London’s best martinis with a twist

The martini is experiencing something of a renaissance. This old standard is appearing front and centre on menus across London, reworked to showcase new flavours and techniques. Within the simple framework of clear spirit, vermouth, an optional dash of bitters and an olive or twist, bartenders are finding infinite room for creativity.

Not only is this a refreshing antidote to the tiresome orthodoxy that has historically dogged the martini – ‘Just wave the gin in the direction of France!’ – it’s further proof that London is the global capital of the cocktail. The martini may not have been invented here, but our bartenders are certainly showing the world what this old classic can do. It’s not for nothing that New Yorkers are falling over themselves to get a taste of the capital’s strongest martini.

There are plenty of places in town where you can sink a perfectly executed version. But the quality of those stirred up at the American Bar or Artesian is well documented and doesn’t need repeating.