The do’s and don’ts for a perfect martini, according to a scientist
There are people who are perfectly happy to pour two liquids, one of them alcoholic, into a glass off the cuff and simply enjoy the result. (As my late stepfather-in-law said about a rum and Coke: the Coke is for the color).
But of course there are also purists who are even willing to conduct scientific research when it comes to the perfect proportions of a cocktail. Down to the exact milliliter, in this case, to arrive at the ideal martini!
Bond got it wrong
And we can reveal right away: no matter how well James Bond does his thing, according to scientist and cocktail mixologist Stuart Bale, insisting on a martini being shaken and not stirred is a huge faux pas. Shaking dilutes the whole thing, making your martini 10 percent more watery than when it is stirred. Look, we understand that Bond may need to stay a little sharper than other martini drinkers, but according to Bale, the only way to truly experience the flavors of a gin martini is to order or make it stirred, not shaken.
Get rid of the vodka
Using vodka instead of gin is also not a good idea, according to Bale. An original martini consists of gin, vermouth, and a small piece of lemon peel. The base should have the botanical layers of gin (from all the plants used in distilling it, and each maker’s individual recipes), while vodka has a much less complex structure and, according to him, also mixes less well with vermouth.
Salt makes everything better
An olive in it, then? Nonsense too, says Bale. That also masks (just like vodka) the true complexity of the gin with vermouth. He admits that salt enhances ‘inherent’ flavors, and that he therefore understands why people like to put an olive in a martini. But according to him, you are much better off adding one or two drops of saline solution to the martini, allowing the flavors to emerge without the salt overpowering the other flavors.
Who dares
Would you still dare make a martini if your every move were being scrutinized like this? Don’t worry, just go for it. Otherwise, you can always leave it to the pros and, for example, order a martini at the bar from Tess Posthumus (Flying Dutchmen Cocktails in Amsterdam)!
Read also:
- Why you should NEVER drink vodka with sparkling water
- Espresso Martini, move over; this is the latest Martini hit
- Batching is the latest trend in home cocktails, and you want in too (plus 3 recipes!)
Source: Huffington Post
