The King’s Birthday long weekend is just around the corner and King Charles’ favourite cocktail, the martini, is the perfect way to celebrate.

King Charles has long been known for his love of martinis and Gin Lane’s Grant Collins has revealed a fascinating behind-the-scenes detail from his time working at events attended by the then-Prince Charles in London.

According to Grant, Charles’ protection officers would arrive carrying a small wooden box containing a chilled glass and a pre-made martini, ready to be poured and served whenever required.

“It’s one of those details that has always stayed with me,” Grant said. “You could tell he really appreciated a properly made martini.

“I know he always uses gins made by one of his estates using botanicals from their gardens, Buckingham Dry Gin or Highgrove Organic.” 

Inspired by those experiences, Grant has created his own King’s Martini recipe and has sharing the exact method, along with expert tips for making a martini fit for a king (or queen) at home.

King’s Martini

• 30ml dry gin (Boodles works particularly well)
• 30ml Martini Extra Dry Vermouth
• Good-quality ice*
• Lemon twist, to garnish

Method: Add the gin and vermouth to a mixing glass filled with good-quality ice. Stir until thoroughly chilled, then strain into a frozen or well-chilled martini glass (a Nick & Nora glass works particularly well). Garnish with a crisp lemon twist and serve immediately.

Expert tips for making a martini fit for a king (or queen) at home

For the perfect martini, keep your gin, martini glass and mixing glass in the freezer and your vermouth in the fridge before mixing.

Good ice is vital to making a great martini. You can make your own at home:

1. Fill an empty ice cream container with 500ml of filtered water and freeze until solid.
2. Remove from the freezer until it just begins to melt, then refreeze.
3. Repeat this process three times.
4. After the final freeze, leave the ice until needed, then use a knife or small hammer to break it into blocks.

Each time the ice is refrozen it not only clarifies the ice but tightens the water molecules so your ice melts slowly and consistently, also great for a gin and tonic!

You can also have your King’s Martini expertly prepared for you at Gin Lane, located at 6A Kensington St, Chippendale NSW.