Northumberland-based Hepple Spirits has launched an instant martini mix that “takes away the complication” of making the popular cocktail.
The company, which is producer of Hepple Wild Juniper Gin, has created Margo which holds the vermouth, botanicals and seasoning, and the consumer adds the base spirit.
The company said that each 250ml bottle mixes with 750ml of frozen gin or vodka to make ten 100ml martinis. The serve is one part chilled Margo to three parts frozen spirit, stirred briefly in a cold glass and garnished. No ice, shaking or straining is needed.
Bright Lemon is 11.1% ABV) and combines British dry vermouth with Amalfi lemon, lemon verbena and other botanicals, while Margo Dirty Olive at 9.1% ABV showcases British dry vermouth with seasoned olive brine and green olives.
Master distiller Chris Garden developed both expressions to give a balanced martini with the depth of a bar-made serve, so ‘Bright Lemon’ brings rounded citrus rather than sharp acidity and ‘Dirty Olive’ brings savoury depth rather than just brine.
Garden said a great martini “is all about balance”.
He explained: “Every ingredient has a part to play, and the smallest adjustment can completely change the character of the drink.
“With Margo, we wanted to capture that complexity in a balanced mix, building layers of flavour using exceptional ingredients, from fragrant citrus botanicals to rich, savoury olives. Our challenge was to translate that complexity into something beautifully simple.”
Miranda Dickson, brand and marketing director at Hepple Spirits, added: “We’ve always been a little obsessed with martinis at Hepple.
“There’s something magical about that first, impossibly cold sip, but making a really good martini at home is another story.
“Everyone should be able to enjoy an exceptional martini, whether they’re sitting in one of the world’s best cocktail bars or having friends over on a Friday night.
“We created Margo to take away the complication without losing any of the pleasure, allowing anyone to easily make a delicious martini at home, even if they’ve never made one before. Because the person making the drinks deserves to enjoy the party too.”
