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Discover the secret to making the perfect martini

A seamless blend of simplicity and indulgence, it doesn't get much better than a delicious martini – especially when you use No. 3 Gin

6 mins read time  |  Written by Kayleigh Giles

Whether you like yours shaken or stirred, the secret to concocting the ultimate martini is a simple one: good quality gin. And when it comes to selecting the perfect spirit, it really doesn’t get much better than No.3 Gin.

Created by world-famous wine and spirits merchant Berry Bros & Rudd, this premium spirit stays true to the roots of London Dry Gin with an irresistible fusion of juniper, citrus and spice. The result is a crisp, uplifting and effortlessly versatile gin that’s been awarded the International Spirits Challenge ‘Best in Class’ gin trophy four times, as well as the prestigious Supreme Champion Spirit Award in 2019.

Now, No. 3 is on a mission to help you master the iconic martini. With a history dating back to the 1860s, this cocktail is a timeless classic born only from three ingredients; gin, vermouth, and your choice of garnish – traditionally lemon or olive. Of course, so few ingredients means everything you use needs to be of the highest quality.

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The methodical martini

“For a great martini, you need a great gin. You don’t need a whole host of botanicals to make a gin taste good; a good gin has to be built on top-quality juniper,” says Dr David Clutton, the only person in the world to hold a PhD in gin. “When you drink a martini, you get this lovely, fresh aroma from the juniper, alongside slightly bitter, earthy notes from the angelica. A lot of the aromas and flavour compounds in lemons are also very similar to those found in juniper, making citrus the perfect garnish for a martini. I like to compare it to an orchestra or a choir – all the ingredients are complementary, giving you a longer length of taste.”

Responsible for the meticulous balance of flavours and botanicals in No.3 Gin, David approaches the martini with scientific precision, explaining: “You think of the martini as being quite a simple cocktail, but in fact it’s one of the most complex that’s ever been developed.” Of course, that’s not to say every martini should be made the same. “There are so many theories on how it originated and how it should be made,” he adds. “But it’s about what you like to drink personally; what suits you, might not suit everyone else. That’s what makes the martini classic, reliable and a ritual of preparation.”

How to make the perfect martini

From wet to dry, Vespers to Gibsons, there are many ways to create a martini – but following these top tips will ensure yours is served to perfection.

1

Spirit.
Choose a high-quality gin (over vodka, for a traditional martini) like No.3.

2

Temperature.
Martinis are best served cold. Place your gin in the freezer to keep it cold and give your martini a silky texture.

3

Ice.
Never underestimate the importance of ice; it’s an important ingredient. Store in a sealed container within the freezer, so it doesn’t take on any other flavours.

4

Technique.
Always stir your martini to give you greater control over dilution and avoid aerating your cocktail. While James Bond may prefer his martini shaken, the result will be overly diluted and cloudy.

5

Garnish.
Not just there for aesthetic appeal, garnishes add another dimension to your cocktail. A twist of lemon, when expressed over the top of your martini, adds a lovely citrus aroma as the oils sit atop the cocktail.

Dry martini

Ingredients

60ml No.3 London dry Gin
10ml Dry Vermouth
1 lemon

You will also need

martini glass, chilled

Method

1 Add the gin and vermouth to a mixing glass filled with ice and stir for at least 15 seconds, to get the liquid as cold as possible.

2 Strain into chilled martini glass and garnish with the lemon twist.

Passion, precision, perfection

Just like making the perfect martini, crafting No.3 Gin is also a work of meticulous science and maths. It all starts with six botanicals; each one precisely weighed out to achieve a seamless blend of flavour. The botanicals are then added to a unique 100-year-old, brick-encased copper pot still in Holland, where they’re steeped in ultra-pure grain spirit for 16 hours. The next day, distillation begins, with the Master Distiller later collecting the ‘heart’ of the distillate to be triple-checked – it’s the only way to ensure it’s nothing short of spectacular! The gin is then brought down to a precise 46% abv (the perfect abv for the brand’s unique taste) and is ready to be bottled and, more importantly, enjoyed!

Want to sample No.3 gin for yourself?

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