Martinez vs. Martini: Flavors, Origins, and Recipes

Martinez cocktail in coupe with lemon twist

The Martinez and Martini are cornerstone cocktails in the world of classic mixology. Both have rich histories and distinct personalities, yet their shared DNA often leads to confusion. Understanding their differences helps drinkers appreciate the evolution of the modern cocktail and confidently order—or mix—each with intent.

Martinez Cocktail: Old Roots, Layered Character

The Martinez stems from the late 1800s, making it a likely precursor to the Martini. Traditionally built with Old Tom gin—a sweeter style—plus Italian (sweet) vermouth and a hint of maraschino liqueur, it delivers herbal, slightly nutty, and gently candied notes. Angostura or orange bitters bring a spiced backbone, while the citrus twist brightens the rich profile.

Martini: Crisp, Minimal, Iconic

Emerging out of the dry movement of the early 20th century, the Martini trimmed away much of the Martinez’s sweetness and character. Dry gin replaced Old Tom; dry vermouth stood in for the sweet. Bitters became optional—sometimes vanishing entirely. Garnishes shifted to lemon peel or olives. The result: a piercing, aromatic blend where herbal gin and vermouth interlock, bone-dry and bracingly direct, a far cry from the softer Martinez.

Classic Martini in a V-shaped glass with olive

Comparing Ingredients and Flavor Profiles

Base spirit: Martinez calls for Old Tom gin (rounder, sweeter); Martini relies on London Dry gin (peppery, dry) or, less commonly, vodka.
Vermouth: Martinez uses sweet (rosso) vermouth; Martini uses dry vermouth.
Modifiers: Maraschino liqueur and sometimes bitters in Martinez; bitters minimal or omitted in Martini; no liqueur.
Garnish: Martinez is typically finished with a lemon twist; Martini gets a lemon twist or green olive, sometimes a cocktail onion (for a Gibson variation).
Flavor profile: Martinez is lush, mildly sweet, and complex; Martini is crisp, clean, and spirit-forward.

Martinez Recipe (Classic Style)

45 ml Old Tom gin
45 ml sweet vermouth
7.5 ml maraschino liqueur
1 ml Angostura or orange bitters
Lemon twist, for garnish

Add all ingredients (except garnish) to a mixing glass filled with ice.
Stir well until thoroughly chilled.
Strain into a chilled coupe glass.
Garnish with a lemon twist.

Martini Recipe (London Dry Gin Version)

60 ml London Dry gin
15 ml dry vermouth
1 ml orange bitters (optional)
Lemon twist or green olive, for garnish

Add gin, dry vermouth, and bitters (if using) to a mixing glass with plenty of ice.
Stir until well chilled and diluted.
Strain into a chilled martini glass.
Garnish with your choice of lemon twist or olive.

Why the Confusion—and Why It Matters

Many people ordering a gin cocktail encounter ambiguity between the Martinez and Martini because the former influenced the latter’s evolution. For home bartenders and cocktail enthusiasts, knowing the Martinez enables an exploration of richer, layered flavors, while mastering the Martini polishes skills in balance and minimalism—the core of modern mixology.

Martinez and Martini cocktails side by side in their signature glasses

Cultural Impact and Enduring Legacy

The Martinez quietly persists as a bartender’s favorite—a signal of knowledge and craft, bridging the gap between sweet-leaning 19th-century cocktails and the dry, stark lines of the modern Martini. Whether as an aperitif, a test of skill for the home mixologist, or a window onto cocktail history, both drinks have earned their place on a well-curated menu.