Eley Williams’ new novel
The Liars Dictionarytransports readers to and from Victorian-era and modern-day London as it follows erudite protagonist a lexicographer named Peter Winceworth and present-day earnest dictionary intern Mallory on a whimsical adventure with language. In an ode to the book’s historical setting, this month we present a riff on the Martinez, a 19th-century cocktail considered to be a direct precursor to the martini.
Named after one of Winceworth’s delightful linguistic inventions, this version of the classic drink uses London dry gin and an even split of sweet and dry vermouth (also known as making a cocktail “perfect”) to give the usually sweet cocktail a sophisticated bite.