Blood orange martini
Ah, the martini. Shaken or stirred, it’s one of literature’s favourite drinks. Bond’s martini is Gatsby’s champagne, and it’s never far from hand. It counted Churchill, Sinatra and Hemingway amongst its fans and is the classic that’s never out of style. Whether we’re talking high-rolling blackjack in an Art Deco masterpiece or a mixologist twiddling his obnoxiously-hipster moustache behind the bar, you know there’s a martini near by. Why is this important? Well, it’s not, but today we’re making a blood orange martini or three, and it feels about right.
There’s currently a bottle of blood orange gin in my cupboard - born of impulse buying blood oranges (as you do) - and from the moment it was opened it seems to be… evaporating… with some great hurry. It tasted great in a long, cold drink, but talking to friends, we turned to cocktails and with no desire to mask the flavour the word ‘martini’ seemed the one on the tip of the tongue.
Now is the perfect time for a blood orange martini. Unless of course you’re operating heavy machinery (in which case, also put your phone down!) But aside from that, now is always the time.
For me, there’s definitely a summer vibe around this blood orange martini. It’s not something you’re likely to be sipping by a roaring log fire (there’s mulled wine for that), it’s more summery than that. And by summer I don’t mean sipping five by the pool (I’d be on the floor, and you’d miss dinner…), but on a lazy summer evening when you’re dressed up and looking out to the sunset - or just pretending that’s your lifestyle, no judging here - this martini is the perfect drink to be in your hand.
Being a blood orange martini this one is a little sweeter than the traditional approach, but still not one for the faint hearted. There’s still that beautiful citrus note throughout the drink, but the gin has been softened a little by the blood orange. Careful though, they’re somewhat addictive and you may end up having a few!
Wherever you enjoy yours, here’s hoping there’s a sunset to match this drinks alluring colour.
Blood orange martini
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: Serves 2 1x
Print Recipe
Pin RecipeDescription
This cocktail is a classic, and although incredible simple in the number of ingredients, the flavours are much more complex. The trick to a great martini is how cold both it and the glass are. If you can, an iced glass is the way forward. Makes 2.
Ingredients
- Ice (quite a lot of it)
- 1 a shot of vermouth
- 4 shots of blood orange gin
- Twist of blood orange peel to garnish
Instructions
Ensure all your glasses are chilled.
Fill your cocktail shaker up with ice and add in the vermouth - it’s meant to coat the ice and the bottom of the shaker.
Add in the gin. Put the top on and gently shake. You’re not looking for fizz, you’re looking to mix the gin and vermouth and let it flow over the ice to cool it down.
Let it sit for 20 seconds to cool. Pour into the glasses - minus the ice, no one needs that - and pop the garnish on top.
Serve and watch people smile with delighted satisfaction.
- Category: Drinks
