Le Veau D’or Martini Recipe

Inspired by Quince

Time10m

Serves1

An austere Martini served with a salty highball 'sidecar.'

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Ingredients

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1
Chill glass
Place a chilled coupe or chilled Martini glass in the freezer for at least 5 minutes or fill it with ice and water while you prepare the drink.
2
Combine spirits and bitters
Add 3 oz gin, 0.5 oz dry vermouth, and 2 dashes orange bitters into a mixing glass. Add large ice cubes so the liquid is well-covered.
3
Stir
Stir gently with a bar spoon for 30–45 seconds (roughly 20–30 revolutions) until the mixture is well-chilled, slightly viscous, and the edges of the ice begin to frost.
4
Prepare lemon twist
While stirring, use a paring knife or vegetable peeler to cut a thin strip of lemon peel (about 1 x 2 inches). Express the oils over the mixing glass by holding the peel skin-side down and giving it a quick twist, then set aside.
5
Strain and finish
Discard the ice/water from the chilled glass if you used that method. Double-strain or fine-strain the stirred Martini into the chilled glass, leaving it clear and austere. Rub the rim lightly with the reserved lemon wedge if you want a faint saline/citrus note (optional). Catch the expressed peel oil on the rim, then drop the lemon twist into the drink or rest it on the edge.

6
Salt rim
Run the lemon wedge around the outside top edge of a highball or Collins glass where it will contact the mouth. Pour a small pinch of fine sea salt onto a plate and dip just the outer rim of the glass into the salt so it adheres. Do not over-salt; the rim should have a thin, even coating.
7
Assemble highball
Fill the rimmed highball glass with ice cubes. Pour 4 oz chilled club soda or sparkling water over the ice. Add a very light pinch (about 1/8 tsp) of fine sea salt directly to the soda and stir gently once to distribute — this creates the 'salty' character without making the drink overtly salty.
8
Garnish and serve
Slip the lemon wedge onto the rim or place it inside the highball as garnish. Serve the highball immediately alongside the Martini so the guest can sip the austere cocktail and take refreshing, saline sips from the sidecar.