Your Ultimate Reverse Martini Guide: Ingredients, Ratios and Garnishes
'One martini is alright. Two are too many, and three are not enough’ this quote by American writer and humorist James Thurber hits hard! Well, guess what? You can get the best of both worlds—enjoy the delicious drink to your heart's content and avoid the heavy intoxication. We are talking about the Reverse Martini.
Reverse Martini
Reverse Martini or Upside Down Martini as the name suggests, reverse the proportions of ingredients (gin and vermouth) used in the Classic Martini. Gin is the dominant ingredient in Classic Martini, but in Reverse Martini, vermouth takes the lead, decreasing the strength of the cocktail.
Reverse Martini is among various variations of the Classic Martini, except, this one was well-loved by Julia Child, the woman who introduced Americans to French Cooking. Also, it was Child who with her humorously quirky ways referred to Reverse Martini as Upside Down Martini. It also is a radical iteration if you compare it with other versions of Classic Martini, which include 50/50 Martini, Dry Martini and Wet Martini. The practice of creating different versions of martini began in the 1930s.
Flavour Profile Of Reverse Martini
Reverse Martini bursts with aroma and taste. The lower alcohol content lets the subtle flavours of vermouth and gin stand out as they are not masked by the excessive liquor heat. Dry vermouth is fashionably used in very small amounts in most cocktails and the drinker is deprived from appreciating its delectable flavour. However, in the Reverse Martini, it is dry vermouth that is driving the flavours of the cocktail, leading drinkers to fully experience its flavour profile which is made with a grape base and various botanicals. The cocktail makes for a perfect drink for all vermouth connoisseurs and acts as an apt accompaniment for brunches as well.
Choosing Vermouth For Reverse Martini
To get the flavour of a traditional martini, choose a classic French dry vermouth. But if there's a dry vermouth you really like, you can also use it to make the cocktail.
Choosing Gin For Reverse Martini
London Dry Gin is the go-to spirit for martinis and is preferable for Reverse Martini too, as its crisp and clean profile lets vermouth shine. The juniper-forward liquor helps retain the essence of traditional martini even when it is used in smaller proportions.
Reverse Martini Recipe
Reverse Martini flips the ratio (2:1) which was used to make Classic Martini during its earlier days. Check out the recipe below:
Ingredients
60 ml French Dry Vermouth
30 ml London Dry Gin Tanqueray Gin
Method
Stir both ingredients in a mixing glass with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with an olive on a stick or a lemon twist.
Note:
- To recreate Julia Child's favourite drink, use gin and extra dry vermouth and garnish with lemon twist.
- If you enjoy a drier drink, increase the dry vermouth to gin ratio, you can go up to 5:1
- If you are blessed with a sweet tooth, substitute dry vermouth with sweet vermouth
While it's great to learn about alcoholic beverages and alcohol-infused foods, it is important to also consume alcohol moderately. Remember to serve and drink responsibly to ensure you and your guests are healthy and out of harm's way. If you know anyone who has trouble controlling their alcohol intake, please refer them to a professional immediately.
