A Celebration of

world Martini Day

June 19th

What makes a great martini? From the base vodka to the perfect mix and the proper number of olives, keep reading to learn everything you need to know to make a perfect martini!

Vodka is one of the most popular spirits in the world, and has been around since the 15th century. As a neutral spirit, vodka has no taste on its own, but the mouth feel is extremely important. Yacht Life Vodka boasts its 17x’s distillation process because of the pureness of the spirit and the creamy mouth feel it creates.

Now let's talk martinis. A martini is made with vodka and vermouth (or gin and vermouth), and is usually served chilled. Though the martini is usually associated with James Bond, it was not Ian Fleming, but a man named Martini di Arma di Taggia who wrote the first known recipe for the martini in 1894. The traditional garnish - olives.

How many olives for the perfect martini? High tradition dictates that you must use an odd number of olives. One is fine, so is three, but using two or four olives would be a faux pas.

The martini now comes in a variety of flavors and iterations around the world at different establishments, and here at Yacht Life we have worked with master mixologist Rob Husted to create three special signature martinis of our own - the Yacht Life Vodka YACHTINI™, the Sun Deck Martini and the Starboard Martini. We have shared the recipes so you can create your own at home with a bottle of Yacht Life Vodka, available by clicking the shop link at the top of our site! CHEERS! 

The Yacht Life Vodka

Yachtini™

1.5 oz Yacht Life Vodka
1/2 oz Goldschlager
1/2 oz Light Creme de Cacao
2 oz Water
1/2 oz Simple Syrup
1 Dash of Angostura Bitters
Edible Gold Flakes

Combine all ingredients with ice in a shaker. Shake for 15-30 seconds. Strain over a chilled martini glass. Garnish with edible gold flakes.

The Yacht Life Vodka

Starboard Martini

2 oz Yacht Life Vodka
1/2 oz Dry Vermouth
1 oz Garden Kelp Syrup*
1 oz Water

Combine ingredients in a shaker. Shake and strain.

Garden Kelp Syrup

16 oz Sugar
16 oz Water
1 Whole Cucumber Sliced
1 Whole Celery Stalk Sliced

(2) 3" Pieces of Kombu Seaweed
*Lasts for 1 week when refrigerated.
Combine all ingredients in a pot on the stovetop on low heat for 1 hour. Turn off the heat and simmer for 1 hour.

The Yacht Life Vodka

Sundeck Martini

2 oz. Yacht Life Vodka
½ oz Licor 43
1 oz. Lemon Juice
1 oz. Simple Syrup
½ oz. Aquafaba
1 oz. Champagne
Cracked Black Pepper

Shake and strain all ingredients except champagne into a chilled martini glass. Top with champagne. Garnish with cracked pepper.

Happy Martini Day! Cheers!

The Sundeck Spritz

Light, bright, and dangerously easy to drink.

Ingredients

  • 2 oz Yacht Life Vodka
  • 1 oz fresh lemon juice
  • 1 oz elderflower liqueur
  • Sparkling water
  • Lemon wheel + fresh mint

Directions

Add vodka, lemon juice, and elderflower liqueur over ice. Top with sparkling water and garnish with mint and lemon.

The Palm Beach Martini

A cleaner, citrus-forward martini with a coastal feel.

Ingredients:

  • 2.5 oz Yacht Life Vodka
  • 0.5 oz dry vermouth
  • Grapefruit peel
  • Olive or lemon twist

Directions:

Stir over ice until ice cold. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Express grapefruit peel over the top before serving.

Yacht Life Espresso Martini

Because some summer nights shouldn’t end early.

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz Yacht Life Vodka
  • 1 oz espresso
  • 0.75 oz coffee liqueur
  • 0.5 oz vanilla syrup

Directions:

Shake aggressively with ice until frothy. Strain into a coupe glass.
Optional: garnish with dark chocolate shavings or a few espresso beans.

The Mediterranean Mule

Fresh and made for hot weather.

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz Yacht Life Vodka
  • Ginger beer
  • Fresh lime juice
  • Basil leaves
  • Cucumber slices

Directions:

Muddle basil lightly. Add vodka and lime juice over ice. Top with ginger beer and garnish with cucumber ribbons.

 

The Yacht Club Lemonade

Simple, Cold and Perfect.

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz Yacht Life Vodka
  • Fresh lemonade
  • Splash of sparkling water
  • Frozen strawberries or lemon slices

Directions:

Build over crushed ice and stir gently.

Here’s to yacht season! Cheers!