In celebration of World Martini Day, No.3 Gin is pursuing the perfect martini. Over the next few months, the perfectionists at No.3 will be exploring what makes the perfect garnish, glassware and, of course, the recipe. The only Gin to win World’s Best four times has now invited industry experts to reveal what makes the perfect martini.

With a history dating back to the 1860s, the martini is a timeless classic. The perfect balance of simplicity and indulgence, it’s an iconic drink born from only three ingredients; gin, vermouth, and your choice of garnish – traditionally lemon or olive. And that’s why each of them demands the highest quality.

In revealing what makes the perfect martini, Alessandro Palazzi, Bar Manager at DUKES, says: “The glass, the temperature, the vermouth, and the spirit – which is the star of the show – and to finish, the citrus. If you don’t like citrus, you can use Nocellara olives. The perfect martini comes down to your choice of ingredients.”

Dr. David Clutton, the only person in the world to hold a PhD in Gin, is one of the distilling experts behind No.3 Gin. Responsible for the meticulous balance of flavours and selection of botanicals, he approaches the martini with scientific precision. “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. 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 lemon 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.

“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. There are so many theories on how it originated and how it should be made, 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 the top tips below will ensure yours is served to perfection:

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

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

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.

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

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.

Classic cocktails are experiencing a resurgence, with bartenders serving their own twists on iconic drinks and the martini now among the top ten most-searched cocktails in the UK[1]. Yet with its extraordinary simplicity and refined panache, the martini is truly a force to be reckoned with and a drink that will continue to stand the test of time.

Five of London’s Best Martini Bars, according to Fabiola Falasca, Senior Bartender at Lyaness

· Three Sheets

· Artesian

· The Connaught

· DUKES

· Satan’s Whiskers

True purveyors of quality, No.3 Gin is devoted to pursuing perfection – from the exacting standards needed to produce every drop of No.3, to the refreshing balance of juniper, citrus and spice. A relentless pursuit that has seen its liquid awarded World’s Best Gin four times. Its recently launched pre-bottled Vesper Martini, created in collaboration with Alessandro Palazzi, contains the finest vodka and vermouth, as well as No.3 Gin, and is a bartender-quality cocktail available to enjoy at home. For the ultimate drinking experience, chill the bottle in the freezer for two to three hours before pouring into a martini glass. Or, for the more spontaneous drinker, simply stir over ice, strain, and garnish with a twist of orange.

A sweeter riff on the classic martini

Ingredients:

– 60ml No.3 Gin
– 20ml Lustau Rose Vermouth
– Garnish: A twist of pink grapefruit

Method: Stir over ice in a mixing glass and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a twist of pink grapefruit.

No.3 Gin is available to purchase nationwide, including Waitrose, Amazon and The Whisky Exchange, at RRP £36. The No.3 Vesper Martini is available at Selfridges, John Lewis and Master of Malt, at RRP £29.95