The Martinez cocktail history is interesting because it is not completely clear. Some believe that it was created in the late 1800s by bartender Johnnie Petrossian, who lived and worked as a bartender in San Francisco. Others think that it was invented by Lewis J. Martinez, a 20-year old bartender in Sacramento in 1887. The drink eventually became very popular among American bartenders and drinkers alike. The recipe usually contains Old Tom gin, Maraschino liqueur, vermouth and bitters with a few different variations to make the drink sweeter or spicier which emerged when Prohibition started in 1920s when alcohol wasn’t legal to sell in the US.
Spirit Used
Gin
Ingredients
1½ ounces old Tom gin or genever
1½ ounces sweet vermouth
1 tsp Angostura bitters
¼ ounce cherry liqueur
Ice
Orange twist for garnish
Recipe
1. Chill a coupe or martini glass.
2. In a mixing glass, combine the gin, vermouth, bitters, and cherry liqueur.
3. Add the ice and stir to chill.
4. Strain into the chilled glass and garnish with an orange twist.
