This cocktail was the precursor to the martini. It originated in the 1790's in America and was thought to have been made with old Tom gin, which is a sweeter version of modern day gins and a sweet vermouth. As tastes changed through the ages, its drier counterpart began to court popularity and the dry martini was born. This recipe is a twist (pardon the pun) on the original and uses corenwyn which is a distilled Dutch malt wine spirit flavoured with juniper berries and matured in oak casks. It's based on a cocktail I had in one of my favourite bars in Amsterdam, The Tailor.