Sophisticated sweetness: that’s what’s on offer here, and what could be better for a Valentine’s Day drink?
Cocktail aficionados will recognize this drink as a variation on the Martinez, a classic 19th century cocktail sometimes thought to be the ancestor of the contemporary martini. The classic drink combines gin, sweet vermouth and maraschino liqueur in a highly sippable balance of bitter and sweet, enlivened by a dash of bitters and a twist of lemon peel.
This version dials up the cherry just a bit with a little more Maraschino and a cherry garnish, adding a touch more sweetness to the classic formula to celebrate our upcoming national holiday uv luv.
By the way, don’t confuse the flavor of real Maraschino liqueur with your supermarket’s creepy fluorescent jar of cherries embalmed with high fructose corn syrup and red dye number-whatever. The latter is an abomination of the agricultural industrial complex while the former is a delicious artisanal spirit made from Marasca cherries from the Dalmatian coast. It’s a worthy addition to your bar (a key ingredient in drinks such as the Aviation and the Last Word) and something you can use to make your own truly delicious Maraschino cherries from dried, frozen or fresh sour cherries.
To romance!
Recipe
(for one drink)
2 ounces of your favorite gin
3/4 ounce sweet vermouth
1/2 ounce Luxardo Maraschino liqueur
a dash of Angostura bitters
a dash of orange bitters (optional)
Maraschino or brandied cherries to garnish
Pour the gin, vermouth, Maraschino liqueur and bitters into a shaker or pitcher filled with ice. Shake or stir vigorously.
Pour into a coupe or cocktail glass and garnish with the cherries.
