Marmalade Martini cocktail recipe

Also known as the Breakfast Martini, if this cocktail has you thinking of eggs and bacon, you’re not far off – there’s toast as a garnish and it even has marmalade on it. Side-stepping the brunch bubbles (Mimosa and Peach Bellini) and other staples (like the Bloody Mary), this drink prefers preserves, a toaster and a cocktail shaker (a sentence we never thought we’d say).

Given the presence of marmalade, it’s no surprise this cocktail is a model British citizen – albeit invented by an Italian bartender. In 1996, Salvatore Calabrese’s wife Sue inspired the drink after she insisted he have more for his breakfast than just a quick espresso. Eating his way through a plate of marmalade on toast, Salvatore’s mind went straight back to drinks (he is a world-renowned bartender, after all). Taking the marmalade jar with him to work – The Library Bar in London – he shook out the rest of the recipe. Literally.

In doing so, the Maestro (as Salvatore’s fans affectionately know him), ever influential, inspired a new league of cocktails using preserves such as jams. Here, the tangy spread delivers a balancing sweetness (to counter the sour lemon-juice edge) with a subtle bitter fringe. For citrus, gin is a natural companion, as is the extra zesty emphasis from the triple sec. Technically, it’s more of a riff on the White Lady than anything, but it’s the glass that makes it so Martini-like and the wedge of marmalade toast that makes it so breakfast.

As marmalade is the big drawcard here, it goes (almost) without saying: aim for a good quality spread. Bonus points for ‘fine cut’ or with ‘no peel’ for an extra smooth finish – this avoids any excess bitterness. We prefer French-made Bonne Maman marmalade.

Given this spread is a blend of citrus fruits, it can have a fair amount of bite. If you find it too bitter for your liking, play around with your favourite jams or try other citrusy preserves like lemon or orange curd.

If you’re not balancing a toasty triangle on the tip of your glass (we know we are), try a twirl of citrus rind, perhaps grapefruit, orange or lemon – any would work. And you can keep the Martini riffs going with other variations such as the Espresso Martini, Lychee Martini, Pornstart Martini  and Appletini.