Sakura Martini — A delicate, floral martini brushed with Japanese cherry-blossom bitters

Sakura Martini

A delicate, floral martini brushed with Japanese cherry-blossom bitters

Number of people

Ingredients

  • 2 dashesSakura Bitters
    Japanese cherry-blossom bitters
    Substitute: A floral or orange bitters
  • 1/2 ozDry Vermouth
    Well chilled
  • 2 1/2 ozGin
    A clean, floral gin
    Substitute: A junmai sake for a softer, lower-proof martini

Instructions

  1. Add 2 1/2 oz gin, 1/2 oz dry vermouth and 2 dashes sakura bitters to a mixing glass
  2. Stir with ice until very cold
  3. Strain into a chilled coupe and garnish with a lemon twist

Technique Notes

Stir until very cold and keep the vermouth light. Sakura bitters are delicate enough that a heavy vermouth buries the blossom entirely.

Why the Sakura Martini Works

Sakura bitters are delicate, so build the martini dry and cold and let two dashes tint it floral; over-stirring or a heavy vermouth will bury the blossom.