Easy
Bitter & Spirits palpable
3 minutes
Coupe Glass
Ingredients
How to Make a Alaska Martini
Bar tools you’ll need
Fine Strainer
Jigger
Twist Knife
Mixing Glass
Bar Spoon
How to Mix
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Add Ice Cubes to the Mixing Glass.
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Pour Gin and Yellow Chartreuse into the Mixing Glass.
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Stir with the Bar Spoon until well chilled.
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Strain into a chilled Coupe or Nick & Nora Glass.
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Express the oil of an orange twist over the drink.
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Garnish with a Twist Orange.
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Sip and enjoy!
All about the Alaska Martini
An Alaska Martini drink blends Gin, Yellow Chartreuse, and an Orange Twist for a stiff, herbal cocktail that stands out from standard Martini recipes. It’s usually stirred over ice and served up, often with a Orange Peel twist as garnish. This drink shines for anyone craving a floral, citrusy edge with a touch of sweetness, making it both classic and contemporary in feel.
An Alaska Martini offers a crisp, herbaceous taste with the mingling botanicals of gin and the honeyed, spiced edge of Yellow Chartreuse.
The Alaska Martini is said to have first appeared in print back in 1913. Legends point to it as an early 20th-century twist on the classic Martini, swapping usual ingredients for Gin and Yellow Chartreuse, and a dash of Orange Bitters. The story goes it was inspired by the era’s embrace of herbal, bittersweet profiles and flavors hinting at the northern frontiers, but beyond that, the specifics stay lost to time.
- Choose the Right Gin
Look for high-proof Gin that’s naturally sweet and chill it before mixing to deliver a silkier pour. - Preserve Your Yellow Chartreuse
Keep Yellow Chartreuse in a cool, dark place and consider decanting it into a smaller bottle to keep flavors fresh. - Never Shake, Always Stir
Stir the Alaska Martini over cracked ice in a Mixing Glass with a King Cube for a smooth, viscous texture. Strain into a chilled Coupe or Nick & Nora Glass for best results. - Play With the Ratios
Start with the classic 3:1 gin-to-Chartreuse ratio, adjusting mid-stir with a pipette for your preferred balance of floral, herbal, or bittersweet flavor. - Serve Under-Chilled
Prepare to chill your glass to make the cocktail stand out and bloom in the glass.
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Green Alaska
Try the Green Alaska by swapping in Green Mint Liqueur and a Maraschino for a vibrant, refreshing twist. It’s shaken with Ice Cubes and served in a chilled Champagne Flute for a fresh new take.
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Lemon Peel Twist
Express a wide Lemon Peel over the glass to release the citrus oils, then drop it in for a bright, aromatic garnish that plays up the drink’s herbal notes. -
Flamed Grapefruit Peel
Quickly torch a Grapefruit Peel to caramelize the oils, and twist it over your Alaska Martini drink for extra citrus flair and a hint of smoke. -
Secret Rinse
Swirl a splash of Absinthe or Maraschino Liqueur in your chilled glass, then discard, before pouring in the cocktail. This adds a subtle layer of aroma that elevates each sip.
Alaska Martini FAQ
The Alaska Martini stands out for its use of Gin, and Yellow Chartreuse, which add floral, and herbal notes, you won’t find in a classic Martini.
The Alaska Martini is always stirred, not shaken, to preserve its silky texture and integrate the herbal notes gently.
A wide Orange Peel twist is traditional for the Alaska Martini drink, as expressing the oils over the surface highlights its citrus and herbal aroma.
If you’re swapping in vodka, Absolut Vodka is a great choice for making a vodka-based Alaska Martini variation.
Yes, you can batch the Alaska Martini for groups. Stir a larger quantity in a chilled container and ladle into chilled glasses, restirring each serving for top quality.
