The Perfect Grape Martini

Over the past years I’ve already covered lots of Martini cocktails on this blog. The variations are almost endless: Dry Martini, Reverse Martini, Breakfast Martini, Espresso Martini, Pornstar Martini,… But I don’t think I ever mixed up a real 50/50 Martini. 

The 50/50 Martini is actually more or less the original Martini, with even parts gin and vermouth. Sometimes confused with the Perfect Martini, which still has more gin than vermouth, but it does split the vermouth in even parts dry and sweet vermouth. 

Fact check 
In recipes pre-1900 the Martini was made with even parts of Old Tom Gin (a sweeter style of gin) and sweet vermouth. Around 1920 the Dry Martini became popular with a mix of dry gin and dry vermouth. The ratio changed to 2:1 which developed even further with just a rinse of vermouth as the most extreme. Unless you’re a fan of Churchill and only “look at the bottle of vermouth from across the room, while pouring a glass of gin”, but that quote might also be a myth 😉 

Martini Basics  

• Dry Martini : A Martini with much less vermouth. The less vermouth, the drier your Martini. Ratios can be anything between 3:1 and 100:1 (=just a rinse)
• Wet Martini : A Martini with more vermouth, which makes it sweeter than average. The more vermouth, the ‘wetter’ your Martini. A classic Wet Martini today is 3:1, which is just above the threshold for the Dry Martini. 
• 50/50 Martini : A wet Martini with even parts gin and vermouth
• Reverse Martini or Upside-Down Martini : A wet Martini with more vermouth than gin
• Dirty Martini : A Martini with a splash of olive brine added to the recipe
• Perfect Martini : A Martini where the vermouth is split in even parts dry and sweet vermouth. 
• Naked Martini : A Martini without vermouth. Churchill would have loved it 😉 

There are three standard garnishes for Martini drinks to pick from : A green olive, a lemon twist or a pickled onion, which changes the name to a Gibson.

Last week I received a parcel with a bottle of gin and a bottle of vermouth, both created by François Lurton, winemaker in France with Sauvignon Blanc grapes. I have met François a few years ago at the Belgian launch event for Sorgin, I still remember his passion for the grape. These two bottles are created with a lot of love for the fruits of his vineyards. No better choice for a 50/50 Martini.

The Perfect Grape Martini

Ingredients
1 part Sorgin Gin
1 part Leoncé Extra Dry vermouth
1 dash of orange bitters

Method
Add all ingredients in a mixing glass with lots of ice. Use even parts gin and vermouth. Stir for 15 seconds and strain in a pre-chilled coupe. Garnish with a couple of grapes. 

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