How to Make the Perfect Jack Daniels Martini

Martinis seem to be all the rage these days with specialized martini bars and restaurants featuring drink menus dedicated to the many variety of martinis popping up all over the place. Martinis are a fun drink and seem to be linked with social gatherings. They come in many flavors, colors, and even sizes. Why the martini glass is easily one of the most widely recognized drink glasses in the world.

In my opinion however, there is one martini that is head and shoulders over the others. It is the absolute king of the martinis. What is this monarch of evening cocktails you ask? Why it is the none other than the Jack Daniels Martini. The name alone should be enough of an explanation of its supremacy. With Old No. 7 as its namesake you know this martini is definitely something special.

Martinis in general can be a somewhat complicated drink to make depending on the preference of the person ordering the drink. They can be shaken, stirred, dry, and garnished in any number of ways. Some are served with no ice while still others come served over crushed ice. There is such a variety of ingredients as well that it makes this drink somewhat time consuming to put together. The Jack Daniels Martini is no different in that to get it right, you must take the extra time to make sure this drink of drinks is perfect.

There are four different ingredients in the Jack Daniels Martini. This is more than some, but not quite as bad as others. There is also a simple garnish to be used to complete the drink once it has been properly mixed. You will also need four shot glasses or just one, but this will mean it will need to be cleaned after adding each ingredient. A cocktail shaker, martini glass though any glass will actually work, but the martini glass adds that sense of class and cubed as well as crushed ice will all be needed.

The first step in preparing this magnificent potable is to fill the cocktail shaker with cubed ice. I prefer to use metal shakers instead of those made of glass. With the addition of ice, the metal shakers get very cold and this in turn helps chill the drink. With that in mind, I suggest letting the ice filled shaker sit for about a minute so it does become good and cold.

Once the shaker is set, you are now ready to begin adding the different types of alcohols. The first to be added will be Tennessee's finest whiskey, Jack Daniels. The Jack Daniels Martini requires four parts or shots of Old No. 7. A standard 1.5 ounce shot glass should be used for this and for all other ingredients you will use.

The next step is adding two shots of vodka. This is where some personal preference comes in. There are many different types of vodka on the market, and I am sure those who enjoy this particular type of alcohol each have their own favorites. I am no different as I believe Ketel One brand vodka is the best you can buy. With that in mind, to make the perfect Jack Daniels Martini, I believe Ketel One is the vodka that should be used.

From there, one shot of blackberry brandy needs to be added. Once again there are many different brands than range from the cheap to the fairly expensive. For my tastes, I prefer either Dekuyper Blackberry Brandy or Hiram Walker brand blackberry brandy. They both retail for around $13-$14 a bottle. There taste is so similar it hard to tell them apart and I believe you could not go wrong with either brand. If forced to make a choice however, I would have to go with Dekuyper.

The last ingredient to be added is three shots of your favorite brand of cola. I know there is a raging debate between which is better Coke or Pepsi. Again this comes down to personal preference. For myself, I do happen to prefer the taste of Pepsi over that of Coke and so I do recommend the use of Pepsi when making the Jack Daniels Martini.

Once all four ingredients have been poured into the cocktail shaker, they must be mixed vigorously. By this time the shaker should be good and cold as well. I feel the ingredients should be shaken for at least a full minute and probably closer to a minute and a half is even preferable. It is important to get all of the four different ingredients to intermingle to make the sure the taste is perfect.

With the Jack Daniels Martini now mixed, you take the martini glass and fill it with crushed ice. It is also acceptable to pour the drink into the glass with no ice, but I feel for the Jack Daniels Martini to be absolutely perfect the addition of crushed ice is essential. The drink should be strained through the shaker onto the crushed ice for the best taste.

The last step is to add the garnish which will be the topper to a most pleasant drinking experience. Once the drink has been poured into the glass, a maraschino cherry as the garnish will be the final touch. I like to set the cherry right in the center of the drink so as the ice settles it will slowly sink to the bottom of the glass. This provides a nice treat once you have consumed your Jack Daniels Martini as well.

And there you have it, for my money its the best martini available, the Jack Daniels Martini perhaps the perfect cocktail.