Martinez Cocktail Recipe

The Martinez stands as the sophisticated predecessor to the modern martini.

This pre-Prohibition gem combines the botanical complexity of gin with the sweet depth of vermouth, creating a drink that balances sweetness and strength.

If you’re looking to expand your cocktail knowledge beyond the familiar, the Martinez offers a perfect entry into classic mixology with its rich flavor profile and storied past.

What Goes Into a Martinez Cocktail?

The Martinez requires just a few quality ingredients to create its distinctive flavor:

• 2 oz Old Tom gin (or London Dry gin)
• 1 oz sweet vermouth
• 1/4 oz maraschino liqueur
• 2 dashes orange bitters
• Lemon twist for garnish

The magic of this cocktail lies in the balance between the gin’s botanical notes and the vermouth’s sweet complexity. The maraschino adds subtle cherry sweetness while the bitters provide aromatic depth.

How to Mix the Perfect Martinez

Creating this classic cocktail requires precision but not complexity:

1. Fill a mixing glass with ice
2. Pour in the gin, sweet vermouth, maraschino liqueur, and bitters
3. Stir gently for about 30 seconds until well-chilled
4. Strain into a chilled coupe or martini glass
5. Express the oils from a lemon twist over the drink
6. Garnish with the lemon twist

The stirring technique is crucial here—you want to chill and dilute the drink just enough without making it watery. Aim for smooth, deliberate stirring rather than aggressive agitation.

Need a Substitute? Try These Alternatives

Can’t find all the traditional ingredients? Try these substitutions:

For Old Tom gin:

• London Dry gin with 1/4 oz simple syrup
• Genever for a maltier flavor profile

For sweet vermouth:

• Punt e Mes (use slightly less as it’s more bitter)
• Equal parts dry vermouth and a splash of simple syrup

For maraschino liqueur:

• Cherry Heering (use half the amount)
• 1 tsp of simple syrup with a few drops of almond extract

Don’t have orange bitters? Use Angostura or even a dash of Cointreau in a pinch.

What Makes the Martinez Special

The Martinez stands out for its perfect balance of sweet and strong elements. Unlike its more famous descendant, the Martini, the Martinez offers:

• A sweeter, more approachable flavor profile for those new to spirit-forward drinks
• Complex layering of botanical, fruity, and bitter notes
• Versatility that works across seasons and occasions
• A taste of cocktail history in every sip

The drink feels both vintage and timeless, offering a window into America’s rich mixology traditions while remaining relevant to modern palates.

The Birth and Evolution of the Martinez

The Martinez emerged in the late 19th century, with several competing origin stories:

The most common tale places its creation in the town of Martinez, California, where a bartender allegedly created it for a gold miner who wanted something special after striking it rich.

Another version credits Jerry Thomas, the father of American mixology, who included a recipe for the drink in his 1887 “Bartender’s Guide.

What we know for certain is that the Martinez predates the Martini and likely influenced its creation. The drink fell from favor during Prohibition but has enjoyed a revival thanks to the craft cocktail movement’s focus on pre-Prohibition classics.

The original recipes called for Old Tom gin, a slightly sweeter style than today’s London Dry. As gin styles evolved, so did the Martinez, though purists still insist on Old Tom for authenticity.

Tasting Notes: What to Expect

The Martinez delivers a multi-layered flavor experience:

• First sip: Sweet vermouth dominates with rich, herbal notes
• Mid-palate: Gin’s botanicals emerge, particularly juniper and citrus
• Finish: Subtle cherry from the maraschino with a gentle bitter backbone

The texture feels silky and substantial, with a pleasant warmth from the spirits. Unlike the crisp, clean profile of a Martini, the Martinez offers warmth and complexity with a touch of sweetness that makes it more approachable for many drinkers.

The overall flavor profile sits at the intersection of sweet, herbal, and strong—a combination that feels both indulgent and sophisticated.

How to Serve Your Martinez

Presentation enhances the Martinez experience:

• Always serve in a chilled glass—coupe or martini glasses work best
• No ice in the serving glass—this drink should be served up
• A proper lemon twist adds both aroma and visual appeal
• Serve between 35-40°F for optimal flavor release
• Present alongside the mixing tools for a touch of theater

The Martinez works well as:

• An aperitif before dinner
• A sophisticated nightcap
• The feature cocktail for a small gathering

The drink deserves attention, so serve it when you have time to appreciate its complexity rather than as casual party fare.

Food Pairings That Complement the Martinez

The Martinez works beautifully with specific flavor profiles:

• Salty snacks like marcona almonds or olives cut through the sweetness
• Aged cheeses, particularly manchego or gouda
• Charcuterie featuring cured meats like prosciutto or soppressata
• Dark chocolate truffles match the drink’s richness
• Smoked salmon canapés create a luxurious pairing

The key is finding foods that either complement the drink’s sweetness or provide contrast through salt, fat, or umami elements.

For a simple but effective pairing, set out a small bowl of spiced nuts and some good quality dark chocolate alongside your Martinez.

The Martinez by the Numbers: ABV and Strength

The Martinez ranks as a strong cocktail with an approximate ABV of 25-30%, depending on the specific brands used.

This strength comes from:

• Gin (typically 40-47% ABV)
• Sweet vermouth (usually 15-18% ABV)
• Maraschino liqueur (around 32% ABV)

The final strength makes it comparable to other classic cocktails like the Manhattan or Negroni. With its high alcohol content, the Martinez should be sipped slowly and respectfully—part of its appeal lies in taking time to appreciate its complex flavors.

One standard Martinez cocktail typically contains about 1.5 standard drinks worth of alcohol.

Nutritional Profile of a Martinez

For those tracking their intake, here’s what you’ll find in a standard Martinez:

• Calories: Approximately 180-220 calories
• Carbohydrates: 10-15g (primarily from the sweet vermouth and maraschino)
• Sugar: 8-12g
• Fat: 0g
• Protein: 0g

The calorie content comes almost entirely from alcohol and sugars. The Martinez contains no significant vitamins or minerals, though the botanicals in gin and vermouth do contain trace plant compounds.

While not a low-calorie option, the Martinez represents a reasonable choice for an occasional indulgence, especially given that most people sip it slowly rather than consuming multiple servings.

Modern Twists on the Classic Martinez

The cocktail renaissance has inspired bartenders to create variations that honor the original while exploring new flavor directions:

• White Martinez: Uses blanc vermouth instead of sweet for a lighter profile
• Aged Martinez: Barrel-aged for several weeks to develop deeper, oak-influenced flavors
• Smoky Martinez: Incorporates a touch of peated Scotch for complexity
• Fall Martinez: Adds a cinnamon and star anise syrup for seasonal warmth

These variations maintain the spirit of the original while offering new taste experiences for adventurous drinkers.

Have you tried making classics with different base spirits? A rum Martinez made with aged rum instead of gin creates an entirely different but equally compelling drink.

Why You Should Try a Martinez Today

The Martinez deserves a place in your cocktail repertoire for several reasons:

• It offers a taste of cocktail history rarely experienced in modern bars
• The flavor profile bridges sweet and strong drinks, making it accessible to different tastes
• Making one at home impresses guests with your cocktail knowledge
• It uses ingredients that work in many other classic cocktails, making them good additions to your home bar

This cocktail represents the perfect balance of accessibility and sophistication—complex enough to interest cocktail enthusiasts but approachable enough for curious beginners.

Try making a Martinez tonight and connect with generations of cocktail lovers who have enjoyed this balanced, complex drink. Your palate will thank you for the introduction to this classic that time nearly forgot.