At first glance, this sure looks like a classic martini; gin, dry vermouth and the ubiquitous orange bitters. However, there is one major difference. This one calls for an orange twist, instead of a lemon twist. It is this that makes it perhaps more approachable, along with a slightly higher ratio of vermouth to gin. I used an extra long twist (which I actually twisted into a knot) to get a huge spray of orange oil on the surface. Just dandy!
Created by Jim Meehan, he has this to say about its inspiration. “I created this Astoria cocktail variation at Gramercy Tavern after acquiring a copy of Albert Stevens Crockett’s Old Waldorf Bar Days.”
Astoria Bianco
2 oz gin
0.75 oz dry vermouth
2 dashes orange bitters
Garnish: orange twist
Stir with ice and strain into chilled cocktail glass. Add orange twist.
Good Spirits News 