Reverse Martini

Ratings: from .

PREP TIME 5 min

Cocktail Type

Martini

Great for

Summer

Difficulty

Easy

Close up of a Reverse Martini with orange peel

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.

 

QUICK TIPS

01

Twist the lemon peel over the glass to release the oils and drop straight into your Martini

02

A chilled glass is non-negotiable so put your martini glass in the freezer to chill before serving

03

Be sure to store your Vermouth in the refrigerator, like wine and be sure to drink it all within 3 months.

INGREDIENTS

MAKE FOR

1 Person

1 Oz

30 Ml

1 Parts

2
Dashes of orange bitters
A piece of lemon peel, to garnish
Ice

INSTRUCTIONS

01

Fill a large glass or jug halfway with ice and pour over all the ingredients

02

Stir until chilled and then strain into a chilled cocktail or coupe glass and garnish with lemon peel

What are Reverse Cocktails?

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.

How to make a Reverse Martini cocktail

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!

Pro tips for making the best Reverse Martini recipe

For the perfect sip:

  • A chilled glass is non-negotiable, so put your martini glass in the freezer to chill before serving.
  • Twist the lemon peel over the glass to release the oils, and drop straight into your Martini.
  • Although Vermouth is fortified, it’s like wine and starts to oxidize after opening, so keep it fresh and chilled in the refrigerator and be sure to drink it all within 3 months.
  • Be sure to explore all the other types of Martinis before settling on your favorite.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

A Dirty Martini is one with an extra-savory twist from the addition olive brine, giving it a different taste profile to an extra dry Martini. The opposite of these gin-heavy martinis is the Reverse Martini, which is often referred to as a Wet Martini as it has more dry vermouth and tastes much sweeter.

The term straight up is as it sounds, a drink served just as it comes and not on the rocks. The Martini will be made to the classic recipe, chilled over ice, either shaken or stirred and then strained into a glass without ice.

You reviewed: