Even though I love a good, dirty martini, the resulting olive-juice-breath can be a deterrent, especially in intimate settings. One of my favorite alternatives is this cranberry gin martini. Featuring the fragrant botanicals of gin alongside tangy cranberry juice, you get a stunning cocktail worthy of enjoying at a slow pace. Since the gin flavors are so exposed, I always reach towards a higher shelf for something like Tanqueray No. 10 or Bombay Sapphire. You’ll get a slightly different flavor from the orange vs. Angostura bitters, so try both to see which you prefer.

Cranberry Gin Martini

• 2 1/2 oz top shelf gin, such as Bombay Sapphire
• 1/2 oz cranberry juice
• orange twist
• dash orange or Angostura bitters

Pour the gin over ice, into a cocktail shaker. Add cranberry juice and bitters. Shake for a few seconds until well blended. Strain into a frozen cocktail glass, and top with an orange twist.