Sharkbaits Cocktail of the Week: Fire In The Hole!

Hello and happy Friday! This week I chose to consult my copy of the Savoy cocktail book. Why this one specifically? I was informed earlier this week that I will be heading to London for a 2 week work trip in a couple months. I figure if I’ve got a weekend off in the city (not THE City of London) I might as well visit a bar I’ve always wanted to check out. With that in mind, I thought I would do some more advanced intelligence gathering and make myself more drinks from their bar so I can pick something when I get there. Also to use as a measuring stick to see how bad of a bartender I am compared to the professionals there.

This week I chose a simple gin martini called The Artillery. Its two ingredients and seems like it would be pretty potent. Seems right up my alley!

The Artillery

1/3 Italian (sweet) Vermouth – I used an ounce

2/3 Dry gin – I used 2 ounces

Shake well and strain into a cocktail glass

There is a very faint vermouth aroma here. I think it sets itself up for success. As to the gin, I pick up next to nothing here. It’s funny. As strong of a flavor and smell gin has, it easily takes a backseat to most other additions to it in drinks. To it’s benefit I think. Intense gin could be very off putting.

This is good. The sweet vermouth counters the gin nicely up front. So you get a nice mixture of the sweetness mixed with the dry juniper and gin flavors. As the sip dissipates, the gin starts to poke through a little bit, but it’s still unable to really break through. The signature flavors just seem to intensify, without overpowering and leaving your palate with too much gin flavors.

And that’s the way it finishes. Slightly sweet, with a edge to the dry gin. I will admit, the name led me to believe it would be a little more potent than I think it is. Though that could just be my and my preference to stronger drinks, because this is legit straight booze, no filler at all. So take my review with a grain of salt here. Overall, I think if given the choice from the Savoy book, I’ll make myself a medium martini as opposed to The Artillery.

(Banner image courtesy Matthew Tetrault Photography)