Peter Hetzel’s Fabulous Martini American

updated Sunday December 16, 2018
I have been lucky enough to know Peter Hetzel since early childhood and now in his 90s his martini remains benchmark for me. As a young doctor, working on the development of the heart-lung bypass machine, Peter and his young wife, the late Margaret Hetzel, Adelaide’s most elegant woman and accomplished hostess and cook, spent time in America. Their eldest child Diana was born there. Margaret admitted to being ‘taken on’ by the wives of Peter’s colleagues and pursued the role of hostess ‘Mad Men’ style with enthusiasm. To the great pleasure of friends and family, Margaret became an accomplished cook and her legacy lives on as well all make her wonderful recipes. Peter and Margaret’s tantalizing stories of parties have entertained us for many years. We have a rule; anyone who wants to add ice to a martini should be escorted off of the premises!!! First if you don’t have room for two bottles in your freezer DO NOT BEGIN!
Ann Oliver food editor and publisher 

required ingredients
1 x Nouilly Prat dry vermouth
1 x 750ml Cadenhead Old Raj gin
1 x unwaxed lemon….4 if you are doing a twist instead of an olive

12 large brined green olives, or 24 small brined olives [with stones]

essential equipment
Kitchen scales…yes really!
Stainless steel funnel
Glass or stainless steel jug for mixing
freezer
toothpicks or gorgeous small glass cocktail sticks
tool for twists if you are doing a twist instead of an olive[i]
very clean empty 750l gin bottle

preparation time
15 minutes must be made at least 24 hours in advance

[i]some lemon zesters have this tool, but to be perfect it needs a little modification by bending it into more of a V-shape…the best I have found is the OXO brand citrus zester

Makes 12 martinis [approximately 63ml each]
 Better small and more often they are best icy cold!

Sit your jug on the scale and tare it. Measure 125g Nouilly Prat dry vermouth into the jug.Tare again and add 625g Cadenhead Old Raj gin. Stir well and using the funnel pour it into the empty bottle.

Using a peeler, prepare two strips of peel and remove all of the pith. Push them into the bottle and under the mix. Seal and put into the freezer for at least 24 hours.

Chilling glasses is a really good idea…served with green olives or a twist!

Remember Dorothy Parkers famous quote
“I like to have a martini,
Two at the very most.
After three I’m under the table,
after four I’m under my host.”

and I also love this quote

“A perfect martini should be made by filling a glass with gin, then waving it in the general direction of Italy”….Noël Coward

Peter advises drying the olives in paper towel to ensure that every drop of brine has been removed.