Want to try making the traditional Martini cocktail recipe? Don’t be alarmed when it calls for sweet vermouth, not dry vermouth! The Sweet Martini is and will always be a classic martini.
A Sweet Martini may be a lost classic cocktail recipe, overtaken by its contemporary cousin the Dry Martini or the Martinez, but its herbal flavors and smooth finish are not to be overlooked
The Sweet Martini may seem like an oxymoron to us modern day cocktail lovers, but actually it was the original Martini was sweet! Over time, dry vermouth has been swapped for sweet vermouth and dry gin for old Tom Gin. Don’t forget to add a maraschino cherry where a lemon twist was before!
Given its sweeter flavors, some prefer to enjoy this after dinner instead of before, but of course that is personal preference.
What is Old Tom Gin
Not to confuse you but in the olden days there was Holland Gin (unsweetened and more like gin today) and Old Tom Gin (sweetened)! As modern gin was inspired by the Dutch Genever, it because known as Holland Gin.
Old Tom Gin was the rage in 17th C Britain. Its name came from the wood signs attached to the outside wall of the gin joint usually shaped like a black cat, known as Old Tom. It’s become very trendy and you can find a number of Old Tom Gins on the market now!
What tools you need to make the Sweet Martini
You won’t be needing a cocktail shaker for this one! Grab a jigger, a mixing glass, barspoon, strainer, and chilled cocktail glass for this Sweet Martini recipe. I adore Martini glasses so that’s my choice!
You’ll need to stir this one quite a bit, depending on how boozy you like this. If you want it sweeter, you can always add a touch of simple syrup or play around with the parts gin and part vermouth you want. This kind of drink recipe is an easy recipe and all based on how you like it, so try whatever you like! Remember – there is no such thing as a perfect martini recipe!
Where to find more Martini recipes
You can find loads of other martini recipes to try! Here are a few of my favorites:
- The classic of classics: The Classic Gin Martini
- The super popular: The Espresso Martini
- James Bond’s go-to Martini: The Vodka Martini
- The Citrus Martini in a Shot: The Lemon Drop Martini Shot
- Try the Vesper Martini if you love Vermouth
- The Naughty Porn Star Martini
- The Martini of the Moment: The Gibson Martini
- My absolute fave: The Dirty Martini
Where to find the best Sweet Martinis in the world
If may be a little biased, but the bars in London know how to make the best Sweet Martinis, as well as the classic Martinis! Try Dukes Bar or The Connaught to experience the full Martini Trolley!
Where to find ingredients for the Sweet Martini
You can find all the ingredients at Spirits Kiosk (10% off the entire site by quoting this code: ALushLife10SK.) in the UK; or Saucey.com in the USA!
Here is the recipe:
Sweet Martini
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 oz Gin Old Tim if you can find it!
- 1/2 oz Sweet Vermouth
- Cherry
Instructions
- Add the gin and sweet vermouth to a mixing glass
- Add ice
- Stir, stir, stir
- Strain into a chilled martini glass
- Garnish with a cherry!
Nutrition
PIN THS RECIPE FOR LATER