martini advice

[fizguy]

Next time I make a trip to the mega-liquor store I plan to pick up some scotch, some gin, and some vermouth.

I have convinced myself that I like tanqueray better than bombay sapphire so the gin will either be tanq or beefeater, depending on the price differential. I enjoy a nice gin and tonic during the summer.

I would also like to make a martini so my question is...what kind of vermouth should I get? I am a noob as far as this goes.

[yourchoice]

The simple answer is dry vermouth = Martini, sweet vermouth = Manhatten.

If you're asking for what kind of vermouth, I'll let some others answer that...I use so little it hardly matters

[stevefrench]

Martini & Rossi extra dry vermouth is all I use........... and I just look at the bottle when making a martini.

[jagmqt]

Originally Posted by stevefrench

Martini & Rossi extra dry vermouth is all I use........... and I just look at the bottle when making a martini.

M & R is the standard...i'm sure there are better vermouths, but when you're only using drops, why bother...

jag

[replicant_argent]

yep, vermouth is fairly cheap, if you don't like the particular flavor..

Chuck it out and try another. Buy small bottles, oxidation is an enemy.




And lastly, if there is no vermouth in your martini, you should quit being a poser and just order a gin on the rocks.

[qwerty1500]

Originally Posted by replicant_argent

yep, vermouth is fairly cheap, if you don't like the particular flavor..

Chuck it out and try another. Buy small bottles, oxidation is an enemy.




And lastly, if there is no vermouth in your martini, you should quit being a poser and just order a gin on the rocks.

Don't be afraid of vermouth. It's what makes gin a martini.

[smokin5]

Any decent dry vermouth will work just fine, though I do tend to gravitate toward Martini & Rossi.
Don't buy a larger bottle than the .375 ml splits because vermouth is really a wine & does not store well, even in the fridge.
I use the classic 3:1 ratio of gin to vermouth, plus 2 drops of bitters.
If you don't use vermouth, you're just making cold gin.
And yes, I prefer Tanquerey gin, also.

Correction to post above:
You can use sweet vermouth in a Martini if you prefer, or a 50/50 mix of sweet & dry vermouths. Sweet vermouth does NOT make the gin mixture a Manhattan.
A Manhattan is made with rye whiskey & vermouth (sweet or dry, tho sweet is usually preferred).
Or some say you can use bourbon & vermouth.

[yourchoice]

Originally Posted by smokin5

I use the classic 3:1 ratio of gin to vermouth, plus 2 drops of bitters.
If you don't use vermouth, you're just making cold gin.
And yes, I prefer Tanquerey gin, also.

I prefer a ratio around 5:1. I'm not sure what makes a certain ratio "classic", but I've seen and read a classic or traditional gin martini with anywhere from a glass coating of vermouth to a 2:1 ratio. I say you should experiment with it and drink what you like.
And FWIW I prefer Bombay Sapphire, but Hendricks when I want a treat

Originally Posted by smokin5

Correction to post above:
You can use sweet vermouth in a Martini if you prefer, or a 50/50 mix of sweet & dry vermouths. Sweet vermouth does NOT make the gin mixture a Manhattan.
A Manhattan is made with rye whiskey & vermouth (sweet or dry, tho sweet is usually preferred).
Or some say you can use bourbon & vermouth.

I've never seen a martini used with only sweet vermouth...sounds interesting, maybe I'll have to try it (but it doesn't sound very good to me!). I've seen half dry, half sweet, but never had it.

Also, I did not mean to indicate sweet vermouth with gin was a Manhattan, only that sweet vermouth is typically used for a Manhattan.

There are a multitude of variations to the gin martini. Here's a link to some more popular ones. (BTW - they term their recipe "the original" and it's a 5:1 ratio )
Cheers bro's!

[qwerty1500]

Originally Posted by yourchoice

I've never seen a martini used with only sweet vermouth...sounds interesting, maybe I'll have to try it (but it doesn't sound very good to me!).

A few years ago, a bartender used sweet vermouth in my martini. Intentional? Regardless, it was just soooo different. I drank it but just didn't care for it.

[muziq]

Only thing I have to add to this thread: get some olive juice while at the liquor store. Experiment with a dirty martini. It's not expensive and will last quite a while, so you'll have a very cheap way to vary your martini experiments.

[ResIpsa]

Originally Posted by replicant_argent

And lastly, if there is no vermouth in your martini, you should quit being a poser and just order a gin on the rocks.

Originally Posted by qwerty1500

Don't be afraid of vermouth. It's what makes gin a martini.

and

Originally Posted by smokin5

.
I use the classic 3:1 ratio of gin to vermouth, plus 2 drops of bitters.
If you don't use vermouth, you're just making cold gin.

and

Originally Posted by muziq

Only thing I have to add to this thread: get some olive juice while at the liquor store. Experiment with a dirty martini. It's not expensive and will last quite a while, so you'll have a very cheap way to vary your martini experiments.

and

[fizguy]

follow up:

picked up some beefeaters (on sale) and Martini and Rossi dry vermouth. Made my first martini with a 3:1 ratio. No olives (yuck) or lemons in the house.

I have to say, I think I like gin and tonic better.

I will have a few more (not all at the same time) before I render a final verdict though!

[jagmqt]

Originally Posted by fizguy

follow up:

I will have a few more (not all at the same time) before I render a final verdict though!

Careful...I used to drink Martini's cause I didn't really like them so I would drink slower in social situations...then, I started liking them...then, the problems began...

[gvarsity]

You should definitely try a classic martini where you actually use vermouth instead of just misting the glass or whatever. I used to drink very dry martinis where you essentially hd a glass of cold gin and thought about the guy who invented vermouth. Then I was in Green Bay of all places having dinner with some friends of my wifes family where he made martinis with like 4oz gin to 1oz of dry vermouth and it was fantastic. I have been making them like that ever since and people love them. I like the Bombay Saphire but also enjoy Tanqueray and Schlichte for gin and tonics. Best of luck.

[galaga]

Originally Posted by fizguy

follow up:

picked up some beefeaters (on sale) and Martini and Rossi dry vermouth. Made my first martini with a 3:1 ratio. No olives (yuck) or lemons in the house.

I have to say, I think I like gin and tonic better.

I will have a few more (not all at the same time) before I render a final verdict though!

If I may. 1:5 ain't a bad ratio. Martinis are about ceremony too. Put ice in the martini glass while you work. Use fresh ice, lots of it in the shaker. Add ingredients and shake the sh!t out of it, pour into the cold glass. Olives certainly are optional, but dirty martini's (with a little olive juice in the mix) are good too. A martini should be consumed cold to toke the edge off the day and to wake up the tongue. Keep experimenting. If you like gin, sooner or later you'll find a martini combo you like....