Ben’s Martini Recipe

Ben’s Martini is a classic-style, dry Martini made with Monkey 47 Gin, Noilly Prat Original Dry vermouth, and a lemon twist.

Created for the opening menu at Hollywood hotspot, The Benjamin Hollywood, and named after co-owner Ben Shenassafar, the mogul behind the streetwear brand, The Hundreds, this Martini variation is intentionally crafted for the old-school-meets-new environment. 

“My Martini is the essence of The Benjamin Hollywood,” says Shenassafar. “A classic cocktail served in a classic environment. We use Monkey 47 because it’s my favorite gin — it’s got complexity and richness. We finish with lemon oil to add that final bright lift.” 

Every Ben’s Martini comes with a snack of house-made potato chips. That was also Shenassafar’s call.

“The chips on the side? That’s personal,” he says. “When I was younger and studying in Spain, every beer came with a little bag of chips. It made every drink feel like a moment. I wanted to bring that same simple joy here. Because really, who doesn’t want a salty, homemade snack with a great cocktail?”

Why Ben’s Martini works

The Martini, as we know it, utilizing dry gin and dry vermouth, was established in the late 1800s. The trend of pulling back on the vermouth in favor of a heavier gin pour developed throughout the 20th century, starting in the post-Prohibition era and peaking in the mid-century with cultural icons like James Bond and Winston Churchill, who famously favored a vermouth-less Martini. “I would like to observe the vermouth from across the room while I drink my Martini,” Churchill once remarked when asked about his favored cocktail build.

In recent years, the pendulum has swung away from the extremely dry version, but the Dry Martini remains popular, with varying ratios. Common formulas for a Dry Martini typically range from 5:1 or 3:1 gin-to-vermouth ratios, often with a dash of bitters. 

Ben’s Martini falls on the drier side, proportionally, but the choice of gin and vermouth makes this an especially aromatic variation. Monkey 47 Gin, crafted from a blend of 47 distinct botanicals, is known for its rich complexity and distinctive flavor profile, characterized by a long, citrusy finish. 

Noily Prat dry vermouth is also an unusual bottling, known for its unique aging process and heavily oxidized flavor profile. The vermouth has an almost nutty, sherry quality, and in small amounts, complements the complex aromatics of the Monkey 47 gin. 

Lemon oil expressed from the lemon twist garnish pulls everything together in this classic-style Martini. Make like Ben does, and be sure to pair this with quality potato chips.