Martini Royale
Martini Bianco vermouth and prosecco over ice with a squeeze of lime and a mint sprig. Martini & Rossi's 2010s aperitivo — sweet, floral, bubbly and about eleven per cent, and Italy's answer to the Aperol Spritz.
Built to the standard modern spec; not yet tested in our kitchen. How we test.
The recipe.
Scaling adjusts quantities only. Prepare shaken drinks in individual portions.
Let’s make a good drink.
Fill a large wine glass with ice.
Add the chilled Bianco vermouth.
Top with chilled prosecco and squeeze a lime wedge in.
Stir once gently and garnish with a lime wedge and a slapped mint sprig.
A thoughtful finish
- Squeeze the lime in; the vermouth is sweet and needs the acid.
- Everything cold and lots of ice.
- Martini Rosso in place of Bianco makes a Royale Rosso — darker and more bitter.
Common mistakes
- Skipping the lime.
- Sweet prosecco; use a brut or extra dry.
- Confusing it with a gin Martini.
A few good questions.
What does a Martini Royale taste like?
Sweet, floral white vermouth with prosecco's fizz and a lime edge — like a lighter, sweeter Aperol Spritz.
Is there gin in it?
No; it is a vermouth spritz. 'Martini' is the brand.
How strong is it?
About 11% — a little under a glass of wine.
Which vermouth?
Martini Bianco is the original; any bianco or blanc vermouth works.
Variations
- Aperol Spritz — Aperol, prosecco and soda.
- Vermouth Spritz — Sweet vermouth and soda.
- Hugo Spritz — Elderflower, prosecco, mint and soda.
- Bicicletta — Campari, white wine and soda.
Where it comes from
2012 · Turin, Italy · Martini & Rossi
Martini & Rossi launched the Martini Royale in 2012 as the brand’s answer to Aperol’s spritz: equal parts Martini Bianco — the sweet white vermouth with vanilla and alpine herbs — and Martini Prosecco over ice in a large wine glass, with a squeeze and wedge of lime and a sprig of mint. It has nothing to do with the gin Martini; it is a vermouth spritz in the Italian aperitivo tradition, and it took off across Europe through the 2010s as a lighter, sweeter alternative to the Aperol Spritz. The lime is essential: the Bianco is sweet, and without the acid the drink is cloying. Any bianco vermouth and dry prosecco make it; the brand’s are the originals.
Sources
- Martini & Rossi, Martini Royale launch, 2012 (producer)
- Difford's Guide, Martini Royale, 2013 (reference)
- Adam Ford, Vermouth, 2015 (book)
Strength. About 1.13 US standard drinks at an estimated 11.4% ABV, estimated from the ingredients and technique, not measured. What that means.
A little character in every sip.
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