The martini is the epitome of cocktail sophistication, a simple yet elegant drink that showcases the quality of its ingredients. Whether you prefer gin or vodka, dry or wet, this classic cocktail has stood the test of time for good reason.
The Classic Gin Martini Recipe
The traditional martini celebrates gin's botanical complexity with minimal interference:
Ingredients:
- 2 oz (60ml) gin
- 1/2 oz (15ml) dry vermouth
- Lemon twist or olive for garnish
- Ice for chilling
Method:
- Fill mixing glass with ice
- Add gin and vermouth
- Stir for 20-30 seconds
- Strain into chilled martini glass
- Express lemon twist or add olive
Essential Ingredients
Gin Selection
London Dry Gin - The traditional choice
- Clean, juniper-forward flavor
- Best brands: Beefeater, Tanqueray, Bombay Sapphire
Plymouth Gin - Smooth alternative
- Softer, more rounded profile
- Perfect for martini purists
Premium Gins - For special occasions
- Hendrick's, Monkey 47, Nolet's
- Each brings unique botanical character
Vermouth Options
Dry Vermouth - Traditional choice
- Noilly Prat, Dolin Dry, Martini & Rossi Extra Dry
- Adds subtle herbal complexity
Sweet Vermouth - For sweeter palates
- Creates a "Perfect Martini" when mixed with dry
- Carpano Antica, Dolin Rouge
Garnish Choices
- Lemon twist: Classic, aromatic oils
- Olive: Traditional, salty contrast
- Cocktail onion: Makes it a Gibson
- No garnish: Clean, minimalist
Martini Variations
Dry Martini
Ingredients:
- 2 oz (60ml) gin
- 1/4 oz (7ml) dry vermouth
- Lemon twist garnish
Extra Dry Martini
Ingredients:
- 2 oz (60ml) gin
- 1/8 oz (4ml) dry vermouth
- Lemon twist garnish
Wet Martini
Ingredients:
- 2 oz (60ml) gin
- 1 oz (30ml) dry vermouth
- Lemon twist garnish
Perfect Martini
Ingredients:
- 2 oz (60ml) gin
- 1/4 oz (7ml) dry vermouth
- 1/4 oz (7ml) sweet vermouth
- Lemon twist garnish
Vodka Martini
Ingredients:
- 2 oz (60ml) vodka
- 1/2 oz (15ml) dry vermouth
- Olive garnish
Dirty Martini
Ingredients:
- 2 oz (60ml) gin or vodka
- 1/2 oz (15ml) dry vermouth
- 1/4 oz (7ml) olive brine
- Olive garnish
Gibson Martini
Ingredients:
- 2 oz (60ml) gin
- 1/2 oz (15ml) dry vermouth
- Cocktail onion garnish
Stirring vs. Shaking
Stirring (Traditional Method)
When to stir:
- Gin martinis
- Clear cocktails
- Spirit-forward drinks
- When you want silky texture
Technique:
- Fill mixing glass with ice
- Add ingredients
- Stir with bar spoon for 20-30 seconds
- Strain into chilled glass
Shaking (Bond's Method)
When to shake:
- Vodka martinis
- Dirty martinis
- When you want extra cold temperature
- When you prefer cloudy appearance
Technique:
- Fill shaker with ice
- Add ingredients
- Shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds
- Double strain into chilled glass
Essential Tools
Must-Have Equipment
- Mixing glass: Heavy-bottomed for stirring
- Bar spoon: Long spoon with twisted handle
- Julep strainer: For stirred cocktails
- Hawthorne strainer: For shaken cocktails
- Martini glass: Chilled before serving
Optional Enhancements
- Ice tongs: For handling ice cubes
- Citrus peeler: For perfect twists
- Olive pick: For elegant presentation
- Chilling glass: For pre-chilling glassware
Pro Tips for Perfect Martinis
Temperature Control
- Pre-chill glassware - Fill with ice water for 30 seconds
- Use fresh ice - Avoid freezer-burned ice
- Stir/shake properly - Achieve proper dilution
- Serve immediately - Don't let sit
Ingredient Quality
- Use premium spirits - Quality shows in simple drinks
- Fresh vermouth - Refrigerate after opening
- Quality garnishes - Fresh citrus, premium olives
- Proper ratios - Balance gin and vermouth
Technique Mastery
- Consistent stirring - Same speed and direction
- Proper straining - Remove ice chips
- Express garnishes - Release aromatic oils
- Clean presentation - Professional appearance
Glassware and Presentation
Traditional Glass
- Martini glass: Classic V-shaped glass
- Chilled properly: Essential for temperature
- Right size: 4-6 oz capacity
- Clean rim: No salt or sugar
Modern Alternatives
- Coupe glass: Elegant, vintage style
- Nick & Nora: Smaller, sophisticated
- Crystal glass: Premium presentation
- Copper mug: Unique twist
