stir with a bar spoon until the liquors are combined and chilled.
The final step is to strain the amber cocktail into a martini glass.
You could also use a coupe glass. Your cocktail will taste great regardless of the type of cocktail glass that you use.
Variations
If you’re feeling creative or want to stretch your mixology muscles, try the following Martinez cocktail alternatives:
Discover 10 essential bar tools for the home mixologist.
Martinez Recipe
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces gin
- 1½ ounces vermouth (sweet)
- ¼ ounce maraschino liqueur
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- 1 orange peel (garnish)
- ice cubes (for stirring)
Instructions
- Pour gin, sweet vermouth, maraschino liqueur and bitters into a mixing glass.
- Add ice and stir until ingredients are mixed and chilled.
- Strain into a coupe glass.
- Express the orange peel by twisting it over the glass and rubbing it along the rim. Then drop it into the glass as garnish.
Notes
- You can use a martini glass if you don’t have a coupe glass.
Nutrition
💡 Frequently Asked Questions
The Martinez is a classic pre-Prohibition cocktail crafted with gin, sweet vermouth, maraschino liqueur and Angostura bitters.
The Martini and Martinez are almost identical. The difference is that the Martini is crafted with dry vermouth while the Martinez is crafted with sweet vermouth.
The Martinez cocktail’s history is a mystery. While we can guess that its inventor was named Martinez, nobody knows for sure.
Dry Gin, Sweet Vermouth, Maraschino Liqueur, Angostura Bitters, Orange Peel (garnish) and Ice
The Martinez is stirred, not shaken.
We like to serve this cocktail in a small martini glass, but you could use a coupe glass instead.
📍 Pin This Recipe
