The Beefeater 24 Martini is a classic example of why classic cocktails should be served in smaller portions. They are potent and best served and sipped while still icy cold.
At first glance the Beefeater 24 Martini appears to be a three ounce cocktail. However it stirs or shakes out {according to preference} to approximately four plus ounces due to ice melt. The first few sips are heaven. The flavor is light, airy with beautiful grapefruit citrus on the nose. I love the way the Beefeater 24 Gin tea infusion weaves together so nicely with the Lillet Blanc. The Martini is spring-like in some ways with the citrus finesse. Yet is also late night, dim the lights Happy Hour elegant with its stylish tea notes.
Beefeater 24 Martini Recipe
Beefeater 24 Martini
2-1/2 ounces Beefeater 24 Gin
1/2 ounce Lillet Blanc
2 dashes Orange Bitters
Grapefruit Twist Garnish
Combine liquids in mixing glass with ice. Stir or shake {according to preference} to chill. Strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with grapefruit twist.
Beefeater 24 Martini Sidecar
Take that first few sips of martini heaven and make it good to the last Martini drop. My theory on straight liquor cocktails or nearly straight liquor cocktails is make them smaller or give them a ride.
I don’t want to gulp my Beefeater 24 Martini. I want to sip and savor my Martini like good conversation, good wine or savory food. This is a cocktail. It is not chug-a-lug beer or shoot it to get wasted shot. This is a Martini. Straight liquor. All alcohol. Straight to your brain. Call a cab. Designate a driver. Martini. Enjoy it.
Make the Beefeater 24 Martini smaller by cutting the ingredients in half. The cocktail stays chilled as you sip and enjoy the company of friends. You double your work having to make the cocktail twice. No worries. Your stir or shaker arm gets a double workout. Another option; make the full Beefeater 24 Martini, serve half in your cocktail glass and half in a sidecar carafe. Add a bit of grapefruit essential oil garnish to the carafe as well as the martini glass. Place the carafe in a dish of ice so it remains chilled. When your martini glass is empty, refresh the glass with the remaining cocktail from the chilled carafe. It’s like doubling your cocktail pleasure.
I often cut classic cocktail recipes in half or serve them in sidecar format. Personally I love smaller cocktail glasses. They remind me of a bygone era when Hollywood shaped film stars rather than created and crashed lives. Smaller, craftier glasses remind me to sip slower rather than wash away the day drink by drink. They also remind me of detail. Detail in the glass. Detail in the drink.
Add your comment: Would you rather a bar serve you a 4 ounce Martini or a 2 ounce Martini with 2 ounce chilled sidecar in reserve?
All content ©2013 Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist. All Rights Reserved. Chat with Cheri @Intoxicologist on Twitter and facebook.com/Intoxicologist or str8upcocktails@gmail.com
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I vote for the 4 oz martini. Adding a sidecar after the fact takes away from the collective drink.
I’ve not had Beefeater 24 before. I will add this to my list of drinks to make. Always appreciate a good martini.
I would love to hear what you think of the Beefeater 24 Martini once you’ve tried it, Marty. I first sampled it years ago at Tales of the Cocktail. Have loved it ever since. It’s good on the rocks too! ~ Cheri