Today (June 19) is National Martini Day, and we’re putting a focus on the classic cocktail along with some riffs. Whether using gin or vodka, a Martini can go in a lot of directions, and we’ve got some unique twists in our roundup below.
If I sound like a broken record in this next sentence, forgive me, because I love a Martini made with gin. Gin, which wasn’t my favorite in my early days of imbibing, is probably my favorite spirit and far more versatile than expected.
As I’ve learned over time, the origin of National Martini Day is hard to pinpoint, as is the actual history of the Martini. Some historians point to the Martinez cocktail as the precursor to the Martini, which was introduced to the masses in the 1800s. There are also claims that the drink rose to prominence in 1910 at New York’s Knickbocker Hotel. What we can determine from older bartending manuals is that the drink usually involved gin, Italian fortified wine, and bitters.
My first Martini was made with Hendrick’s Gin, a curious choice for some due to the brand’s infusion of cucumber and rose, along with familiar gin botanicals of chamomile, elderflower, juniper, lemon peel, orange peel, caraway, coriander, cubeb berries, angelica root, yarrow root and orris root. Thanks to the expert bartenders of now-closed Washington, D.C. bar, Wisdom, I became adept at understanding different gins and expanding my choices.
In this year’s National Martini Day roundup, we have some familiar brands I’ve featured before, like Still G.I.N. and Reyka Vodka, along with brands new to me, Prairie Organic Spirits and Four Pillars.
I didn’t get a lot of pitches for this day, so this will be a quick read. If there are some brands or recipes we need to know about, email D.L. Chandler at dchandler@bhmdigital.com to get those on our radar for future roundups.
Have a happy National Martini Day.
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Photo: Ali Waxman / Getty
Spirit.Ed: Celebrate National Martini Day 2025 With One Of These Martinis was originally published on cassiuslife.com
1. 50/50 Martini (Still G.I.N.)
Source:Still G.I.N.
METHOD:
Place your serving glass in the freezer to chill (ideally 10+ minutes before making drink). Add gin, vermouth, and bitters to a mixing glass. Fill mixing glass with moderate size/up to 1”x1” cube ice cubes. Stir gently for 30-45 seconds (until very well chilled). Remove serving glass from freezer. Strain into the chilled glass using a julep strainer.
GARNISH OPTIONS: Lemon twist
2. Pistachio Espresso Martini
Source:Prairie Organic Spirits
(Featured in the 2025 Cocktailmanac, a free-to-use tool for learning about mixing drinks.)
½ oz Kamora Dulce de Leche Liqueur
1 ½ oz chilled espresso
½ oz pistachio syrup
Paint the inside of a martini or rocks glass with pistachio syrup. Shake remaining ingredients with ice until well chilled. Fine strain into the prepared glass over fresh ice.
3. Ripper To Start The Day
Source:Four Pillars
1 1/2 Oz Four Pillars’ Rare Dry Gin
1/2 Oz Orange Liqueur
2/3 Oz Lemon Juice
1 Barspoon Orange Marmalade
Egg White (optional)
Orange
Method: Combine all ingredients in a tin with ice and shake. Strain into a coupe glass and garnish with an orange twist.
4. Salty Sea Martini
Source:Reyka Vodka
Created by Reyka Vodka Ambassador, Jeffrey Naples
Ingredients:
2 parts Reyka Vodka
2 parts olive brine
2 dashes fish sauce
Method: Build in a mixing glass over ice and stir until chilled. Serve in martini glass with seaweed garnish.
5. The OG Passion Star Martini
Source:The Old G
Ingredients:
2 oz The Old G Gin
1 oz passion fruit purée
0.5 oz vanilla syrup
0.5 oz fresh lime juice
1 oz passion fruit liqueur
Passion fruit half for garnish
Method:
In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine The Old G Gin, passion fruit purée, vanilla syrup, fresh lime juice, and passion fruit liqueur. Shake well until chilled and silky smooth. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a halved passion fruit for a bold, exotic finish.
