MEAD MARTINIS

No one is sure of the exact origin of the Martini. Maybe from the Martini brand of vermouth. It may have evolved from a cocktail called the Martinez.  This was served at the Occidental Hotel somewhere around 1860.   This San Francisco bar was frequented by people before they took at ferry ride to nearby Martinez,California.

A dry martini has little to no vermouth.^[4] If you order a martini "extra dry" even less vermouth is added. This became a common drink order by the Roaring Twenties.

A wet martini contains more vermouth

A mead martini replaces the vermouth with a dry Metheglin mead-Solstice Metheglin.  This adds a unique spicey, floral aroma to this classic drink.

Mead Martinis

• 2 1/2 ounces Sherringham Seaside Gin
• 1 ounce Solstice Metheglin Mead
• Ice
• Lemon peel twist for garnish
• Optional – Lemon or Orange bitters

EQUIPMENT

• Cocktail shaker

• Hawthorne strainer

• Fine-mesh strainer (if shaking the martini)

• Bar spoon

• Jigger or 1 oz shot glass

• Martini  glass

• Pairing knife or Y-Peeler

INSTRUCTIONS

Stirred

1. Chill the glass: Before you build your Martini, put your Martini glass in the freezer.

1. Build the drink: Place measured Sherringham Seaside Gin and Solstice Metheglin Mead in a mixing glass.

1. Stir and strain: Add ice cubes and stir for 30 seconds until the Martini is chilled. Strain the drink into your chilled Martini glass.

1. Garnish the drink: Use peeler to peel a lemon peel, and pinch the back of the lemon peel over the martini. Rub the lemon peel around the rim of the glass and drop it into the glass. 

Shaken

1. Chill the glass: Put your Martini glass in the freezer to chill.

1. Build the drink: Place the Sherringham Seaside Gin and Solstice Metheglin Mead into shaker.
2. Shake the drink: Add cubed ice and shake vigorously for 10 seconds.
3. Strain the drink: If you prefer ice shards floating at the top of your Martini, then simply strain the drink into your chilled Martini glass. 
4. Garnish the drink: Pare the lemon peel, and pinch the back of the lemon peel over the Martini. Rub the lemon peel around the rim of the glass and drop it into the glass. 

Options

• 1/2 ounce more Solstice Metheglin Mead