The boy and his poison: The Martinez

There are times when you need a guaranteed route out of the doldrums, maybe even with a touch of glamour. Whether you're stuck in the office when the rest of the world is out in the sunshine or the list of household chores has reached the sort of critical mass where new life forms are emerging from your flat‚ being able to conjure up a bit of escapism in a glass can be a life-saving skill.

Today's drink is just that sort of shortcut. The grandaddy of the martini, this little glass of magic is smokey in colour, sweet and moreish to taste and can elevate even the most banal situation into a eminently more swanky affair. So whatever you're up to, chuck all the ingredients in a shaker, grab an elegant glass and have yourself a cocktail soiree for one.

You'll need:

• 50ml gin (originally Old Tom so a sweeter gin like Beefeater would be great) 
• 50ml sweet vermouth
• 12ml (2 tsp) maraschino liqueur
• A few dashes of orange bitters (Angostura will give it an equally nice hit of flavour)
• Small piece of orange peel to garnish

Make it:

• Add everything to an ice filled shaker
• Shake until ice cold
• Strain into a coupe or martini glass, squeeze the orange peel over the top and allow it to rest in the drink