Bottoms Up! What happened when comedian, TV presenter, winner of Celebrity Traitors and all-round national treasure Alan Carr popped by the distillery for a Dirty Martini masterclass?
We were delighted to welcome comedians Alan Carr and Lee Peart to 58 and CO for a special episode of Bottoms Up, where Cocktail Carmen — aka Carmen O’Neal — took the boys through the art of tasting spirits and making a Dirty Martini to suit their taste.
There was gin. There was vodka. There was vermouth. There was plenty of olive juice.
And, naturally, there were plenty of laughs and innuendo!
Watch Cocktail Carmen’s Martini Masterclass
In this episode of Bottoms Up, Carmen gets Alan and Lee up at the bar to explore what makes a great Martini.
Rather than simply giving them a recipe and telling them what a Martini should taste like, Carmen takes them through the different choices that make the drink their own — from the spirit and vermouth ratio to dilution and, of course, just how dirty they want to go.
Watch or listen to the full episode of Bottoms Up here.
The full episode is also available on YouTube.
The welcome cocktail served on Bottoms Up
We welcomed Alan and Lee to 58 and CO with our signature spritz cocktail - the Grapefruit Gin Spritz.
Made with 58 and CO House Pour Gin, homemade grapefruit cordial, lemon, agave syrup and soda, it’s a deliciously refreshing ‘adult juice’
View the recipe for the Grapefruit Gin Spritz cocktail here.
The Martini served on Bottoms Up: The 5 D’s of a Dirty Martini
So, how do you make the perfect Martini?
Carmen's philosophy is simple: make the drink you actually want to drink, and it comes down to five simple decisions:
Drink. Dry. Dirty. Dilute. Dress.
1. DRINK
Choose your preferred spirit — gin or vodka.
Vodka is more neutral, allowing the other ingredients to take centre stage, whereas gin brings more character from its botanicals.
For the Bottoms Up masterclass, Carmen introduced Alan and Lee to 58 and CO House Pour Gin and House Pour Vodka, showing them how the choice of spirit changes the character of the Martini.
Discover 58 and CO House Pour Gin here.
Discover 58 and CO House Pour Vodka here.
2. DRY
How much vermouth do you want?
The more vermouth you add, the less spirit you have and therefore the lower the alcohol content.
There is no single correct ratio. The right amount of vermouth is the amount you enjoy.
It’s important to remember that there are many different styles of vermouth. Dry vermouth has the lowest amount of sugar and is the vermouth typically used in a martini. The boys also tasted a semi-sweet vermouth - 58 and CO Bianco Vermouth - and a sweet vermouth.
Discover 58 and CO Bianco Vermouth here.
3. DIRTY
Now it's time to add that savoury stank.
Olive juice is the traditional choice, but the possibilities don't stop there.
Try pickle juice, blue cheese, chillies, capers — or experiment with your own favourite savoury flavours. The boys tried Perello Olives and baby balsamic pickled onions
The rule is simple:
The more you add, the dirtier it will be.
4. DILUTE
Time to mix it up — and we're stirring, not shaking.
Fill a mixing glass with ice and stir until ice cold, then strain and serve in a frozen Martini glass.
Dilution is an essential part of the cocktail. As the ice melts during stirring, it softens the spirit, brings the ingredients together and creates the texture and balance you're looking for.
5. DRESS
A garnish isn't just there to look pretty.
As well as being a little snack, the oils and scent of your chosen accompaniment can enhance the overall experience.
An olive, lemon twist, chilli, blue cheese or another savoury garnish can all take your Martini in a different direction.
Think of the garnish as the finishing touch — and part of the flavour of the drink.
Drink. Dry. Dirty. Dilute. Dress.
Five decisions. Endless Dirty Martini possibilities.
Read Carmen's full guide to the 5 D’s of a Dirty Martini here.
Finding your perfect Martini cocktail
The beauty of a Martini is that small changes can make a surprisingly big difference.
If you're new to Martinis, start with a classic combination and then experiment.
Want more botanical character? Try gin.
Prefer something clean and neutral? Try vodka.
Want a softer, more aromatic drink? Add more vermouth.
Prefer your Martini spirit-forward? Reduce the vermouth.
Want more savoury flavour? Get dirty.
And don't forget the ice. A Martini should be properly chilled, with the right amount of dilution to bring everything together.
Finally, think about the garnish.
Your perfect Martini might be an ice-cold gin Martini with a lemon twist. It might be a vodka Martini with plenty of olive brine and a blue cheese-stuffed olive.
There is no Martini police.
Make it your way.
Explore the 58 and CO Martini Collection
If the Bottoms Up masterclass has inspired you to experiment with Martinis at home, our Martini Collection is the perfect place to start.
From the spirit in the glass to the cocktail you're building around it, 58 and CO spirits are made to be enjoyed — whether you're mixing a classic, experimenting with a new serve or simply discovering what you like.
Meet Cocktail Carmen
Carmen O'Neal, better known as Cocktail Carmen, has built her career around making spirits and cocktails more approachable, enjoyable and fun.
Her passion for drinks goes well beyond recipes. It's about understanding flavour, tasting properly and giving people the confidence to make drinks that suit them.
It's that philosophy that made her the perfect person to put Alan and Lee through their Martini paces.
Follow Carmen on Instagram here.
The story of 58 and CO
The masterclass took place at our home - 58 and CO Distillery in east London.
We're an independent distillery with a passion for creating quality spirits and championing the craft, creativity and culture of cocktails.
Discover the story of 58 and CO here.
Visit 58 and CO distillery for one of our events or Gin School experiences.
Watch Bottoms Up with Alan Carr and Lee Peart
Want to see how Alan and Lee got on?
Check out the full episode of Bottoms Up with Alan Carr and Lee Peart, as Carmen teaches them how to taste spirits and make a Dirty Martini.
Watch or listen wherever you get your podcasts.
The full episode is also available on YouTube.
And if you're inspired to make one yourself, remember the five D’s:
Drink. Dry. Dirty. Dilute. Dress.
Then make it exactly how you like it.
Bottoms Up!
