Gordon's Recipe

Chill glass

Place a martini or coupe glass in the freezer or fill it with ice water and set aside to chill while you prepare the cocktail.

Measure and combine

Pour 2 oz Gordon's London Dry Gin and 0.5 oz dry vermouth into a mixing glass or a stirring vessel. If you prefer a drier drink, reduce vermouth to 0.25 oz; for wetter, increase to 0.75 oz.

Add ice and bitters

Add 1 cup of ice to the mixing glass so the spirits are well-chilled. If using, add 1 dash orange bitters to the mixing glass.

Stir

Stir gently with a bar spoon for 20–30 seconds (about 15–20 full rotations) until the mixture is well-chilled and slightly diluted — the mixing glass will frost on the outside.

Prepare garnish

If using a lemon twist: cut a 1-inch strip of lemon peel, avoid too much pith, and give it a quick twist over the glass to release oils. If using an olive: thread a green olive on a cocktail pick.

Discard the ice or ice water from the chilled glass. Strain the stirred gin and vermouth mixture through a julep strainer or fine strainer into the chilled glass.

Express the lemon twist over the drink and rub it on the rim, then drop it into the glass, or place the olive on the pick and rest it across the glass. Serve immediately.