The missing link

The Martinez is said to be the missing link between the Manhattan and the Martini just as Lucy is the missing link between the apes and the Homo sapiens. It first appeared 1884 in OH Byron’s Modern Bartender’s Guide. A few years later in 1887 the legendary bartender Jerry Thomas made the recipe into what it is today. The story goes that Thomas made it for a customer traveling to the city of Martinez, California. To make this classic it is preferable to use Old Tom gin, a type of gin that is something in between Dutch genever and London dry gin.

The Coupe glass was designed by Felicia Ferrone in 2018.

Martinez

3 parts Old Tom gin

3 parts red Vermouth (for instance Punt e Mes)

1/2 part Maraschino

2 dashes Angustura bitters

2 dashes orange bitters

1 orange twist for garnish

Stir all ingredients with ice. Strain into chilled cocktail glass and garnish with an orange twist.