3 Classic Cocktails: Espresso Martini, Dry Martini and Negroni — recipes worth knowing
There is something about a quiet evening that does not need to be filled. A glass in hand. Soft light. Time moving a little slower than usual. These moments are rarely about complexity — more about what feels right.
Cocktails, in a way, follow the same idea. Not as a performance, but as a small ritual. Something you understand, repeat, and eventually make your own.
Today — three classic cocktails you can easily make at home: Espresso Martini, Dry Martini and Negroni.
Espresso Martini — how to make it at home
A cocktail that both energises and relaxes. Perfect for an evening when you want a bit of clarity without the noise. It first appeared in London in the 1980s, when a model asked for a drink that would wake her up while still feeling smooth.
Ingredients:
— 40 ml vodka (I often replace it with gin — it gives a deeper, drier taste)
— 20 ml coffee liqueur
— 30 ml fresh espresso
— ice
Preparation:
Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled glass. Fresh espresso is essential — it defines the taste of an Espresso Martini.
Negroni — a classic Italian cocktail
A drink with character. Bitter, structured and honest. It originated in Florence, when Count Camillo Negroni asked to strengthen his Americano by replacing soda with gin.
Ingredients:
— 30 ml gin
— 30 ml Campari
— 30 ml sweet vermouth
— ice
— orange peel
Preparation:
Build directly in the glass over ice and finish with orange peel. The classic Negroni is all about equal parts and simplicity.
Some things do not need to be reinvented. A few well-made cocktails, good ingredients, and attention to detail are often enough. The rest is just the moment you create around it.
*Some of the images used in this newsletter are sourced from Pinterest for visual reference and inspiration.
Dry Martini — a classic recipe
Minimalism at its best. A classic cocktail built on gin and dry vermouth, where precision matters. Its cultural status was largely shaped by James Bond, although the classic version is stirred, not shaken.
Ingredients:
— 60 ml gin
— 10 ml dry vermouth
— ice
— olive or lemon twist
Preparation:
Stir with ice and strain into a chilled glass. Balance and temperature make all the difference in a proper Dry Martini.
Quote of the Week
It’s better to do and regret than not do and regret.
Lewis Carroll
Fact in the Spotlight
The word “cocktail” first appeared in print in 1806, described as a mix of spirits, sugar, water and bitters. More than two centuries later, the structure has barely changed — only the interpretation has.
That’s all for today. See you on Saturday next week!
Yours sincerely, Anton Masko
