Martinez vs Negroni

[Annette Marron Holbrook]

My usual before dinner cocktail is a Manhattan. I've decided to venture outside my comfort zone tonight and try a Martinez or a Negroni. I was trying to decide between the 2, but now am thinking of a side by side comparison. 

I have multiple gins, I'm thinking Old Tom for the Martinez. Maybe Bulldog or St George for the Negroni?

Thoughts?

 

Annette

 

[FrogPrincesse]

You could start with something like Beefeater as a "baseline" for both cocktails. Then branch out to more unusual gins such as St George dry rye.

[Hassouni]

If you're a Manhattan person, a Martinez should be right up your alley. A Negroni, as nice as they are, not so much, though it's a great aperitif drink.

[Hassouni]

You could start with something like Beefeater as a "baseline" for both cocktails. Then branch out to more unusual gins such as St George dry rye.

 

I'd def say Beefeater for the Negroni,

 

For the Martinez, an Old Tom or even a genever would be lovely and bring it closer to Manhattan territory.

[weinoo]

You could start with something like Beefeater as a "baseline" for both cocktails. Then branch out to more unusual gins such as St George dry rye.

 

Yes.

 

I'd def say Beefeater for the Negroni,

 

For the Martinez, an Old Tom or even a genever would be lovely and bring it closer to Manhattan territory.

 

Yes, too. 

 

And for the Negroni, I like Martini & Rossi for the sweet vermouth. Antica can overpower, and I like to taste the gin.

[Annette Marron Holbrook]

Ok, getting a late start here so I'm going with just the Martinez for the evening. For vermouth, I only have Antica or Cocchi di Torino. I've never tried the Cocchi so have no idea.

On researching I've found 3 different Martinez recipes. I'm kind of chuckling here-

First from Robert Hess 1 oz Gin, 2 oz Vermouth dash bitters 1/8 oz Maraschino liqueur

Then from PDT 1.5 oz Gin, 1.5 oz Vermouth, 2 dash bitters, 1/4 oz Marschino

From Liquid Intelligence 2 oz Gin, 1 oz Vermouth, 1 dash bitters, 1/4 oz Maraschino

 

Not sure which to try first . Maybe PDT as it's kind of in the middle.

Edited April 24, 2015 by Annette Marron Holbrook (log)

[FrogPrincesse]

The Cocchi VdT is really nice in a Martinez. Personally, I really like the PDT ratios compared to other recipes that are more gin-heavy. Let us know what you end up making!

[Annette Marron Holbrook]

I ended up making the PDT version. I didn't want to open the bottle of Cocchi yet, so used the Antica. First go round I used Hayman's Old Tom Gin. Enjoyable but a bit sweet. Not sure why so the second attempt I switched to Bulldog Gin. I think the Old Tom combined with Antica upped the sweetness so the Bulldog version was more to my liking. I don't like the Bulldog by itself but do enjoy it in a cocktail. 

 

Annette

 

Edited April 25, 2015 by Annette Marron Holbrook (log)

[BillBuitenhuys]

Both of these drinks are lovely for pre-dinner!

Martinez is one of my comfort drinks. That thing I make when I don't want to think about what I'm making and just want to relax.

I also favor the PDT recipe and that 50/50 recipe makes for a lovely Gin&It too.

Definitely Cocchi Torino over CA for me as that CA vanilla dominates the gin. My go-to is Dolin rouge for this drink. Noilly works for me too. Hayman's, Ransom, or Malacca for gin. Geniver on occasion.

 

I'm not a fan of orange bitters in my Martinez though. Something about the orange and the maraschino just doesn't do it for me because I'm not bothered by a Gin&It with orange bitters. Most of the time I'll use Dr. Adam's Bokers. If I'm up for experimenting, I'll go with an aromatic bitters over a citrus type.

 

So very thirsty now....

[FrogPrincesse]

I fully agree on the bitters; Boker's is the way to go.

[tanstaafl2]

My usual before dinner cocktail is a Manhattan. I've decided to venture outside my comfort zone tonight and try a Martinez or a Negroni. I was trying to decide between the 2, but now am thinking of a side by side comparison. 

I have multiple gins, I'm thinking Old Tom for the Martinez. Maybe Bulldog or St George for the Negroni?

Thoughts?

 

Annette

 

If you are of a mind to go well off the rails I would suggest for the Negroni ditching the gin altogether and go with Mezcal. Vida or Sombra works nicely. I also tend to sub Aperol for the Campari as well but either can work depending on your preference.

 

1.75 Mezcal

0.75 Aperol

1.00 Dolin Rouge

2 dashes Regans Orange bitters

 

Of course at this point it is no longer a Negroni. I don't know what it is, but for me at least I know it is good!

[brinza]

If you are of a mind to go well off the rails I would suggest for the Negroni ditching the gin altogether and go with Mezcal. Vida or Sombra works nicely. I also tend to sub Aperol for the Campari as well but either can work depending on your preference.

 

1.75 Mezcal

0.75 Aperol

1.00 Dolin Rouge

2 dashes Regans Orange bitters

 

Of course at this point it is no longer a Negroni. I don't know what it is, but for me at least I know it is good!

 

One book I have has a recipe combining tequila and Campari, called a Mexican Sal.  My friend and I tried it, then added chocolate bitters to it, which made it way nicer than we expected.

Edited May 11, 2015 by brinza (log)