Gin Mortini?

Had dinner at Morton's in Anaheim a few nights ago and enjoyed a Gin Mortini. You can probably figure out that a Mortini is Morton's version of a martini. But is there really anything special about the drink to earn the Mortini moniker rather than just the simple "martini"?

You can see on Morton's website that there is a lot of preparation involved in creating some of their more foo foo Mortinis. But what is so special about a Gin Mortini?

My standard gin martini is made with Tanqueray gin, a splash of Vermouth, a dash of Angostura bitters and 3 olives. Why Vermouth? Read more about it here. Why Angostura bitters? Check this out.

Apparently, many people love the same martini. Frank Sinatra loved it. Some call it a Golf Martini. Some call it the Classic Martini.

My version is a bit different. I use 3 olives...

And Morton's twist is to use olives stuffed with bleu cheese. I tried it. Nothing to rave about. It was good.

Here's my recipe:

Use a fine quality standard martini glass. 5 oz. is too small, so use a 7 oz. or larger.

Tanqueray London Dry Gin

Martini & Rossi Extra Dry Vermouth

Angostura Bitters

Slivered ice

3 Olives

• Add the slivered ice to
• Use a jigger shot glass (1.5 oz.) to measure a sufficient amount of Gin into a martini shaker depending upon the size of your glass. When I use a glass for the first time, I pour the shots in to the glass and dump the contents into the shaker in order to arrive at the correct count. There is no significant amount of other liquid to be added to the martini so fill it up!
• If you need to clean your glass after using it to measure your gin, do that now.
• Chill your glass by filling it with ice and add water.
• Once the glass is chilled, dump the water and ice.
• Pour a splash of Vermouth into the glass. Use enough so you can swirl the glass and coat the entire inside of the glass with Vermouth. Pour out any excess.
• Now, shake your gin. It's best to hold it with one hand and shake it over your shoulder so you'll look like a real bartender.
• Skewer 3 olives on a toothpick. Standard toothpicks are not long enough to handle 3 large olives so plan ahead or you'll end up with only 2 olives in your drink.
• Drop the olives into the glass and strain the contents of the shaker into the glass.
• No need for a garnish.
• Enjoy.

If you order this in a bar or restaurant, you'll need to request the Vermouth as many bartenders today will not use Vermouth. (See article above.) You'll also need to request 3 olives as most bartenders will only give you two. Depending upon the size of the glass used, you might need to ask for the olives on the side. Look around at other tables and down the bar before ordering. Some bars and restaurants use 5 oz. glasses. Horrendous! Three large olives in a glass will really cut down on the amount of gin you are able to enjoy.

I may try a few martinis at home with the bleu cheese stuffed olives. I have always liked them for snacking...

More on Frank, the Rat Pack and Dale's Martini in the next installment.