Martinesque: A Martinez Riff

Name: Martinesque: A Martinez Riff
Yield: 10
Cuisine: American

Recipe: Michael Satusky , Mujō , Atlanta

Photo: Andrew Thomas Lee

June 16, 2025

A nuanced take on the classic.

Mujō bartender Michael Satusky creates a complex and layered Martinez cocktail riff, playing up the cardamom, swapping the traditional sweet vermouth for nutty oloroso sherry, and balancing it with the delicate, plum sweetness of umeshu sake.

Ingredients

2 oz. Old Tom Gin
1 oz. oloroso sherry
3/4 oz. umeshu sake (Mujō uses Akashi Tai Shiraume Ginjo Umeshu)
2 dashes Angostura bitters
2 dashes Regan's orange bitters

Tools:mixing glass, barspoon
Glass:cocktail
Garnish:a sprig of hana hojiso or a twist of orange

Preparation

Stir until well-chilled and diluted, strain to a cocktail glass. Garnish.
NoteIf a home bartender uses a plain gin, Satusky suggests substituting in Fee Brothers Cardamom Bitters or Scrappy’s Cardamom Bitters for the Angostura bitters, as they’re more cardamom heavy and can make up for the lost cardamom notes with the gin swap.