Make the perfect martini recipe with gin (or vodka), dry vermouth, and a simple lemon twist or olives for garnish. This elegant, classic cocktail has been around for centuries and is considered one of the most popular mixed drinks in the world. Use your favorite high-quality gin or vodka for the best-tasting sipper!
While a classic martini is made with dry gin, many people prefer the taste of a vodka martini. Gin is a robust liquor with lots of flavor from botanicals and spices. Vodka, on the other hand, doesn’t have a strong flavor, which makes it smoother and more desirable to some. You can use either one in this recipe, depending on your preference. For more classic cocktails, try my sidecar recipe, negroni recipe, or Manhattan recipe.
What You Need to Make This Recipe
Gin or vodka — dry gin is the classic choice, but if you prefer the relatively mild flavor of vodka, you can use that too.
Vermouth — dry vermouth is classically used in a martini. If using an already-opened bottle, make sure the vermouth is fresh and not vinegary, and store any leftovers in the fridge.
Garnish — a lemon peel adds a bright, citrusy element to the cocktail, while olives add tang and saltiness.
How to Make This Martini Recipe
1. Add ice to a mixing glass, then add either gin or vodka.
2. Pour in the dry vermouth.
3. Stir with a cocktail stirrer for 30 seconds or until cold.
4. Strain the drink into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a lemon twist or olives, and enjoy immediately.
Pro Tips for Making This Recipe
- Use a chilled glass. The best martinis are served ice cold, so put your glass into the freezer for about 30 minutes before you whip up your cocktail.
- Stir the martini. Stirring the martini for about 30 seconds will cause the ice to melt and dilute the alcohol slightly for a perfectly balanced flavor.
- Don’t use crushed ice. It will melt too quickly and water down the martini. Larger ice cubes are best.
- Don’t serve this martini over ice. Adding ice to the glass will make a very watered-down drink.
- For a dry martini: A dry martini is simply one with less vermouth, so reduce the amount of vermouth until the cocktail is as dry as you want it.
- To make a dirty martini recipe: Add a splash of olive brine, or up to 1 ounce for lots of olive flavor.
- To make a 50/50 martini, use equal parts of gin/vodka and vermouth. This is a less boozy option.
- If you prefer a sweet martini, try my French martini or swap out the dry vermouth for an equal amount of sweet vermouth in this recipe.
- Add a dash of orange bitters, which brightens up the cocktail with zesty citrus flavor. Definitely opt for a twist of lemon peel garnish if you go with this variation!
Frequently Asked Questions
The classic is a gin martini, but many people prefer a vodka martini. Vodka has a milder flavor than gin, which has a more complex flavor from juniper berries, citrus peel, and other botanicals.
A dirty martini simply has olive brine added to the cocktail. Usually, dry vermouth and olive brine are added in equal amounts. Green olives are the typical garnish for dirty martinis.
The standard ratio of gin/vodka to vermouth in a dry martini is 5:1, meaning there are 5 parts of gin or vodka to 1 part vermouth. You can change these up for a drier martini, which has a lower vermouth ratio. Or, if you like your martinis less boozy, try a wet martini, which has a 2:1 ratio of liquor to vermouth. For an even milder version, make a 50/50 martini, which has equal parts gin or vodka and vermouth. Play around with the amounts of each one to suit your personal taste!
James Bond got it wrong. A classic gin martini should be stirred, not shaken! Shaking can “bruise” the gin, which causes the crisp botanical flavors to break down, negatively affecting the taste of the cocktail. But of course, if you prefer shaking yours up, you can do that too with this same recipe!
There are so many delicious, creative martini recipes out there! I have several recipes, like my lemon drop martini recipe, refreshing cucumber martini, decadent chocolate martini, espresso martini, pomegranate martini, and a festive peppermint martini.
If you love this recipe try these out!
If you’ve tried this martini recipe, then don’t forget to rate it and let me know how you got on in the comments below. I love hearing from you!
Martini Recipe
Equipment
- Martini glass, chilled
- Mixing glass
- Cocktail stirrer
- Cocktail or fine mesh strainer
Ingredients
- 2½ ounces vodka or gin
- ½ ounce dry vermouth
- lemon twist or olives for garnish
Instructions
- In the mixing glass, combine the vodka or gin and vermouth. Fill with ice and stir for 30 seconds or until well chilled.
- Strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a lemon twist or olives.
Notes
- Use a chilled glass. The best martinis are served ice cold, so put your glass into the freezer for about 30 minutes before you whip up your cocktail.
- Stir the martini. Stirring the martini for about 30 seconds will cause the ice to melt and dilute the alcohol slightly for a perfectly balanced flavor.
- Don’t use crushed ice. It will melt too quickly and water down the martini. Larger ice cubes are best.
- Don’t serve this martini over ice. Adding ice to the glass will make a very watered-down drink.
- For a dry martini: A dry martini is simply one with less vermouth, so reduce the amount of vermouth until the cocktail is as dry as you want it.
- To make a dirty martini recipe: Add a splash of olive brine, or up to 1 ounce for lots of olive flavor.
- To make a 50/50 martini, use equal parts of gin/vodka and vermouth. This is a less boozy option.
- If you prefer a sweet martini, try my French martini or swap out the dry vermouth for an equal amount of sweet vermouth in this recipe.
- Add a dash of orange bitters, which brightens up the cocktail with zesty citrus flavor. Definitely opt for a twist of lemon peel garnish if you go with this variation!
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