Ask A DFW Bartender: Best Martini Recipe

Shaken, stirred, dry or dirty, there's no denying that the martini is one of the most famous cocktails around. Everyone from Winston Churchill to Cary Grant favored the classic spirit. And no one can forget that James Bond preferred his martinis "shaken, not stirred." Mike Hernandez, bar chef at The Woolworth, obviously agrees with Bond, in as far as that his favorite martinis are all shaken and not stirred. However, rather than sticking to the traditional mix of gin or vodka and dry vermouth, Hernandez amps up the flavor profiles on the following recipes to fit in with today's sophisticated sippers.

Before he was shaking up the drinks program at The Woolworth, a chic eatery and cocktail den tucked atop the second floor of its namesake Elm Street building, Mike Hernandez was fine-tuning his cocktail-making craft at the Porch and The Joule. Now as bar manager and self-professed spirit guide, Hernandez steers a well-balanced list of classic libations with a modern twist. Hernandez credits his cocktail-making inspiration to his passion for cooking, which helps him get an idea of what taste profiles he's wanting and what flavors go together well. He says that not every creation is a success, but that's what makes it fun. Hernandez has created these martini recipes based on the taste preferences of his guests at The Woolworth.

Ingredients

• 3/4 oz. fresh lime juice
• 3/4 oz. agave nectar
• 1.5 oz. blanco tequila (Hernandez likes Maestro Dobel for the price)
• 0.5 oz. mezcal (Del Maguey Vida Mezcal)
• Fresh muddled jalapeño slices (2-3) for garnish

Combine the ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake for 10 seconds. Strain the ingredients into a martini glass and garnish with jalapeño slices.

Ingredients:

• 3/4 oz. lime juice
• 3/4 oz. St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur
• 2 oz. Gin (Tanqueray complements the basil and cucumber perfectly)
• 4 muddled basil leaves
• 2 cucumber slices for garnish

Combine the first four ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake for 10 seconds. Strain the ingredients into a martini glass and garnish with cucumber slices.

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Ingredients:

• 1 oz. vodka
• 1.5 oz. Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur
• .5 oz. chocolate syrup (Ghiradelli dark chocolate is best)
• Cocoa nibs for garnish

Combine the ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake until blended. Strain the ingredients into a martini glass and sprinkle the cocoa nibs on top.

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