Many people, for the purpose of relaxing after a hard working day, for example, from time to time prefer to drink one or two cocktails in the circle of relatives or friends.
Of course, today there are a lot of cocktails, both non-alcoholic and alcoholic. The same classic combination of flavors can be combined with very unusual ingredients, giving exquisite and very pleasant flavors.
Let's consider such a basic combination as martini with vodka. The recipe for this drink is known to many admirers of strong alcoholic cocktails. This combination in its classic form is called vodkatini. All of the recipes below are based on these two ingredients.
A brief excursion into history
Such a drink first appeared in bars in America in the middle of the 20th century. Who became the author of such a very explosive combination is not known today.
But the fact is that the cocktail’s popularity has grown a lot thanks to James Bond films. It was thanks to the famous movie hero that the martini recipe with vodka became mega-famous and in demand.
In the same film, a little secret was revealed, an unwritten rule: "in the right cocktail, the components mix, but do not shake."
50/50 Martini, or Perfect Martini
Let's start with a combination such as the “perfect” cocktail: vodka with martini. The recipe got its name due to the uniform proportion of the basic ingredients.
The composition of one cocktail: 42 grams of vodka, 42 grams of vermouth, 10 drops of orange bitter, a spiral of lemon peel for decoration. This is the simplest “pure” vodka martini recipe. The proportions are transferred from the international system of measures, which is adopted in bars, so everything is indicated to the nearest gram.
Preparation: in a mixing glass we combine vodka, martini, bitter and ice. Mix the cocktail well and pour into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a zest - the cocktail is ready.
Basil Martini
The preparation of this drink involves a preparatory stage, so it must be started to be prepared a day before consumption.
For this cocktail you will need: 0.5 cups of vodka, 3 fresh leaves of basil, 28 grams of vermouth, 10 drops of celery bitter (optional), a leaf of basil for decoration.
Cooking method. To begin with, we connect in a small vessel half a glass of vodka with basil leaves, cover it with cling film. We put the mixture in the refrigerator for the night, then we take out the basil leaves. This mixture will be enough for two cocktails.
Next, add all the ingredients indicated in the recipe to the mixing glass, including bitter and ice. Stir well and pour into a chilled glass, decorate with basil.
St. Dill martini
This recipe for vodka martini is rather unusual and piquant.
Composition: 42 grams of vodka, 28-56 grams of cucumber pickle (marinade) with dill, a few drops of vermouth, 10-12 mustard seeds, a small pickled cucumber on a skewer and a sprig of dill for decoration.
Cooking. Mix vodka, brine, vermouth, mustard seeds and ice in a shaker. Pour the resulting mixture into a glass. Put the cucumber on a wooden skewer and decorate the cocktail. The final touch will be a sprig of dill in a glass.
Ginger Martini
This recipe for martini with vodka will appeal to lovers of spicy sweets.
Ingredients: 42 grams of vodka, 14 grams of vermouth, 14 grams of ginger liquor, 10 drops of Angostura bitter (recommended), a spiral of orange peel for decoration.
Cooking. We mix all the ingredients, except the decoration, in a shaker, adding ice. Pour the resulting mixture into a glass and decorate with zest.
Martini with sherry
This dry cocktail has a spicy taste thanks to sherry (strong grape wine). It ideally “works” paired with jamon or other salty snacks.
Composition: 42 grams of vodka, 28 grams of dry vermouth, 14 grams of sherry (recommended Amontillado), 15 drops of peach liquor, 3 green olives for decoration, 1 slice of jamon, several large crystals of salt.
This is another extravagant variation of martini with vodka. The recipe consists of two steps:
1) In a shaker mix vodka, vermouth, sherry, bitter and ice. Pour into a glass.
2) For decoration we make a “shish kebab” on a skewer of olives and jamon according to the scheme “olive-jamon-olive”, we fix it. Put the skewer in a glass by adding salt crystals.
Hibiscus rose vesper
Plantation vodka is considered ideal for this cocktail, but other brands can be used. The recipe was invented in 2011, when there was a surge in the popularity of distilled vodka.
Composition: 84 grams of dry gin, 28 grams of vodka, 14 grams of vermouth (preferably Lillet Blanc liquor), 15 drops of hibiscus liquor (Chinese rose).
To prepare, mix all the ingredients in a shaker, adding ice. Mix in a shaker until completely cooled, then pour into a martini glass.
Cucumber Martini
This cocktail has a pleasant fresh sweetish taste.
Ingredients: 4 rings of cucumber, 56 grams of vodka, 21 grams of vermouth, 0.5 tablespoon of simple sugar syrup, 10 drops of celery bitter.
Cooking. In a shaker, mix 3 rings of cucumber, add vodka, vermouth, syrup, bitter and ice. Stir well and pour the drink into a glass. Decorate with the remaining cucumber ring.