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The Martinez cocktail is considered to be the cocktail that came before the martini. Made with gin, this is a popular drink that still is the basis for many cocktails today.

close up Martinez Cocktail in a silver coupe glass with a bottle of Luxardo behind it

Why is it called a Martinez?

While the origin of the name itself is a bit of a mystery, when this cocktail was accidentally misspelled in a bartender’s manual at one point (without the z), it ended up morphing into a different type of cocktail, namely the Martini—leaving us with both the origins of the martini. Nowadays, of course, there are numerous types of martinis, but the Martinez itself remains the same (source).

Martinez Cocktail in a silver coupe glass with a bottle of Luxardo behind it — Martinez Cocktail

How to make a Martinez

To make a Martinez, you’ll need gin (Old Tom specifically) as well as sweet vermouth, Luxardo maraschino liqueur (pictured in the photos above) and Angostura bitters. Once you have these ingredients; simply combine them in a shaker with ice and shake until cold. Pour into a coupe or martini glass and serve with an orange twist or slice as garnish!

The Glassware

The glassware you see depicted here is Queen Anne’s Lusterware and is very commonly found (here in Alberta anyway) thrifting at second hand stores and at antique malls. They make for beautiful serving glasses and price wise, they are not typically super expensive to acquire. If you are looking for some nice barware to start off your collection, you can’t go wrong with lusterware!

Hope you enjoy the cocktail!

Mike