Food - Drink
How A Vodka Martini Allows The Flavors Of Vermouth To Shine
By LAUREN CAHN
Some bartenders say that the vodka martini allows the complex flavors of vermouth to shine in a way a classic gin martini cannot. Many prefer vodka as a base alcohol for drinks, since the neutrally-flavored spirit enhances whichever mixers you choose, so it’s no surprise that vodka is better for those who like their martini heavy on vermouth.
Vermouth often boasts an array of complex, unexpected flavors, including rosemary, cinnamon, saffron, ginger, wormwood, citrus peel, cardamom, coriander, and chamomile. Vodka is able to lengthen and enhance these flavors, while gin adds its own appealing botanical character, but arguably covers up the notes of a good vermouth.
Mixology expert Jon Howard explains to Liquor that "Vodka allows you to present vermouth in a more poignant way," and that "It's not just botanical-on-botanical." The dryer gin martini may be classic and has many diehard purists behind it, but if you want to taste the large amount of complex flavors in vermouth, vodka is the best option.