Martini Riserva Speciale Bitter
Martini's red bitter, the house alternative to Campari. Aromatic, spicy and distinctly bitter, with a secret blend of herbs and spices. The missing third part of a Negroni made entirely with Martini.
The bitter from the Martini house
Martini Riserva Speciale Bitter, also known simply as Martini Bitter, is the red Italian bitter from Martini & Rossi of Pessione near Turin. It is aromatic, spicy and bitter, with a bright red color, and is made with a secret blend of herbs and spices. It is not a vermouth but a bitter: fuller-bodied and, at 28.5% alcohol, nearly twice as strong as Martini Rosso.
At the bar, it plays the same role as Campari. Together with gin and Riserva Speciale Rubino, it makes a Negroni in which the vermouth and bitter come from the same house, and with Rosso and soda, an Americano. Neat, it is for lovers of truly bitter flavors; with tonic or soda, it becomes a light, thirst-quenching aperitif.
In brief
Aromatic, spicy and truly bitter
Herbs and peel
An aromatic, spicy nose with notes of spices. Immediately recognizable as an Italian bitter.
Firmly bitter
A firm bitterness of herbs and spices, with a soft undertone. At 28.5%, it has more body than a vermouth.
Long and dry
A long, dry, bitter finish that prepares your mouth for the meal. That is what an aperitif is for.
Flavor profile of Martini Bitter neat over ice. With soda or tonic, the bitterness remains, but it becomes much lighter.
From Americano to bitter soda
Martini Bitter is a mixer for aperitivo. Three serves, from light to bold.
Americano
30 ml Martini Bitter and 30 ml Martini Rosso in a highball glass full of ice, topped with 90 ml soda and half an orange slice. Light, bitter and the forerunner of the Negroni.
Go to the recipe →Bitter tonic
40 ml Martini Bitter with 120 ml tonic in a tall glass full of ice, with an orange slice. The tonic makes it refreshing and brings out the herbs.
Highball glasses →Negroni
30 ml gin, 30 ml Martini Riserva Speciale Rubino and 30 ml Martini Bitter, stirred with ice and served in a tumbler over one large ice cube, with orange peel.
Go to the recipe →Cocktails that call for Martini Bitter
Wherever a recipe calls for Campari, you can use Martini Bitter. These are the cocktails in which it shines brightest.
Americano
Bitter, red vermouth and soda over ice. Low in alcohol and perfect before a meal.
Negroni Sbagliato
The "failed" Negroni: prosecco instead of gin. Lighter and sparkling, with the same bitter core.
Negroni
Gin, red vermouth and bitter in equal parts. Add Rubino for a Negroni from a single house.
Jungle Bird
Dark rum, pineapple, lime and red bitter. Bitter and tropical at the same time.Glasses for a bitter aperitivo
A tall glass for Americano and bitter tonic, a heavy tumbler for Negroni and Jungle Bird, and a wine glass for Sbagliato.
More Martini flavours
Martini
Where it all began. On the brand page, discover everything about Martini: its origins, varieties, and classic cocktails.
To Martini →
Martini Bianco
White vermouth with vanilla and herbs. Best 50/50 with tonic in a large copa glass.
View Martini Bianco →
Martini Fiero
Orange vermouth with blood orange. Half and half with tonic, in a large glass full of ice.
View Martini Fiero →
Martini Riserva Speciale Rubino
Full-bodied, woody red vermouth made from Langhe wine. Made for a Negroni or Manhattan with depth.
View Martini Riserva Speciale Rubino →
Martini Vibrante
The taste of red vermouth with bergamot, without alcohol. With grapefruit and sparkling water, a spritz for the Bob.
View Martini Vibrante →Everything about aperitifs: the types, the best-known brands, and the cocktails.
Questions about Martini Riserva Speciale Bitter
Can't find your question here? Read more on the Martini page or check out our cocktail recipes.
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