The gin martini is more than just a delicious drink, it’s the godfather of cocktail culture, having endured and evolved over more than a century.

Since its inception in the late 1800s, the martini has seen numerous variations, adapting to the tastes and trends of each era without losing its core identity.

According to Sean Baxter, Co-founder and Brand Director of Never Never Distilling Co., there aren’t many cocktails that have the unique ability to connect us with the past while staying firmly rooted in the present, offering a taste that’s as alluring today as it was when the first martini was poured.

Fuelled by a growing appreciation for premium spirits and the artistry of mixology, gin, with its complex botanicals and versatile flavour profile, has emerged as the spirit of choice for those seeking to explore the depth and breadth of martini crafting.

Baxter loves the martini because there is “nowhere to hide” when you make one.

“It is a true showcase of the quality of the gin, the dedication of the bartender and your aptitude for alcohol,” he said.

“I enjoy that the martini occasion is as varied as its recipes, it can be consumed in the fanciest of Manhattan cocktail bars or while folding up your clean laundry after the kids are finally asleep. Once you have learned the precise way you enjoy a martini it is a gift that continues to keep on giving.

“Never Never has slightly over indexed on ‘martini’ gins over the years, largely because we love them so much. Great martini gins (in my opinion and certainly one that isn’t shared by everyone) are abundant in textural delights, containing botanical character that sits on the palate and continues to evolve and excite.”

The gin versus vodka debate

Baxter said that while gin is forever indebted to vodka for making martinis cool again – “That’s what happens when James Bond starts drinking them at parties thrown by Russian oligarchs” – a vodka martini lacks the complexity and the nuance of a version using gin.

“I appreciate that is the very reason why some people prefer them, they are chasing a more neutral drinking experience that is driven by texture and temperature over an abundance of flavour,” he said.

“It’s a shame most people’s experience with martini’s is often with vodka first – much like the spy – because they are familiar with the serve, only to be disappointed when they receive an overly diluted, expensive, alcoholic mess which puts them off martinis forever.

“A stirred gin martini, poured into a frozen glass, made liberal lashings of freshly opened dry vermouth, garnished with an olive or twist is something completely different”

Why Aussies have fallen in love with Martinis

According to Baxter, Australians are a very educated bunch when it comes to the things we like to drink.

“Over the last several decades you have seen similar shifts in the market when it comes to other aligned categories such as beer and wine,” he said.

“In the 90’s it wasn’t uncommon for many bars and pubs to have a very basic wine menu that predominantly served white or red wine by the glass without too much explanation about the grape variety or style.

“Beer was similar, with local or imported lager the only thing to be found, especially on tap. As people’s tastes evolved, so too did the demand for something a little different or even more premium. As wine and beer varieties exploded, local spirit categories followed suit. Now with such a huge volume of gin in the market, it’s natural for enthusiasts to explore different ways of drinking it and a new martini age has emerged off the back of that gin popularity.”

Here Baxter shares three really good, yet really different variations of the gin martini, and some simple tips and tricks to ensure you can recreate the martini experience at home.

The Gibson Martini

Baxter recommends making this one with Never Never’s Triple Juniper gin, as he says it is abundant with juniper forward flavour that delivers an outstanding martini experience.

“Its slightly higher abv of 43% means it has tremendous length and is dripping in classic London Dry character,” he said.

As for The Gibson Martini, he describes it as “without a doubt the best thing to come out of America” as it embraces a slightly more savoury twist, using pickled cocktail onions as a garnish.

60ml Never Never Triple Juniper Gin
10ml quality dry vermouth
2 dashes of orange bitters
1 bar spoon of onion vinegar (optional)
2 cocktail onions

Method: Add all ingredients to a mixing glass. Fill with ice. Stir until a frost develops on the outside of the mixing glass.

The Pacific Martini

An ode to the sea, this unique martini uses oyster shell-infused gin to deliver a subtle maritime salinity that complements the gin’s botanicals.

“Our Oyster Shell Gin couldn’t be any more contemporary in style, being one of very few gins that utilse fauna in its distillation process, albeit just the shell,” Baxter said.

“Oyster Shells are used for mouthfeel and character, rather than flavour alone. Coastal botanicals are utilised for their umami on the palate, making Oyster Shell Gin a mecca for savoury martini fans – try it with a cocktail onion ‘pearl’ instead of an olive or twist.”

70mL Dark Series Oyster Shell Gin
10mL Dry Vermouth
Lemon twist to garnish

Method: Add gin and vermouth into a mixing glass, add ice and stir well. Pour into a chilled martini glass and garnish with lemon twist.

Dry Gin Martini

Using Never Never’s ARGO Gin as its base, which was developed in collaboration with the iconic ARGO Bar at the Four Seasons Hong Kong, the gin has a subtle champagne hue and a complex palate. 

70mL Dark Series ARGO Gin
10mL dry vermouth
Lemon peel to garnish

Method: Add gin and vermouth to a mixing glass, add ice and stir. Pour into a chilled martini glass and garnish with lemon peel.

4 tips for mixing the perfect martini

• Chill your glassware: a chilled glass will keep your martini at the perfect temperature longer, enhancing its flavours.
• Experiment with vermouth: the gin-to-vermouth ratio can dramatically alter your martini’s profile. Don’t be afraid to experiment to find your perfect balance.
• Stir, don’t shake: stirring your martini ensures clarity and maintains the gin’s integrity, offering a smoother taste.
• Garnishes matter: the right garnish can transform your martini. Experiment with different options to find what complements your chosen gin’s botanicals best.