José de San Martin (February 25, 1778 – August 17, 1850) was an Argentine general and a visionary leader in the liberation of Argentina, Chile and Peru from the Spanish Empire. We’re celebrating his birthday today with a San Martin, a pre-Prohibition cocktail that was popular in South America.
The San Martin, which is a straightforward mix of gin, sweet vermouth, and yellow Chartreuse, is an ideal aperitif to sip while watching the sun set. Truth be told, we substituted maraschino for the yellow Chartreuse and didn’t miss any of the cocktails subtle flavors. You can also use curaçao or cherry brandy if you don’t have Chartreuse on hand.
Because the cocktail has a limited number of ingredients, gin is the star in a San Martin. Your choice of gin will significantly influence the flavor profile. We tried a juniper forward gin and a honey-infused gin. Both were equally enjoyable, though we ultimately mixed the two gins to create a cocktail perfect for our palates.
Ingredients 1 ½ oz gin 1 ½ oz sweet vermouth 1 tsp yellow Chartreuse (or maraschino, curaçao, or cherry brandy)
Combine the ingredients in a mixing glass. Add ice and stir until chilled. Strain into a coupe and garnish with a lemon twist.