Celebrate National Martini Day With These 5 Creative Riffs on the Classic Cocktail

Celebrated on June 19, National Martini Day presents a wonderful opportunity to cherish one of the world’s most iconic gin-based cocktails. To help you sip in style, here are five creative martini riffs worthy of a boozy holiday toast.

Hedgerow Martini

(Photo: Bertha’s Revenge)

• 2.5 oz Bertha’s Revenge Irish Milk Gin (find our aggregated review here)
• 3 oz Bertha’s Revenge Sloe Gin
• 1 oz Fresh lime juice
• Dash of elderflower liqueur
• 2 Frozen blackberries

In a cocktail shaker full of ice, pour in both Bertha’s Revenge classic gin and sloe gin. Then add lime juice, elderflower liqueur and frozen blackberries. Shake until icy cold and strain into a chilled martini glass.

This cocktail includes two gins from Irish spirits brand Bertha’s Revenge. Both expressions are produced with a whey base, which lends a creamy texture and subtle sweetness. If you don’t have these spirits on hand, try using your favorite spice-forward gin and sloe gin.

Parmesan Espresso Martini

(Photo: Just Shake or Stir/”Parmesan Espresso Martini. Yes. it’s a thing“)

• 1 oz Chilled espresso
• 1 oz Gin of choice (recommendations here)
• 1 oz Coffee liqueur
• 1/2 oz Simple syrup (or to taste)
• Wedge of quality Parmesan cheese

Brew a shot of espresso and let it cool down. Fill a shaker with ice and add the cooled espresso shot, gin, coffee liqueur and simple syrup to the shaker. For a less sweet drink, feel free to use less simple syrup or leave it out altogether, as coffee liqueur is already sweetened.

Shake the mixture vigorously for about 10 seconds and strain it into a chilled martini glass. Then, grate a small amount of quality Parmesan cheese right on top of the cocktail — seriously, don’t use the stuff that comes pre-grated in a plastic shaker with a green lid.

Hendrick’s Martini 

(Photo: Hendrick’s Gin)            

• 2 ½ parts Hendrick’s Gin (find our aggregated review here)
• ½ part Dry Vermouth
• Cucumber to Garnish

Stir ingredients well with ice cubes in a mixing glass. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a cucumber slice.

Featuring Hendrick’s Gin and a cucumber slice, this cocktail is vegetal, smooth and just a hint rosey. If you don’t have this spirit on hand, try using your favorite floral gin.

Tinned Fish Dirty Martini

• 2 1/2 ounces gin of choice (recommendations here)
• 1/2 ounce dry vermouth
• Ice cubes
• Tin of anchovies in olive oil
• Garnish: 1 tinned anchovy fillet and green olives

Chill your martini glass by placing it in the freezer for a few minutes or filling it with ice and water while you prepare the cocktail. Take one anchovy fillet from the tin and skewer it on a cocktail pick along with a green olive or two.

Then, in a mixing glass, add the gin, dry vermouth and a few drops of oil from your tinned fish. Give your ingredients a quick stir until chilled. Strain your cocktail into your now-frosty martini glass and drop in your anchovy-olive garnish. Serve your cocktail immediately and enjoy!

Empress Martini

(Photo: Empress 1908)

• 2 oz Empress 1908 Gin (find our aggregated review here)
• 1⁄2 oz Lillet Blanc
• Grapefruit Twist

Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a grapefruit twist.

This cocktail features Empress 1908’s rich indigo hue and floral, grapefruit tasting notes. If you don’t have this gin ready, try another of your favorite color-changing gins or one that’s citrus-forward.

Find out more about Empress 1908 in an interview we had with Victoria Distiller’s master distiller.

Read next:

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