The perfect MARTINI
Decanter|July 2022
Vodka or gin. Lemon or olive. Shaken or stirred. There's no right answer - or is there? Here's what the world's best Martini-makers have to say on the matter
ALICIA MILLER
The perfect MARTINI

The most enduring of classic cocktails, the Martini is simple to make and infinitely customisable. But how do you create the very best one possible? We asked the top mixologists in London's Martini business - Agostino Perrone and Giorgio Bargiani of The Connaught Bar, Alessandro Palazzi of Dukes Bar and Brian Silva of Rules. Here are their thoughts...

THE SPIRIT: VODKA VS GIN

None of our bartenders would badmouth the Vodka Martini. And yet, all name gin as their go-to spirit base, because it has so much more flavour. It seems their customers agree: : both Palazzi and the Connaught duo say 70% of the Martinis they sell are made with gin. Silva's numbers are similar, though the Boston native notes an exception: American customers seem to prefer vodka.'

As for the perfect gin? Choose something classic and juniper-forward. The Connaught Bar, known for both precision and world-leading innovation, uses its own gin, infused with hand-crushed juniper, coriander seeds, liquorice, angelica root, orris root, mace, Amalfi lemon and red wine - but also uses Tanqueray No10.

Silva's preference is a gin that's 'as ginny as possible', and he cites the likes of Tanqueray, No3 (from Berry Bros & Rudd), Plymouth and Sipsmith. Palazzi, meanwhile, prides himself on experimenting with a number of smaller gin brands, but he considers Beefeater, No3, Plymouth and Tanqueray to be reliable, easy-to-find picks.

When vodka is involved, full-flavoured spirits get the nod. Palazzi and the Connaught team often use Konik's Tail, a blend of spelt, rye and wheat. Though for his popular Vesper Martini a James Bond-inspired blend of gin and vodka - Palazzi uses one-part rye Potocki vodka to three-parts No3 gin, with amber vermouth.

THE VERMOUTH: WET VS DRY

This story is from the July 2022 edition of Decanter.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the July 2022 edition of Decanter.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM DECANTERView All
Inside a professional's everyday life
Decanter

Inside a professional's everyday life

What’s the best thing about your job? The versatility. Every day is different. Working across nursery propagation, grape farming, winemaking, marketing, travel and research and development. It’s never boring.

time-read
2 mins  |
February 2024
Navarra
Decanter

Navarra

From its famed bull-running capital to its dry and rocky badlands, this northern Spanish region is blessed with a wide variety of international grapes, but its indigenous Garnacha is the rising star

time-read
2 mins  |
February 2024
Pedalling Priorat A Catalonia cycling guide
Decanter

Pedalling Priorat A Catalonia cycling guide

For the firm of thigh, pedal power may be the best way to experience the switchbackstrewn landscape of Priorat. With wines as exquisite as the hills of the Costa Daurada are steep, it’s surely worth saddling up for this two-wheeled adventure

time-read
7 mins  |
February 2024
British rums
Decanter

British rums

Craft distillers in the UK are turning their enthusiastic attention to a spirit that’s usually associated with tropical climes... We explore the burgeoning British rum scene and recommend six bottles to try

time-read
6 mins  |
February 2024
FIVE OF THE BEST
Decanter

FIVE OF THE BEST

New-wave vodkas

time-read
2 mins  |
February 2024
UKRAINE A wine odyssey
Decanter

UKRAINE A wine odyssey

Fully committed and determined is perhaps understating it when it comes to the winemakers of Ukraine. Appearing more widely now in the UK and other markets, theirs are wines that feature familiar grape names along with a whole cast of new varieties, styles and geographies waiting to be discovered

time-read
5 mins  |
February 2024
Hundred Acre
Decanter

Hundred Acre

In arare in-depth interview granted to Decanter, we meet the dauntless Jayson Woodbridge. The founder of Hundred Acre is a controversial figure in the Napa Valley, yet the wine community can’t ignore the fact that his wines are celebrated by pundits the world over

time-read
9 mins  |
February 2024
Understanding Castilla y León
Decanter

Understanding Castilla y León

This wide expanse of territory in Spain’s northwest incorporates at least three major DO regions and numerous others, giving huge scope for wine exploration, with many styles to choose from. Here we discover the producers, wines and latest trends to look out for

time-read
10+ mins  |
February 2024
XAREL·LO RISING HIGH
Decanter

XAREL·LO RISING HIGH

Spain's answer to white Burgundy? Its more passionate advocates like to argue so.For a long time lost in an ocean of nondescript Cava, Xarel·lo is now emerging as one of Spain's most lauded native white grapes

time-read
10 mins  |
February 2024
Wine wisdom
Decanter

Wine wisdom

Our regular learning section helps you get more from your glass

time-read
5 mins  |
February 2024