Termed “the elixir of quietude” by E.B.White and labeled “the only American invention as perfect as the sonnet” by H. L. Mencken, the martini is one of the most popular cocktails enjoyed the world over. The martini comprises gin and dry vermouth mixed in a specific proportion to give a crisp feel to the palate. Martini in general is served after gently stirring or shaking the mixture of spirits as per an individual’s wish in a chic martini glass garnished with a stuffed olive or lemon twist. Although, it is a widespread practice to substitute vodka for gin in the martini nowadays, even so the classic martini remains a huge favorite.
The key while preparing a martini is to keep in mind a few essential points. The first important aspect contributing to a great martini is the vermouth that is used. When recipes for a martini carried the mention of the use of vermouth, it was always assumed that the Italian vermouth that is red and sweet was the one that should be utilized. This idea had been prevalent for quite a long time until one more type of vermouth called the French vermouth, which is dry and white, made its way into the martini concoction. Nowadays, however many bartenders prefer little to no vermouth in a martini which is quite surprising as the vermouth can play a significant role in balancing the diverse flavors in any cocktail. The secret actually lies in using a complete ounce of French or dry vermouth.
The next factor in line is keeping up the balance of flavor between the gin and the vermouth so that a superb martini is arrived at. The gin is said to contribute tangy and sharp flavors while vermouth adds a soft touch to the martini. The perfect martini has to have a blend of the two in such a way that it turns up crisp but neither too mellow nor too sharp to the taste buds.
As bizarre as it may sound but another important element crucial to a martini is water in the form of ice. The addition of water as ice is crucial to reduce the fiery sensation that results from sipping alcohol present in the various spirits used. In addition, the water works to smooth out flavors. Using about an ounce of water in the form of ice is ideal and the components of the martini should be chilled just enough that they allow the ice to melt gradually into the martini.
So, how exactly do you turn out a martini that is perfect? Well, first you ought o possess a bottle of good quality gin, a fine dry vermouth and copious amounts of ice.
Now, mix the gin and vermouth in different ratios and give each mixture a stir to finally arrive at a blend that suits your taste. Begin with creating a mix with eight parts of gin to one part of vermouth and add enough ice to your martini. If this does not suit you, further vary this ratio to something like four parts of gin to one part of vermouth. Keep trying various proportions until you arrive at a martini that is perfect for you. However, do not forget to give a stir and add ice each time you try to taste the variants. However, take care not to overindulge in the martini experiment as there is no need to attempt different blends of martini all at once, after all you do not want to get yourself a martini hangover that is terrible.
