Food - Drink
The Essential Ingredient You May Be Overlooking In Your Classic Martini
BY KATHERINE BECK
The modern martini is one of the simplest drinks around, made of equal parts dry vermouth and gin. However, this classic drink also has many variations, from the vodka martini, popularized in the 1950s, to the classic, original martini formula that contained a citrusy ingredient we don't consider to be "standard" today.
To provide depth of flavor and aroma to your martini, add orange bitters, a part of the original martini recipe that is overlooked today. Your martini, whether gin or vodka, will benefit from a splash of this aromatic liqueur, and Derek Brown, a leading cocktail expert, even says that a martini is not a true martini without orange bitters.
A classic martini with orange bitters requires two ounces of gin, a half ounce of dry vermouth, and a dash of orange bitters, which Brown says adds the essential bitter note that is characteristic of a classic martini. Orange bitters also pair well with the taste of gin and vermouth, which has a slightly herbal flavor.
