The Perfect Martini
CASTLE FREKE GIN – THE FIRST TRUE SIPPING GIN
Castle Freke Gin has been developed specifically for the Very Dry Martini connoisseur, so it is best enjoyed without diluting or mixing it. Here we provide some hints on how to best enjoy the full palate experience of this exquisite spirit.
The Art of Restraint
In its purest form, the Very Dry Martini is an exercise in restraint. Vermouth – if used at all – should whisper in the background, never overwhelm. With a gin of lesser calibre, a lot of vermouth might mask its shortcomings; but Castle Freke Gin possesses the smoothness, complexity and harmonious balance to stand proudly on its own. Serve it chilled in glasses fresh from the freezer, garnished only with pre-washed lemon and tangerine or yuzu peel (never orange), delicately zested to capture the aromatic oils without the bitterness of the pith, and a thin slice of cucumber.
THE PERFECT MARTINI
Stephen’s signature dry martini, the ‘In and Out’, elevates this ritual to an art. Begin with a pre-chilled cocktail shaker, and fill it two-thirds with ice taken directly from the freezer, frost-cold, so it will hold the vermouth without diluting the gin. Add a mere splash of Martini & Rossi Dry Vermouth and two drops of Angostura Bitters and shake for about 5 seconds, then pour away any remaining liquid. Onto this now subtly flavoured ice pour pre-chilled Castle Freke Gin, shake briskly for eight to ten seconds, then pour into pre-chilled martini glasses. Garnish as above, then lift the glass, salute your companions and take the first taste. Here is a dry martini for the mindful few who sip with intent.
THE DUKE’S MARTINI BAR APPROACH
If sufficiently frozen ice is an issue, it can be dispensed with by taking the martini glasses straight from the freezer, spraying or splashing the dash of vermouth and 1-2 drops of Angostura Bitters into the glass, swirl it around briefly then flick away the excess liquid. Castle Freke Gin can then be poured into the glass, garnished as above, and enjoyed. This approach works better in bar or restaurant settings where truly frozen ice is not available in quantity, since even slightly melted ice will produce a greatly diluted flavour experience.
“A WONDERFUL PUNCTUATION BETWEEN THE WORKING DAY AND TIME ENJOYED WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS.”
“A WONDERFUL PUNCTUATION BETWEEN THE WORKING DAY AND TIME ENJOYED WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS.”
Stephen Evans-Freke
DISCOVER OUR GIN
Castle Freke Gin is a spirit of remarkable smoothness and layered complexity, crafted not for mixing but for savoring chilled, either straight or in a very dry martini. It is distilled in sophisticated small-batch copper stills through a proprietary 50-step process, using organic wheat alcohol and many rare and wild-gathered botanicals sourced from across the world including Tuscan and Macedonian junipers, Nile Delta coriander, myrrh from Africa, and myrtle from the Castle demesne, together with rare citrus fruits from the celebrated Pyrenean orchards of Agrumes Schaller. This is followed by long maceration prior to bottling.
