Best Martini Recipe: The Atlas Martini is the Best You’ve Ever Had

Trying to find the best martini recipe is a fools errand.

Why?

Because everyone likes different things when it comes to a martini.

Some like it dirty, some like with a twist, some like gin, some like vodka, and some still consider drinks like the apple-tini, a martini.

Hint: they’re not.

But for all the martinis I’ve had in my life (which is a lot of them), there’s one that stands above the rest: The Atlas Martini from Atlas Bar in Singapore.

The world famous Atlas Bar in Singapore.

If you’ve been reading this site for awhile, you know I’m on a never-ending quest to visit the Top 100 bars in the world. I’m a little over halfway there on the 2017 list, and one of my all time favorites is Atlas.

It’s sprawling art-deco design is like no other bar I’ve been to. It has the largest gin collection in the world. And it has one hell of a martini.

Why the Atlas Martini is the World’s Best Martini

In the realm of “famous” martinis, there is also the martini at Connaught Bar in London – which is also fantastic.

It’s a bit more traditional than the Atlas version, in that it’s larger and stronger. When I think of a true martini with 3 olives and smack-you-in-the-face gin, the Connaught delivers.

However, unlike the Atlas recipe, it’s also difficult to recreate due to the “tinctures” that they add based on your preference.

The Mighty Atlas Martini. Well, it actually wasn’t that mighty by martini standards. More delicate…in the best way possible.

No, in my book, the Atlas Martini is as good as it gets.

It’s unique, but still very clearly a martini. There’s also one secret ingredient, that you would never expect that makes it a total game changer – and much more drinkable, even for the martini novice.

And my favorite part about it? You can make it at home.

Easily.

How to Make the Atlas Martini (aka the Best Martini Recipe EVER)

Ok, so by now hopefully you’re at least a little bit intrigued. What makes this martini so impressive, that I’d be bold enough to call it the world’s best martini?

Let me show you.

It starts out with any kind of London dry gin. At Atlas they use Ford’s gin, which I also highly recommend. It’s the perfect cocktail gin, without being crazy expensive either.

You combine 2oz of gin with .5oz of white vermouth in a mixing glass. The official recipe calls for Mancino, but I’ve used Dolin Blanc with excellent results (and it’s much less expensive).

Ok, pretty standard stuff so far, right? Nothing too crazy?

Well along with your spirits, you also add in 2 dashes of orange bitters, and 5 dashes (about half a teaspoon) of champagne vinegar.

Wait, what?

Yes, you heard me correctly: champagne vinegar.

And let me tell you my friends, it makes all the difference in the world.

It adds an unexpected acidity that both creates a unique flavor, and mellows out the gin, which can often overwhelm people who aren’t used to such a strong drink.

You stir until well-chilled, about 25 seconds in my experience, and then strain into a coupe glass.

Finally (and this part is very important) you take a lemon peel and express the oil over the drink and drop it in.

This part is absolutely essential. I’ve made it without the lemon, and it just doesn’t have the same effect. The citrus is the key part that brings it all together.

My wife who generally hates really spirit forward drinks tried sips of mine both in Singapore and at home, and each time her reply was “I don’t hate it as much as I usually do.” I count that as a big win.

Have You Ever Tried the Atlas Martini Recipe?

While I’m guessing most of you haven’t ventured all the way out to Singapore to try an Atlas martini in person (tell me if you have!), I’d also love to hear from you if you make this at home.

How did it go? What do you think? Do you agree that it is the best martini recipe out there? Drop a comment below and let me know.

And if you do decide to go out to Asia to visit Atlas, be sure to check out our thoughts on the best bars in Singapore.