Cocktail of the Week: Monkey 47’s ‘Monkey Martini’

Picture your perfect Martini. What does it look like? Ice-cold and overflowing with olives? Cloudy and coloured with a swirling lemon twist? Held out by a hand in white cuffs and black tie?

We thought so. But that’s only to be expected. A fusty, old-fashioned fug hangs over this classic cocktail — with most Martinis mixed with preconceived notions, poured into prescriptive glassware and served across the bars of carpeted, conservative clubs. But not ours. Here at Gentleman’s Journal, we like to do things a little bit differently. And, thankfully, so do Monkey 47.

"A fusty, old-fashioned fug hangs over this classic..."

Batch-distilled and hand-crafted, Monkey 47 is a Schwarzwald Dry Gin from Germany. It’s a spirited spirit; Black Forest-forward and with notes of pine, lingonberries and a grassy botanical sweetness. It’s also the ideal gin for our perfect Martini — one served outdoors on a fresh summer’s day.

This ‘Monkey Martini’ recipe from the brand is the perfect option for an al fresco cocktail, and adds even more excitement into the mix with a grapefruit garnish and a dash of traditional Turin liqueur, Italicus. But how does it change the classic drink?

“As you know, the standard modifier of a Gin Martini is a touch of dry vermouth,” explains Daniele Umoette, Senior Brand Ambassador for the German gin. “Monkey 47, however, is unconventional. And I think that the addition of Italicus — with its bergamot, lavender and chamomile notes — adds layers of complexity and matches the unique Monkey 47 aroma and taste”.