Despite the minimal amount of ingredients, there are a lot of factors that can seriously damage the quality of a martini – the method (sorry, Mr Bond, but always stirred, never shaken); the garnish; the ratios; the glass (chilled, always). However, you may as well pour the whole lot down the sink if you don’t consider the most important factor: the spirit.
Whether you’re going vodka or gin, a non-negotiable is choosing the best quality spirit your budget will allow. Belvedere has long been considered the up there with the gold standard for a vodka martini – it’s velvety soft mouth-feel and smooth finish mean you’ll never experience that burn bottom-shelf bottles are famous for.
Now, the brand is on a mission to take your martinis (or vodka sodas) to the next level with the launch of Belvedere 10, a singular spirit that pays homage to the brand’s historic vodka-making prowess.
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The vodka is crafted from a single rye harvest, collected from a single field in northeast Poland. The liquid undergoes a ten-month testing period in order to elevate that signature smooth taste. Amplifying is the luxury feel is Belvedere 10’s innovative bottle. The oversized decanter features a unique faceted design, imagined in brilliant white with its chiseled edges throwing out a diamond-like sparkle.
While the signature Belvedere 10 martini recipe does leave the final garnish in the drinker’s hands (lemon zest for purists, or a single drop of olive oil for the more daring), it does come with one clear instruction: add a pinch of salt. While brine typically adds that saline flavor some like in a martini, using pure salt will give a much cleaner finish, especially if paired with a zingy lemon twist. Just make sure to get those glasses chilling in the freezer ahead of time.
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Ingredients:
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- 1 ¾ oz Belvedere 10
- ½ oz Dry Vermouth
- Pinch of salt
Method:
Add all ingredients to a mixing glass over cubed ice. Stir for 10 seconds, then strain into a (chilled) martini glass. Garnish with one drop of high-quality olive oil or lemon zest.
