PREP TIME 5 min
Given its name, the Upside Down Martini cocktail should probably belong in Netflix’s cult sci-fi series Stranger Things. In the parallel universe of a Reverse Martini, there are no monsters. The upside-down simply refers to the double vermouth-to-gin ratio, turning a classic Martini on its head. Our divine Reverse Martini recipe also calls for a dash of orange bitters, and those in search of an aperitif or amaro will love this smooth-sipping cocktail.
Fill a large glass or jug halfway with ice and pour over all the ingredients
Stir until chilled and then strain into a chilled cocktail or coupe glass and garnish with lemon peel
The flipping and reversing trend definitely doesn’t just belong to Missy Elliot, it goes way back to the 1800s when bartenders started switching things up, swapping the ratios of spirits to create a smoother sipping and lighter cocktail. Vermouth-based cocktails favor the flip of more vermouth as it tips them to the sweeter and more delicate side.
While the Classic Martini and Reverse Martini differ in the ratio of the ingredients, the method is the same and oh-so-easy. Simply stir the ingredients over ice before straining them into a suitably chilled coupé or cocktail glass. We’ll park the shaken or stirred convo for another day – for now, we’re going with the aficionados who insist on stirred, not shaken.
The deliciousness of this cocktail relies heavily on the quality of the vermouth, as it’s the dominant ingredient. Trust us, invest in a top-shelf bottle that’s extra dry, such as Cinzano 1757 Extra Dry with its crisp and herby dry wine notes. You’ll also need a dry gin, such as Bulldog London Dry Gin, with its classic juniper base layered with the unique taste of poppy seeds and Chinese lychee. This unusual UK-distilled gin, inspired by Sir Winston Churchill, is definitely one to try!
For the perfect sip:
