Martini cocktails
Martini cocktails are a universal choice for parties and gatherings – regardless of the occasion or season. Their base is vermouth – an aromatised wine drink, made by macerating herbs such as mint, anise, orange peel, cardamom, and cinnamon in white or red wine. The mixture is then fortified with a distillate.
The best-known vermouth is produced by the Martini&Rossi brand, which, thanks to effective marketing, has given the drink global fame. The characteristic taste and aroma come from herbs, the selection of which remains a closely guarded company secret. The extraordinary popularity of Martini was also contributed by the James Bond film series, in which the hero particularly favoured the drink Vesper Martini.
What to drink with Martini?
As many bartenders, so many answers to the question of what to drink with Martini! There are different types and ways of serving Martini – the most popular varieties are Bianco, Rosso, and Fiero. What distinguishes them?
- Martini Bianco is a white vermouth with sweet and fruity flavour notes, with a hint of vanilla.
- Martini Rosso is a red vermouth, combining sweetness and bitterness, with discernible, yet delicate notes of anise and liquorice.
- Martini Fiero is a red vermouth, surprising with intense, bitter orange notes, with a hint of red pepper.
All can be drunk on their own or used as an ingredient in cocktails. Once you've chosen your Martini type, what do you drink with it? How to serve Martini at parties and gatherings?
How to serve Martini?
There are two approaches to how to serve Martini. Some vermouth cocktails, such as the classic "Martini" or "Manhattan" are served in special martini glasses – conical vessels of up to 150 ml capacity, which combine a party spirit with effortless elegance. Others, however, are prepared in wine glasses – especially those with a large amount of ice and fruity additions.
When making drinks in martini glasses, it's worth opting for classic and minimalism! Chilled Martini Rosso can be served with a slice of orange or lemon. And what to drink with Martini Bianco? Cold, it tastes fantastic with orange or lemon juice, as well as with sparkling water or tonic. Martini Fiero combined with ice and lemon will also be a hit!
It is worth remembering that the types and ways of serving Martini depend not only on the variant of the drink used, but also on the occasion and season. On hot days, light, refreshing combinations work great – Martini Bianco with tonic and lemon or Martini Fiero with ice and orange are the best summer drinks, combining distinct flavour with elegant simplicity. Each variant – Bianco, Rosso or Fiero – allows for a different approach to serving and composing additions, from herbs to citrus fruits. Martini can be the base for more sophisticated cocktails, such as Negroni or Martini Royale, but it also tastes excellent in its minimalist version. By choosing the right glass and additions, you can easily create your own summer classic.
Martini Bianco cocktails
The best Martini Bianco cocktails are those with added citrus! Its refreshing taste and vanilla aromas also harmonize with other herbs. Two top recipes are Bianco Spritz and Bianco Tonic – the first served in a white wine glass, and the second in a martini glass.
Bianco Spritz recipe
Ingredients:
- 60 ml Martini Bianco
- 60 ml orange juice
- 40 ml sparkling water
- 20 ml grapefruit juice
- 10 ice cubes
- Orange slices and mint for garnish
Instructions:
Fill a wine glass with ice, add orange slices and mint. Pour in Martini Bianco, citrus juices, and sparkling water. Mix thoroughly. Drink chilled.
Bianco Tonic recipe
Ingredients:
- 60 ml Martini Bianco
- 30 ml tonic
- 5 ice cubes
- A slice of lemon or lime peel for garnish
Instructions:
In a shaker, mix Martini Bianco with ice. Strain into a martini glass. Top with tonic. Place a citrus peel on top.
Martini Rosso cocktails
Martini Rosso cocktails are dry and slightly heavier than those made with other varieties. They are prepared with other alcohols and syrups. They look excellent in classic martini glasses.
Sweet Manhattan recipe
Ingredients:
- 60 ml Martini Rosso
- 30 ml bourbon
- 1 tsp maple syrup
- 2 drops of Bitterol liqueur
- 5 ice cubes
- Orange peel for garnish
Instructions:
In a shaker, mix both alcohols, maple syrup, and Bitterol with ice. Strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with orange peel.
Negroni Sbagliato recipe
Ingredients:
- 30 ml Martini Rosso
- 30 ml Campari
- 30 ml prosecco
- 3 ice cubes
- Orange slices for garnish
Instructions:
Place ice in a martini glass. Pour in all the alcohols – vermouth, Campari, and finally prosecco. Mix everything and garnish with an orange slice on the rim.
Martini Fiero cocktail
Almost all over the world, the Martini Fiero drink is synonymous with the Aperol Spritz cocktail. Thanks to the publicity it gained through social media, it is served in restaurants from Asia, through Europe, to both Americas. It can be approached in two ways, serving Fiero at home in a less or more dry version.
Martini Fiero with prosecco recipe
Ingredients:
- 90 ml prosecco
- 60 ml Martini Fiero
- 30 ml sparkling water
- 1-2 orange slices
- 10 ice cubes
Instructions:
Place ice in a large red wine glass. Then pour in prosecco, vermouth, and sparkling water - mix thoroughly. Finally, add one or two orange slices.
Martini Fiero with tonic recipe
Ingredients:
- 90 ml Martini Fiero
- 30 ml tonic
- 30 ml Bitterol
- 30 ml sparkling water
- 1-2 orange slices
- 10 ice cubes
Instructions:
Place ice in a large wine glass. Then pour in vermouth, tonic, and Bitterol - mix thoroughly. Add orange slices – drink chilled.