This drink was featured as a Cocktail of the Month.

　　The original Martini, which is made with sweet Italian vermouth, sugar syrup, and orange bitters, lost out to the type made with just dry French vermouth, but it is still an excellent drink. This recipe, adapted from the estimable The Old Waldorf Astoria Bar Book (1935) by Albert Stevens Crockett, calls for Old Tom Gin, which is sweeter than dry gin. Since Old Tom isn't easy to find nowadays, we've substituted a combination of dry gin and simple syrup.

Ingredients

　　1 1/2 ounces London dry gin

　　1 1/2 ounces sweet vermouth, preferably Noilly Prat

　　1 dash orange bitters

　　1 teaspoon simple syrup

　　Small piece lemon peel

　　Green olive for garnish

　　In mixing glass or cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine gin, vermouth, bitters, and simple syrup. Stir well, about 20 seconds, then strain into cocktail coupe or martini glass. Twist lemon peel directly over drink to release essential oils, garnish with green olive, and serve.