Top 10 Gins for the ultimate Martini

Here’s our Top 10 Gins for the ultimate Martini. Purchase by clicking on the links in the product’s name. Got any suggestions? Leave them in the comments below. 

There’s an old joke that if you’re stranded on a desert island, you should loudly announce, “I know how to make the best Martini”, and somebody will emerge from nowhere just to disagree with you.

Yes, it’s the cocktail immortalised by Bond, dissected by bartenders, and butchered by many a home mixologist: The Martini. 

For the faff, at its core, the Martini is a simple affair: gin*, vermouth, and a garnish. The magic lies in the gin. Choose wisely, and you’re sipping sophistication; choose poorly, and you’re downing disappointment.​

Whether you like it dry, dirty, or with a twist, the right gin is your ticket to cocktail nirvana.​ Top tip: if you like them really punchy, go for the navy-strength edition of your fave. 

Here’s our definitive list of the Top 10 Gins for the ultimate Martini. Because life’s too short for mediocre Martinis.

Top 10 Gins for the ultimate Martini

Ramsbury Single Estate Gin

From grain to glass, Ramsbury does it all on their Wiltshire estate. This gin is a masterclass in balance, with crisp apple notes and a hint of quince. In a Martini, it offers a refreshing twist that’s both modern and rooted in tradition.​

Tanqueray No. Ten Gin

Designed with the Martini in mind, Tanqueray No. Ten is a citrus-forward gin that doesn’t shy away from bold flavours. Distilled with whole fruits, it delivers a zesty punch that pairs beautifully with dry vermouth. A classic choice for a reason.

The Botanist Islay Dry Gin

Hailing from the whisky-rich isle of Islay, The Botanist is a gin that brings a touch of the wild to your glass. With 22 hand-foraged botanicals, it offers a complex, floral profile that sings in a Martini. Think of it as a walk through a Scottish herb garden, with juniper leading the way.​

Beefeater London Dry Gin

A stalwart of the gin world, Beefeater is as London as red buses and rainy afternoons. Its juniper-heavy profile and citrus undertones make it a reliable, affordable choice for a traditional Martini. No frills, just a damn good drink.​

Plymouth Gin

With a slightly sweeter and earthier profile than London Dry gins, Plymouth offers a smooth, rounded Martini experience. Read more here.

Martin Miller’s Gin

Distilled in England and blended with Icelandic spring water, Martin Miller’s is a gin of two worlds. Its clean, crisp profile with hints of citrus and cucumber makes for a refreshing Martini that’s hard to beat. Martin Miller’s Westbourne Strength Gin is great if you want more oomph.

Fords Gin

Crafted with input from bartenders, Fords Gin is designed for mixing. Its balanced botanical blend makes it a versatile choice, delivering a classic Martini with depth and character.

No.3 London Dry Gin

A gin that champions simplicity, No.3 offers a bold juniper profile with citrus and spice. It’s a refined choice for those who appreciate a traditional, crisp Martini.​

Boatyard Double Gin

An organic wheat-based gin that goes through a double contact distillation for extra botanical oomph. Its creamy texture and aromatic finesse shine in a Martini.

Fisher’s Gin

Fishers is inspired by the Suffolk shore and has a bracing, herbal, almost briny character that gives a Martini a refreshing, windswept twist. It’s like a sea breeze in a coupe glass.

BONUS BALL: Moonshot Gin (That Boutique-y Gin Company)

Yes, the botanicals actually went to space. Yes, there’s some lunar meteorite in there. I can’t explain it, but this is just a really great gin. Your Martini just went interstellar.

*Some people like vodka. I’m a Gin Martini man, though, so that’s what we’re focusing on today.