Front Porch Martini

The key to a good Martini is to make it as cold as you can. I keep my gin in the freezer for just this purpose along side the coupe. There are many ways to mix a Martini but I think this one satisfies my pallet with vermouth and hint of orange and lemon. And of course the process and deliberation of mixing a cocktail to perfection makes the drink taste all the better.

As Michael Ruhlman says in his Book of Cocktail Ratios, dilution is key. Stir about 20 times will give you the right amount of water added to the cocktail. If you shake a martini, you will add too much water.

Recipe:

3 oz gin (Beefeater, Plymouth, Tanqueray 10)

½ oz dry vermouth

2 dashes orange bitters

Garnish with a lemon peel

Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice. Stir 20 times. Strain into a chilled coupe. Squeeze lemon peel over top to distribute the oils, then place in the glass. Enjoy.