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The Gin Martini is a timeless classic. Elegant, aromatic and unapologetically grown-up, it's the cocktail that defines sophistication. With just gin, vermouth and a garnish, the magic lies in the balance and the chill factor.

Whether you’re kicking off a dinner party or treating yourself to a well-earned wind-down drink, the Gin Martini is one to have in your cocktail toolkit. Clean and crisp with a botanical backbone, it’s the kind of drink that rewards quality ingredients and a little finesse.

Classic Gin Martini Recipe

Ingredients:

• 60ml quality gin like Scapegrace Dry or Tanqueray No.10 (the pros swear by this one!)

• 10ml dry vermouth (adjust to taste). We recommend Noilly Pratt or Reid + Reid Dry but any dry vermouth will be alright (just make sure you keep it in the fridge once opened!

• Ice

• Lemon twist or green olive, to garnish

Method:

1. Fill a mixing glass with ice. Add the gin and vermouth.

2. Stir for 20 to 30 seconds until chilled and just slightly diluted.

3. Strain into a super chilled martini glass or coupe.

4. Garnish with a lemon twist for brightness, or an olive for something savoury.

Martini Variations Worth Trying

• Dry Martini: Dial back the vermouth for a stronger, sharper sip.

• Wet Martini: Add more vermouth if you like a rounder, softer flavour.

• Dirty Martini: Add a dash of olive brine and go for a salty, savoury twist.

Pro Tips

Start with a great gin. London dry styles are a classic pick, but if you’re feeling bold, try a New Zealand botanical gin like No8 Dunners Dry to add a local twist. Make sure everything is cold — gin, vermouth, glass and mixing tools. This drink is all about that crisp, bracing first sip.

Whether you’re team lemon or team olive, there’s no wrong way to enjoy a Gin Martini. Just adjust the vermouth to your taste, stir with care and enjoy a cocktail that’s stood the test of time.

Clean, crisp and effortlessly cool, the Vodka Martini is one of the most iconic cocktails of all time. Whether you like yours shaken, stirred, wet, dry or dirty, this classic drink is all about simplicity and sophistication.

Made with just two main ingredients, the Vodka Martini is easy to master and even easier to personalise. It’s a go-to for pre-dinner drinks, date nights or anytime you want something strong and stylish in hand.

Classic Vodka Martini Recipe

Ingredients:

• 60ml premium vodka like Little Biddy Vodka, (or Cardrona Distillery's 'The Reid' Single-Malt Vodka if you're trying to impress)

• 10ml dry vermouth (adjust to taste). We recommend Noilly Pratt but any dry vermouth will be alright (just make sure you keep it in the fridge once opened!

• Ice

• Lemon twist or green olive, to garnish

Method:

1. Fill a mixing glass with ice and pour in the vodka and vermouth.

2. Stir for 20 to 30 seconds until well chilled and just slightly diluted.

3. Strain into a very cold martini or coupe glass.

4. Garnish with a lemon twist or a green olive. Your call.

Martini Tips and Tweaks

• Dry Vodka Martini: Use less vermouth if you like it sharper and more spirit-forward.

• Wet Martini: Add a little extra vermouth if you want a softer sip.

• Dirty Martini: Add a splash of olive brine and garnish with one or three olives (never two - it’s a superstition thing).

• Shaken not stirred? Sure, just keep in mind that shaking creates a colder, cloudier drink with more dilution. If that’s your style, go for it.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to making the perfect Vodka Martini, it really does come down to personal preference. Vodka and vermouth are the stars of the show, so use the good stuff and adjust the ratios to your taste. Serve it icy cold and don’t forget to chill your glass super cold for the cleanest finish.

Whether you’re a lemon-twist loyalist or all about olives, the Vodka Martini is a classic that never goes out of fashion.

The Manhattan is one of those cocktails that never goes out of style. Smooth, rich and just the right amount of bitter, it’s a drink that means business. Whether you’re winding down after a long day or dressing up for a night in, the Manhattan brings that old-school sophistication with barely any effort.

With just three key ingredients, this cocktail is all about balance - strong whisky, sweet vermouth and a dash of bitters. It’s the kind of drink that rewards good spirits, a bit of stirring, and a nice glass to serve it in.

How to Make a Manhattan

Ingredients:

• 60ml rye whisky or bourbon. We recommend Woodford Reserve Rye or Buffalo Trace Bourbon as great options.

• 30ml sweet vermouth like Dolin Vermouth Rouge

• 2 dashes Angostura bitters

• Ice

• Maraschino cherry, for garnish

Method:

1. Add the whisky, vermouth and bitters to a mixing glass filled with ice.

2. Stir until well chilled - around 30 seconds should do it.

3. Strain into a chilled coupe or martini glass.

4. Garnish with a maraschino cherry, and enjoy.

Manhattan Cocktail Variations

There’s a reason the Manhattan has stuck around since the 1800s - but that doesn’t mean you can’t make it your own. Here are a couple of easy tweaks to try:

• Perfect Manhattan: Use half sweet vermouth and half dry vermouth for a drier, more balanced profile. Dolin do both!

• Smoky Manhattan: Sub in a smoky Scotch or peated whisky for a deeper, earthier flavour.

Tips for the Best Manhattan

Use good quality spirits - there’s nowhere to hide in a drink this simple. A bold rye whisky will give a spicier kick, while bourbon will lean sweeter and smoother. Keep your vermouth fresh by storing it in the fridge and don’t skip the cherry - it’s more than just a garnish.

The Manhattan is proof that sometimes, less really is more. Stir one up next time you want a cocktail with character.