Martini’s I have attempted…

While browsing the liquor store this week, I realized I had never in fact tried a martini, in fact I had never even tried gin!  Yes, yes, I know, sad right?  So, I grabbed some of my usual vodka (Pinnacle), some Bombay Sapphire gin (supposed to be the top end of the gin areas), and some Martini & Rossi vermouth.  Right off, I tried some or other recipe using the “shaken not stirred” vodka martini using a 2 oz vodka to a bit under 1 oz of vermouth mix.  I either had too little ice in the shaker or something, because it was rather nasty and watered down, and in fact I ended up dumping half this one in the sink.  I think it was a combination of to little ice, and too much shaking (the site I found this recipe on said to “Shake it like mad for 2 mins” which I’m sure is great if you like watered down nasty shit, but around 30 seconds is actually what you should be doing I’ve found.

The next go was a bit better, going with 2 oz vodka and 1/2 oz of vermouth, shaken for 30 seconds and strained of course, with an olive for garnish.  While much better than my first attempt, I really just wasn’t going for the vodka/vermouth blend.  I’m sure there are thousands that love this mix but it just isn’t me.

Next up was the gin/vermouth (traditional) martini.  I’d already found I liked less vermouth than almost every recipe of traditionalism suggested, but you will find recipes going from “dump it in” to “just wave the vermouth over the top of the gin” to “swirl it around the inside of the glass and dump the rest out”.  I found a 2 oz gin to 1/4 to 1/3 oz vermouth to be a good compromise (while still keeping it a martini).  Sorry guys, waving your bottle of vermouth over the glass isn’t a cocktail, it’s gin in a glass.

The last was definitely my favorite blend, and while I can’t yet say that the martini is my favorite mixed drink, it’s not bad, as long as it’s made with gin.  If you like me, have never had a martini, gin, or vermouth at all.  Buy some of the mini-bar or similar sized bottles and give it a try.  After trying the Bombay Sapphire gin listed above, I have since switched to a much cheaper Pinnacle gin.  It’s by far not as good as the Bombay, but if your like me and stuck on a budget, it will do the trick!  On gin Bombay is the recommended (but expensive) variety. Bombay Sapphire gin 50ml 9.5/10 – $4.99/avg, Pinnacle gin 275ml 7/10 – $3.59/avg, Martini & Rossi vermouth  375ml 8/10 – $5.69/avg

Wine – Fetzer – Merlot (Vintage 2006)

This is easily the best low end price range merlot I have tried to date.  In fact it is my new favorite, having the taste of much more expensive brands, while still running the under $10 price-range.  I ran across this one by accident, because it wasn’t stacked with the other merlot, and I’ve already purchased three or four bottles in just the past five days.  Try this wine if your on a budget or not.  For those with money to spare, this might just be the great wine to break out when the in-laws come over!   9/10 (Avg $9 – Standard Bottle)