So the question on your mind is why this drink over a regular martini?  The Martinez is a unique drink for any night on the town.  This weekend honor the end of January, the celebration of your New Year’s Resolution, and a celebration to yourself.

 The grandfather to the classic Martini, the Martinez embodies an air of sophistication, a little class, and a delicious punch.  It’s a little on the sweet side, so a couple of these should do fine for the night.  It starts with equal parts gin and sweet vermouth, and this alone distinguishes it in two ways from the modern martini. You then add a teaspoon of maraschino liqueur and either Angostura or orange bitters with a twist lemon peel over cocktail to express its oils. Rub rim of glass with peel and discard.  Brush off that white tuxedo jacket, call some friends and hit the town.  The goal of having this drink is to celebrate your life and look classy while doing it.

THE MARTINEZ

• 1 1/2 ounce Old Tom gin – (Your preference gin works well too)
• 1 1/2 ounce sweet vermouth (Carpano Antica in this works!)
• 1 teaspoon maraschino liqueur
• 2 dashes orange bitters
• Lemon twist, for garnish

Fill a mixing glass with ice. Add gin, sweet vermouth, maraschino liqueur, and orange bitters. Stir until very cold then strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Twist lemon peel over cocktail to express its oils. Rub rim of glass with peel and discard.

Make sure you drink this drink in a coupe glass.  Below are some images of this weekends dueling weapon.

~Drink Honorably