how to make a smoky martini with gin and scotch whisky

The Smoky Martini can be considered as a variation of the Classic Gin Martini. It adds the smoky flavor of the Scotch Whisky to the herbal qualities of the Gin. As with the classic martini, you should use a premium Gin of good quality as the major ingredient of this drink is Gin.

There is usually no dry vermouth in this variation, but the Scotch Whisky substitutes for the vermouth by cutting the flavors of Gin. The use of vermouth is mostly based on your taste preference and optional. The choice of the Scotch Whisky determines the taste and flavor of the drink.

As each and every Scotch has an unique taste, a smoky martini made with different Scotch Whisky will have a different taste to it. Ideally, you should choose a peated whisky that is strong and has a distinct smoky flavor so that the drink can get the smoky taste from minimal amount of whisky.

Ingredients

  • 3 shots of Premium Gin, such as Hendricks.
  • Couple of dashes of peated Scotch Whisky
  • Couple of dashes of Dry Vermouth (optional)
  • Lemon Twist for garnish

Recipe/Preparation

  1. Add ice cubes in a martini shaker
  2. Add 3 shots of Premium Gin into the shaker
  3. Add a couple of dashes of the dry vermouth into the shaker (optional)
  4. Add a couple of splashes of the smokiest scotch whisky into the shaker
  5. Stir with a long bar spoon to mix the ingredients
  6. Strain the contents of the shaker into a chilled martini glass
  7. Garnish with a lemon twist
Smoky Martini with Gin and Scotch

Variations and Similar Drinks

  • Dry vermouth is optional. Many recipes completely omit the vermouth and uses just the Gin and Scotch Whisky.
  • Dreamy Dorini Smoky Martini: This uses Vodka instead of Gin and a splash of Pernod.
  • Sometimes Vodka is used as the base rather than Gin, but Gin works better most of the time.

Classic Gin Martini: No Scotch Whisky in this recipe, and just a little dry vermouth.

Tips and Notes

  • Using Scotch Whisky which is on the smoky side gives a good taste of the whisky. Laphroaig, Taliskar and Lagavulin are single malt scotches on the smoky side.
  • Blended scotch whisky can also be used, instead of the single malt scotch. Most Scotch Whiskies that have a distinctive smoky flavor of the whisky can be used.
  • As with the martini, you can also serve this drink shaken or stirred.
  • Use of dry vermouth can soften the sharp alcoholic taste of the drink, but that is pretty subjective and depends on the Gin and Whisky that is used.