Breakfast Martini recipe
A vibrant modern classic born in London marrying dry gin with orange marmalade.
Method: Shake and fine strain ·
Glass: Chilled coupe glass ·
Time: 4 min ·
Difficulty: Beginner ·
Family: Modern Classics
Ingredients
- 60 ml London dry gin
- 15 ml Cointreau
- 15 ml Fresh lemon juice
- 1 barspoon Orange marmalade (fine cut)
How to make a Breakfast Martini
- Add the gin, Cointreau, lemon juice, and orange marmalade to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
- Shake vigorously for approximately 15 seconds to ensure the viscous marmalade emulsifies completely.
- Double strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a chilled coupe glass.
- Express the essential oils from an orange peel over the surface and discard, then garnish.
Garnish
Garnish with a slender orange peel twist or a miniature toast point.
Pro tip
Stir the marmalade briefly with the liquid in the tin before adding ice to help dissolve the preserves. Always use a fine-mesh strainer to catch pulp and rind bits for a silky mouthfeel.
History of the Breakfast Martini
Created in 1996 by bartender Salvatore Calabrese at the Library Bar inside London's Lanesborough Hotel, the Breakfast Martini revolutionized the modern sour category. Legend holds that Calabrese was inspired by a breakfast toast and marmalade spread prepared by his wife, prompting him to experiment with fruit preserves in a gin sour. While some purists initially questioned incorporating preserves into a classic citrus template, the drink achieved widespread acclaim, cementing its status as a defining contemporary modern classic.
Flavour profile
Citrusy, Bright, Tart, Bitter-sweet
Variations
- Marmalade Scotch — Substitute blended Scotch whisky for gin for a maltier profile.
- Blood Orange Breakfast Martini — Use blood orange marmalade and fresh blood orange juice for a deeper berry note.
Practise making the Breakfast Martini in the free Virtual Bar game.