Add a cherry touch to your dry gin martini with the imperial cocktail. This recipe is a deliciously simple cocktail made by adding a tiny amount of maraschino liqueur to the gin-vermouth mixture, adding a touch of fruity sweetness. The imperial is a great dinner cocktail that will go well with a variety of foods. With a good steak or prime rib dinner, you might really enjoy it, but it is also wonderful with seafood entrées.
Recipe Variations
It is best, just like the martini, when adapted according to your personal preference. For instance, you can pour less vermouth to make it “drier” or pour equal parts gin and vermouth, like in a 50-50 martini. In addition, you could shake it for a twist on the martini or substitute vodka for a martini with just a touch of sweetness. Maraschino is also a popular liqueur that you can add a little more if you prefer a little more maraschino; consider doubling or tripling the pour. If you prefer your drink a little sweeter, Cherry Heering may be the best alternative to Maraschino. Your beverage will retain its almond flavor without the bitterness. As a result of the switch, the drink will also have a slight red color. Another good substitute for maraschino is Kirsch, which retains the fruit’s clear color and gentle bitterness. You can’t compare it to the other two cherry liqueurs because it’s not as sweet.
Tips
If you like gin, make this martini with your favorite brand and have fun exploring different brands and styles. Surely, the London dry gin has always been a favorite style of gin, but there are many craft gins that would taste great in this drink as well. Gins that are softer may really pair well with Maraschino than gins that are more juniper-forward. It’s easy to treat vermouth as if it were a liqueur since it’s such an essential component of the bar. Fortified wines like dry vermouth have a much shorter shelf life than conventional wines. If the bottle has been open for more than three months and has not been stored in a refrigerator, it’s best to replace it. With this method, all of your martinis will become a lot better. Unless you have some real maraschino cherries, it is best to avoid garnishing the cocktail with the average neon red maraschino cherry. They are bleached and packed in a syrup that leeches into the drink and throws it off balance.