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Stirring Mistakes
- Over-stirring: Too much dilution
- Under-stirring: Insufficient chilling
- Wrong direction: Inconsistent mixing
- Too fast: Creates unwanted aeration
Shaking Mistakes
- Over-shaking: Over-dilution and cloudiness
- Under-shaking: Insufficient chilling
- Wrong ice: Too small melts quickly
- Poor straining: Ice chips in drink
Ingredient Mistakes
- Stale vermouth: Refrigerate after opening
- Wrong ratios: Too much or too little vermouth
- Poor gin quality: Use spirits you'd drink neat
- Warm glassware: Always pre-chill
Seasonal Martini Variations
Spring: Floral Martini
Ingredients:
- 2 oz (60ml) gin
- 1/2 oz (15ml) dry vermouth
- 1/4 oz (7ml) elderflower liqueur
- Edible flower garnish
Summer: Cucumber Martini
Ingredients:
- 2 oz (60ml) gin
- 1/2 oz (15ml) dry vermouth
- 2 cucumber slices
- Cucumber wheel garnish
Fall: Apple Martini
Ingredients:
- 2 oz (60ml) vodka
- 1/2 oz (15ml) dry vermouth
- 1/4 oz (7ml) apple liqueur
- Apple slice garnish
Winter: Spiced Martini
Ingredients:
- 2 oz (60ml) gin
- 1/2 oz (15ml) dry vermouth
- 1/4 oz (7ml) spiced liqueur
- Cinnamon stick garnish
Food Pairings
Perfect Matches
- Oysters: Classic pairing
- Caviar: Luxurious combination
- Smoked salmon: Complements gin botanicals
- Cheese: Aged cheddar, blue cheese
Unexpected Pairings
- Sushi: Clean flavors work well
- Light appetizers: Bruschetta, canapés
- Seafood: Grilled fish, shrimp
- Nuts: Almonds, pistachios
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
Vermouth Storage
- Refrigerate after opening - Keeps for 2-3 months
- Use within weeks - Fresh vermouth is essential
- Check expiration - Stale vermouth ruins martinis
Preparation Tips
- Pre-chill glassware - Ready when needed
- Have garnishes ready - Fresh twists, olives
- Quality ice - Large cubes for stirring
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Too Strong
- Add more vermouth - Increases dilution
- Stir longer - More mixing time
- Use less gin - Reduce to 1.5 oz (45ml)
Too Weak
- Reduce vermouth - Less dilution
- Stir less - Shorter mixing time
- Use more gin - Increase to 2.5 oz (75ml)
Wrong Temperature
- Pre-chill glass - Fill with ice water
- Use larger ice - Slower melting
- Stir longer - More chilling time
Poor Flavor
- Check vermouth - May be stale
- Quality gin - Use premium spirits
- Fresh garnishes - Replace old ingredients
Perfect Martini Checklist
Before You Start
- [ ] Quality gin or vodka selected
- [ ] Fresh dry vermouth ready
- [ ] Garnishes prepared (twist, olive, onion)
- [ ] Glassware chilled
- [ ] Ice cubes ready
During Preparation
- [ ] Fill mixing glass with ice
- [ ] Add spirits and vermouth
- [ ] Stir or shake properly
- [ ] Strain into chilled glass
- [ ] Add garnish correctly
Final Result
- [ ] Proper temperature
- [ ] Balanced flavors
- [ ] Clean presentation
- [ ] Appropriate dilution
- [ ] Professional appearance
The History of the Martini
The martini's origins are debated, but it likely evolved from the Martinez cocktail in the 1860s. It became popular during Prohibition and reached its peak in the 1950s-60s. The drink has remained a symbol of sophistication and elegance for over a century.
Modern Martini Trends
Contemporary Variations
- Craft gin martinis: Using artisanal gins
- Flavored martinis: Infused with herbs or fruits
- Smoky martinis: Using mezcal or smoked gin
- Low-ABV martinis: Reduced alcohol versions
Bar Trends
- House-made vermouth: Custom vermouth blends
- Garnish creativity: Unique, Instagram-worthy presentations
- Temperature precision: Exact chilling techniques
- Glassware variety: Different vessels for different styles
The martini's enduring appeal lies in its simplicity and sophistication. Master the basic technique, use quality ingredients, and you'll have a cocktail that never goes out of style.
Remember: the best martini is the one you enjoy most. Start with the classic recipe, then experiment with ratios and variations to find your perfect version. Whether you prefer gin or vodka, dry or wet, stirred or shaken, the martini offers endless possibilities for personalization.