Love them or hate them, you can’t deny the sheer class of a well made cocktail. For us, the Martini and the Margarita are staple classics - simple, elegant and hotly contested favourites among gentlemen everywhere. 

But which comes out on top? It’s a question that’s been debated by casual drinkers and connoisseurs alike. Today, we’re here to argue both sides and help you decide what to go for next time you order - the classic taste of Italy or the fresh flavour of Mexico.

Without further ado, then - we’re here for a showdown. Which will come out on top - the Martini, or the Margarita?

The Martini

Was the first Martini mixed in Italy, named after the Martini brand of Vermouth - or in the Occidental Hotel in San Francisco, as people board the ferry to Martinez? We wish we knew for sure!

One thing we do know though is that you can’t talk about classic cocktails without mentioning a Martini. The timeless blend of gin and dry vermouth, stirred with ice and served in a chilled Martini glass is as synonymous with the roaring twenties as it is with a certain British intelligence officer.

Ingredients

They say that simplicity is the key, and the Martini is gloriously simple. Our favourite variation is the Dry Martini, with five parts (or 75ml) London Dry Gin to one part (or 15ml) Vermouth. Garnish with an olive if you wish, but for us it’s a slice of fresh, citrusy lemon peel. 

Although Bond will famously tell you that he takes his shaken, not stirred, cocktail bartenders generally have to disagree. Shaking your Martini with ice may cool it more quickly, but can also ever so slightly water it down significantly. A patient stir is miles better - and make sure your glass is as chilled as possible beforehand!

Variations

Like many great cocktails, the original Martini has been riffed on by bartenders the world over. In the early 1900’s, a classic Martini would contain Gin and Vermouth in equal measure - better known today as a 50/50 Martini.

As the century went on, the Martini became more dry, with the ratio changing to favour more gin. The driest Martini’s contain only a lick of vermouth, with the classic line being that a mere glance at the vermouth bottle from the bartender is more than enough.

Nowadays, one has an abundance of variations to choose from. Closer to home are the vodka martini (which simply swaps out gin for vodka) and the dirty martini (containing a salty dash of olive brine).

But why stop there? The Pornstar Martini and Espresso Martini are favourites in their own right, each with their own mythical origin stories - and there are many more to choose from!

Read our ultimate guide to the Martini here for more recipes and variations!

The Margarita

And now for something completely different. Hola, y bienvenido a Mexico! 

The world’s most popular tequila-based cocktail appeared on the scene sometime in the 1930s or 40s. Depending on who you believe, it may have been a birthday present for a girl named Margarita who liked her drinks on the salty side, or an actress named Marjorie King who drank no spirit except tequila.

Boozy, salty and fruity, the Margarita has earned its place on hot summer days across the world. There’s no denying that it’s one classic cocktail!

Ingredients

Like our friend the Martini, creating a fantastic Margarita is simply a case of taking the finest ingredients you can afford and then proceeding to not f*** them up! That being said, the recipe of tequila, cointreau and lime juice in our Mexican contender is somewhat more standardised than its Italian-inspired counterpart. 

The official recipe from the International Bartenders Association advocates a 10:4:3 ratio of tequila : cointreau : lime juice, but like any cocktail you should experiment to find your preference.

Remember to prepare your margarita glass, first by chilling it with crushed ice, then by quickly wetting the rim in cold water. Finally, thinly spread some quality flaked sea salt on a flat plate and rub the rim of your upturned margarita glass in the salt before pouring your drink. Garnish with a slice of fresh lime.

Variations

For us, nothing beats a classic Margarita - but that doesn’t mean you can’t mix it up a little! If you’re lucky enough to have scorching hot weather, frozen Margaritas are a fantastic twist - blended with crushed ice to form a thick, boozy slushie.

For a fruity thirst quencher, you can’t do much better than a watermelon Margarita, swapping out cointreau for good quality watermelon juice - or better yet, blitzed watermelon chunks.

And finally - for a spin that’s just as good next to the fireside in winter as it is with the sand between your toes, the chilli Margarita surely deserves a mention. Simply buy a bottle of chilli Tequila and swap out your sea salt for Tajin (a Mexican chilli and lime seasoning) for a Margarita that truly packs a punch! 

What's The Difference Between a Martini and a Margarita?

And more importantly - which is better?

Both of these cocktails are steeped in history and bursting with class. If you haven’t already, you absolutely must try one - or two. Or ten!

Deciding which of these cocktails comes out on top may seem like an impossible choice - but In fact, the answer is clear. 

After a day of suit-shopping on Savile Row, perhaps with a wander through Soho before heading towards the theatre - the Phoenix, perhaps? - there’s only one cocktail that makes sense. 

The Martini.

It’s a timeless classic - an objective display of appreciation. A poem in a glass.

However…

When you’re sitting near the sea, somewhere near St Tropez - Pampelonne Beach, perhaps - with the sun in the sky and the pure white sand between your toes, the waiter will inevitably ask you at some point whether you’d like another. And it’s five o clock somewhere. 

It has to be a Margarita.

Because let’s face it, this isn’t an impossible choice. There is only one choice. The answer has to be either - or, ideally - both.