The Simple Citrus Swap For A More Complex Martini

A classic martini is crisp, a credit to the juniper-tinged gin and herbaceous dry vermouth that make up the bulk of the cocktail. One of the more refreshing aspects of a martini, however, often comes from the lemon peel used to garnish the drink. The citrus infuses the drink with a bright, zesty flair, and if you're looking for something a little more complex, use preserved lemons.

Lemons blend seamlessly into the fresh, piney spirits in a martini, giving it a citrusy boost. Many people prefer using a lemon peel instead of an olive for martinis, but with preserved lemons, you don't have to choose between the two. The fermented fruits share the best of both worlds, making for a delicious martini. When preserved, the lemons maintain their delicious zest, with the citrusy flavor intensifying from the fermentation as a saltiness develops within the fruit. The refreshing nature of lemons — coupled with the newfound savory taste — enhances martinis, giving the cocktails a more layered flavor.

Opting for preserved lemons doesn't require you to make the drink any differently. Add the gin, dry vermouth, and bitters to an ice-filled glass and gently stir (or shake) the liquids before straining into a cocktail glass. Since preserved lemons have a pretty potent taste, use only a sliver, rinsing off the excess salt before adding it to the glass. Both the flesh and peel are edible, so feel free to eat the spirit-soaked citrus once you're done sipping the martini.

The bold, savory flavor of preserved lemons probably stands out the most in a classic martini, since the understated, yet herbaceous gin and vermouth allow it to shine clearly. However, the garnish's tangy taste can fit perfectly into all kinds of martinis. One of the most obvious choices to add the fermented fruit to is an easy lemon drop martini. The cocktail foregoes gin and vermouth for vodka and Cointreau, so the warm, orange flavor and clear taste serves as a great backdrop for preserved lemons to showcase their brininess.

Since the entire lemon is edible, you can also finely chop it up to sprinkle on top of a decadent white chocolate pistachio martini. A dash of fine preserved lemons adds hints of tanginess to the cocktail while balancing out the sweet flavor with an umami twist. The liquid from a jar of preserved lemons can also add some flavor to a pornstar martini. Lemon juice is often used in favor of lime for the cocktail, and opting for the liquid from preserved lemons perfectly cuts through the sweetness of the passion fruit and vanilla vodka while ensuring the drink is still bright and delicious.