Alessandro Palazzi’s Martini Recipe, London

Martini Recipe

A few drops white, dry vermouth
A few drops from an organic Amalfi Coast lemon
1 slice lemon rind from a lemon
5 shots of frozen gin or vodka

The recipe is simple. The first step is crucial, whatever Martini you like. The first thing you have to have in a glass as cold as possible. You can either keep it in a freezer or put some ice in for a few minutes before pouring.  Then it’s the vermouth. Here at the Duke’s, we create our own vermouth in partnership with a small British distillery called Sacred distillery, in Highgate. We actually created the first English vermouth about eight years ago. We put a few drops of vermouth in the frozen glass stir, and I usually discharge on the floor. But that’s just for the show. Then the gin or vodka; At the Duke’s we freeze it.  Next, I slice a big slice of a lemon (from Amalfi. That’s very important.) I squeeze the lemon oil very gently onto the top. Because the spirits are frozen, the viscosity is much thicker, so the oil stays on top. Freezing also numbs the smell of the spirits so you won’t smell the gin or of the vodka. This way, when you lift the glass to drink the martini, the first thing that comes to your nose is the aroma of the Amalfi lemon. When you drink, it’s the nose, the first organ that interacts.  Finally, well, enjoy. At the Duke’s we want you to take your time. Once you step in, we want you to forget about time. No rush.