How to Make a Rum Martini

Martinis have become much more than just the typical cocktail of gin and vermouth. There are chocolate martinis, appletinis, lemontinis--pretty much any flavor variation you want to combine in martini-like fashion and serve in a chilled martini glass. There are also some variations made with rum. Some are fairly close to traditional and some are really off the wall. The rules are to chill your drink well, serve in a chilled glass and garnish with imagination. Try one or all and enjoy. Then go and invent your own variations.

Things You'll Need

• Martini glasses
• Cocktail shaker
• Ice
• Rum
• Other liquors
• Garnishes

Instructions

Rum Martinis

1. 

   Make a simple Rum Martini with 2 oz. of light rum and 1 1/2 tsp. dry vermouth. Put both liquors into a cocktail shaker with several ice cubes. Shake briefly to mix and chill, then strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a lemon twist or an olive.

2. 

   Make a darker version of the rum martini by mixing 2 oz. gold or dark rum in a mixing glass with ice. Stir until chilled and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with 3 olives. Some folks have been known to use a slice of lime or a jalapeño-stuffed olive for this one, but that's decidedly less traditional.

3. 

   Try a slightly less-traditional rum martini by adding orange bitters to the mix and changing the garnish. Half fill a cocktail shaker with chipped ice. Add 2 oz. light rum, 1/2 oz. dry vermouth and one or two dashes of orange bitters. Shake until well-chilled, then strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with an almond-stuffed olive.

4. 

   Jump directly into non-traditional territory with a rum and apple martini. This makes a savory cocktail for fall and winter. You may develop an attraction to applejack, an American apple brandy. Use a mixing glass half filled with ice. Add 2 oz. gold rum, 1 oz. applejack and 1 tsp. cinnamon. Stir until well-chilled and mixed. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with an apple slice. Try dipping the apple slice briefly into lemon juice and then into sugar to prevent browning and to add a bit of sweetness to the drink.

5. 

   Celebrate spring with a rum jubilee martini. Muddle 3 sprigs peppermint and 1/2 oz. sour mix in a mixing glass. Add 2 oz. light rum and ice. Shake well, then strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a peppermint sprig.

6. 

   Enjoy summer with a rum bluebird martini. Put 2 oz. light rum, 1/2 oz. blueberry liqueur and 1/2 oz. sour mix into a mixing glass with some cracked ice. Shake, then strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.

Tips & Warnings

• Try your own combinations; many flavors go well with rum.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• 12-Piece Martini Party Set
• Cocktail Shaker
• The Bartender's Best Friend: A Complete Guide to Cocktails...