Cocktail: Smoky Martini

My own compromise between recipes from two master bartenders, published on Liquor.com: Dale DeGroff’s Smoky Martini and Audrey Saunders’ Dreamy Dorini Smoking Martini.

• 2 1/2 oz London dry gin
• 1/2 oz single malt Islay Scotch
• Absinthe to rinse

Chill a martini glass. Rinse with absinthe. Stir the gin and scotch in a mixing glass with ice and pour into the prepared glass. Garnish with a twist of lemon.

I used Beefeater for my gin, though I suspect Hendrick’s would be appreciably better. Drumshanbo would probably be great as well. For Scotch, I used Laphroaig Oak Select.

The smoke comes through nicely. I imagine using a non-peated Scotch (the Classic Laddie from Bruichladdich is my favorite) would still create a great martini, but it would be a different drink.