Equal parts of gin and vermouth create a sweeter, fuller drink than a classic martini.

Orange bitters offset the sweetness of the vermouth with a dash of bitterness.

Twisting lemon peel and rubbing it over the rim of the glass lends a citrus aroma without adding lemon juice.

The Martinez cocktail may be a predecessor to the martini , but these drinks could hardly be less alike to the modern palate. The Martinez starts with equal parts gin and sweet vermouth, and this alone distinguishes it in two ways from the modern martini. You then add a teaspoon of maraschino liqueur and either Angostura or orange bitters.

For this classic cocktail, it’s worth taking the time to find Old Tom gin . My preference for this drink is Ransom Old Tom, from Oregon. Distilled with malted barley, it has a maltiness that marries well with sweet vermouth. If you can’t find Ransom, Eric Seed’s Haus Alpenz line imports Hayman’s Old Tom from England.…