The Perfect Martini: A 50/50 Balanced Delight

The 50/50 Martini, also known as a halfsies martini, perfect martini, or simply a balanced martini, offers a delightful twist on the classic. This recipe achieves a perfect balance between gin or vodka and dry vermouth, resulting in a slightly less potent but equally sophisticated drink.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ ounces gin or vodka (choose your preference!)
• 1 ½ ounces dry vermouth
• 1 dash orange bitters (optional)
• Garnish: olive or lemon twist (optional)

Instructions:

1. Chill your glass: Place your martini glass in the freezer for 15-20 minutes before serving. This step ensures your drink stays refreshingly cold.

2. Combine the spirits: Pour both the gin or vodka and dry vermouth into a mixing glass filled with ice.

3. Stir it up: Unlike a shaken martini, a 50/50 martini is traditionally stirred. Use a bar spoon to gently stir the mixture for about 30 seconds, until well chilled and slightly diluted.

4. Strain and serve: Using a bar strainer, strain the chilled cocktail into your waiting martini glass.

5. Garnish (optional): Express the oils from a lemon twist or olive by twisting it over the drink and then dropping it in the glass, or simply add it for a touch of color.

Tips:

• Use high-quality gin or vodka for the best flavor.
• Freshly vermouth makes a difference! If you don't use vermouth often, opt for a smaller bottle to ensure freshness. Vermouth can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a month after opening.
• For a dryer martini, use slightly less vermouth.
• Play with the bitters! While optional, a dash of orange bitters adds a subtle complexity to the drink.

Enjoy this smooth and balanced 50/50 Martini - a perfect choice for any martini lover!