Black-Tie Martinis

Directions

1. 1.

   Combine gin and peppercorns, then let stand 15 minutes.

2. 2.

   Stir together 1/2 teaspoon finely ground pepper and 1/2 teaspoon salt on a plate. Wet rim of 1 Martini glass with your fingertip and dip in salt mixture, rotating glass to coat rim. Repeat with 2 more glasses.

3. 3.

   Strain gin through a fine-mesh sieve into a 16-ounce cocktail shaker three-fourths full of ice. Add vermouth and bitters and stir 15 seconds. Strain into Martini glasses.