Whether she likes them sweet, strong or savoury, thank Mum with a Martini.
This Mother’s Day, you can do flowers and chocolate, as tradition dictates, but to shake things up (literally), why not add a specially-made Martini to the gifting suite? Mum will be most impressed.
The first step is to make sure you have the right glassware – Martinis should be served in a martini glass or coupe (it really adds to the delivery) – so stock up, or borrow from your most cocktail-loving friend. Next, make it cold. The key to a good Martini, no matter how you like them, is making sure they are super chilled. Think of “cold” as an ingredient in itself because it’s just as important. So, get your ice trays filled ahead of time, or grab a bag of ice from the servo to be safe. Then, practise your shake. A bit of bar flair might make Mum extra proud.
French Martini time! Fancy, lush and sweet in the best way, a French Martini isn’t actually a Martini at all, but mum’s the word. Made with pineapple juice, vodka and Chambord (or another raspberry liqueur), it’s fruity and frothy (thanks to a vigorous shake) and the kind of thing that feels cool and sophisticated without too strong a taste. This is also particularly great for a brunch or long lunch celebration.
Serve it with: ricotta pancakes topped with blueberries and a side of bacon.
The coolest Martinis are the dirty ones. Some of the best bars make them so dirty they call them “filthy”. With Martinis, how grubby it is just relates to how much olive juice is added, which makes it more salty and sometimes more cloudy. Dirty Martinis can be made with gin or vodka – whatever her preference – olive brine and vermouth. Then serve it in a chilled glass and top with a few olives. Make sure you get high-quality olives (the green ones), and strain the brine to make sure it looks top-shelf.
Serve it as: an aperitif with a charcuterie board or some perfectly cut French fries.
For mums who like a flat white in the morning, an Espresso Martini in the evening goes down a treat. But here you can make it extra special with our Salted Caramel Espresso Martini recipe. It adds 15ml of salted caramel syrup to the vodka and coffee, with a delicious grating of honeycomb on top.
Serve it: as the cherry on top of a beautiful dinner you cooked (or ordered, whichever).
