Written for home mixologists and city bar-hoppers alike, cheers to Martinis done right!
Suave, sharp, and utterly timeless. The Martini has been gracing cocktail glasses since the dawn of time… or thereabouts. While its true origins may be a little hazy, many believe it all began in New York, where the Martini’s older sibling, the Martinez, was refined into the minimalist masterpiece we know today.
For the Martini lovers amongst us, you may already have World Martini Day boldly circled in your diary. But, like all great things in life, taking a moment to enjoy your favourite tipple is an experience to savour which is why, in true Blacklock fashion, we’ve decided to make it full-blown Martini Week. After all, why keep the celebrations to just one day?
From 16th to 22nd June, we’ll be serving classic Martini’s, exactly how you like it, for £8 all day, all week.
In every glass, 3 main characters that play a role in a martini. First, your preferred Gin or Vodka, then good vermouth and ice, and while ordering one can liken itself to a Myer-Briggs test, here’s a dress rehearsal for next week’s Martini Day wherever you end up:
Ingredients
Gin or Vodka? We probably don’t need to explain this one!
Wet vs. Dry? What they’re asking is would you like to taste more Vermouth (Wet) or more gin or vodka (Dry)?
Garnishes
Dirty Martini? Do you want a dash of olive brine for a salty and savoury flavour?
Extra Dirty/Filthy? Do you want us to go heavy on the brine?
Gibson Martini? Want to try it with a pickled onion?
Twist? Do you want a citrusy taste with lemon, lime, or orange?
Making
Shaken vs. Stirred? Would you like it to be stretched a little with ice (Shaken), or would you like it stirred for a smoother, punchier drink?
“Naked” Martini? Fancy a splash of vermouth in a frozen glass that’s topped up with chilled gin or vodka. There is no stirring, no shaking, and so no dilution.
George’s clever tips & twists at home
Chill everything – your gin, glasses, and even the shaker need to go in the freezer. Cold is key to setting up a proper, stiff sharpener, helping to achieve maximum Martini enjoyment. Dinner party? Before you wheel the cocktail trolley out, make it super easy for yourself to serve. Measure out and mix your favourite gin/vodka and vermouth ratio and (you guessed it) pop it in the freezer for a few hours before you need or keep it there, to pour over ice and stir when you’re ready. No fuss, no mess and all the fun.
Choose your vermouth wisely, sure, you’ll pick a quality gin or vodka, but George points out that a well‑chosen vermouth can completely transform the drink. His go‑to? Lustau Dry, which brings a subtle floral nod.
Olive oil for Dirty lovers. If you sit on the dirtier side of the glass, 2 or 3 drops of high-quality olive oil goes a long way, bringing a richer, velvety mouthfeel – just ask George, our Group Bar Manager. For the more seasoned Madames (and Monsieurs) of the mini-bar, try infusing the olive oil with a sprig of rosemary or even orange – it’ll be the talk of the table for parties to come.
Layer in Bitters. To take the flavour a touch further, just a dash of bitters, from classic orange to celery or floral lavender will bring an unfamiliar, curious feeling as you arrive somewhere new. Bitters are the secret spice cabinet your Martini has been waiting for.
Our favourite Places to Sip Martini’s
Birmingham
Last but not least, while we didn’t get a chance to try their Martini’s at Couch, we bet our bottom dollar that they serve up a total humdinger of a crisp, clean serve! Meanwhile in DIgbeth’s iconic Custard Factory, one place we’re desperate to try is Passing Fancies. Rumour has it, it’s where the cool cats prowl!
Manchester
The Northern bar scene is strong, almost as strong as their Martini game. First stop, Schofield’s Bar, we say first because arriving any later and you may need to wait a mo while they fix you a spot up at the bar. Just a stones throw from there is Speak in Code, who last time we checked had a Space Invader Martini that took a classic Gibson quite literally to the next level – need we say more.
London
We can’t start talking about where to go without first rolling out the red carpet to Dukes Bar, Mayfair. This rather swish, legendary haunt is famed for their tableside Martini Trolley but be warned, they’re boozy. If you fancy a slightly more indie, or even a neighbourhood bar, Three Sheets in Dalston (and Soho) also knows where it’s at with standout dry gins and inventive twists.