Smoky Martini

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 04/29/21
Tested by
Sean Michael Johnson
Photo of Sean Michael Johnson
Tested by Sean Michael Johnson
Sean is an award-winning bartender with over 15 years of experience in the industry. He is the head bartender at the two-Michelin-star restaurant, Gabriel Kreuther, crafting cocktail menus that have caught international attention. To date, he has made over 1 million cocktails, and counting.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Smoky Martini

The Spruce / Mateja Kobescak

Prep: 3 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 3 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cocktail

The smoky martini is a very easy variation of the martini. There is no vermouth; instead, this cocktail uses a dash of scotch to back up the gin. It's an interesting combination and a fantastic way to enjoy your favorite whisky and gin in the same glass. Serve it after dinner or when you're relaxing with a couple of friends and want to show off the versatility of a new bottle of scotch.

With such a high concentration of gin (and little else), this cocktail is definitely not the place to be frugal. You're going to get the best smoky martini with a premium brand of gin, so be sure to grab the good stuff. Also, you'll find that a full-flavored gin holds up to the smokier aspects of Scotch whisky; the smokier the better in this drink.

"Combining fine gin and smoky scotch is not an inexpensive endeavor. This recipe does not rely on skill as much as it depends on the quality of the ingredients. Choose a well-rounded and full- bodied gin to start. The scotch can be tailored to your specific contentment. The two will make a superlative experience." —Sean Johnson

Smoky Martini Tester Image
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Smoky Martini ingredients

    The Spruce / Mateja Kobescak

  2. Pour the gin and scotch into a mixing glass filled with ice.

    Pour the gin and scotch into a mixing glass filled with ice

    The Spruce / Mateja Kobescak

  3. Stir well.

    stir cocktail in a pitcher

    The Spruce / Mateja Kobescak

  4. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

    Strain cocktail into a chilled cocktail glass

    The Spruce / Mateja Kobescak

  5. Garnish with a lemon twist. Serve and enjoy,

    Smoky Martini garnished with a lemon twist

    The Spruce / Mateja Kobescak

Tips

  • Before you drop the lemon twist into the glass, remember to twist it over the drink to release its essence—it's the perfect finishing touch.
  • Be sure to chill your glass because it will improve this cocktail significantly. If you forget to do it ahead of time, simply put a few cubes in the glass while you mix the drink, then dump them before straining.

Recipe Variations

  • Accent this martini with a dash or two of bitters. Aromatic bitters would be excellent, though barrel-aged bitters are a perfect choice too.
  • Add a little more scotch if you like. Anything up to 1/2 ounce can work with certain gin-whisky combinations, and you will likely want to make slight adjustments as you change brands or styles.
  • While blended scotch will be amazing in this martini, don't be afraid to pour a nice single malt scotch. The various regions of Scotland produce distinct styles of single malts, so there's a lot of flavor possibilities, even with just two ingredients. Plus, at just a dash, it won't cost much to pour from high-end bottles that you may not mix with normally.
  • Take a hint from the Irish martini and rinse the glass with scotch then bring back the vermouth.

How Strong Is a Smoky Martini?

Anytime you see a cocktail that's made entirely of liquor (especially full-proof liquor), you should not be surprised that it's a strong drink. The smoky martini will not disappoint! When made with two 40-proof spirits, it stirs up to a hefty 33 percent ABV (66 proof). That's just slightly lighter than a straight shot of either gin or whisky and one of the strongest martinis you can make.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
165 Calories
0g Fat
1g Carbs
0g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 165
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 1mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 1g 0%
Dietary Fiber 1g 2%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 8mg 39%
Calcium 8mg 1%
Iron 0mg 0%
Potassium 11mg 0%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)