Classic Martini

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PREP TIME 5 min

Cocktail Type

Martini

Great for

Summer

Difficulty

Easy

Top view of a classic Martini cocktail served with savory snacks

The Martini is one of the most iconic cocktails of all time. Associated with sophistication, class, and 007 of course, the Martini has cemented itself as a classic staple. With so many Martini variations doing the rounds, some bars now have whole menus dedicated to them, with a dazzling array of dry, wet, sweet, and spicy concoctions. But to set your standards suitably high, it’s time to try our very best Classic Martini recipe. 

QUICK TIPS

01

A classic gin Martini is the perfect pre-dinner drink for a more sophisticated evening.

02

Shake your Martini if you prefer a more diluted drink. Stir it if you want a drink that tastes slightly stronger.

03

The art of the Martini is all about using the best spirits and getting the ratios right.

INGREDIENTS

MAKE FOR

1 Person

1.5 Oz

45 Ml

1.5 Parts

3
Drops of orange bitters
A twist of lemon and olives to garnish
Ice

INSTRUCTIONS

01

Add ice to a large mixing glass

02

Add the gin, vermouth and orange bitters

03

Stir until chilled (about 30 seconds)

04

Strain into a chilled Martini glass

05

Express the lemon peel over the top of the drink, rub it down the stem of the glass and then drop it into the drink

06

Garnish with an olive, and serve

How to make a Classic Martini

You’ll probably be surprised by how simple it is to make a Martini. With only two key ingredientsgin or vodka and dry vermouth, making a Martini is all about using the best spirits and getting the ratios right.  

The big question: shaken or stirred?

James Bond famously asked for his martini to be “shaken not stirred”, however, martini experts generally disagree with this. That’s because shaking causes more of the ice to chip off and melt, diluting and altering the temperature of your martini. Stirring martinis gently with a cocktail stirrer results in a silkier mouthfeel and stops them from becoming cloudy.  

Which is better, gin or vodka?

Martini purists argue that a drink can only be called a real martini if it’s made with gin, and that anything else simply doesn’t count. But as time has gone by, you’re now just as likely to see modern martinis made with vodka, fruit, and even sparkling wine-based varieties like the Champagne Martini 

What is dry Vermouth and why is it important in a Martini?

As one of the only two ingredients of a classic Martini, dry vermouth plays a very important role in this iconic recipe. Typically clear or pale yellow in color, it is classed as a light and airy fortified wine. The best type to use has well-integrated floral, fruity, and herbal notes. This is particularly true of Cinzano Vermouth Bianco, which pairs beautifully with the botanical flavors of gin.

Sweet vermouth, on the other hand, has a richer infusion of herbs and spices, which gives it a deeper amber color. It imparts hearty notes of spices like vanilla, caramel, and darker fruits, that underpin classic cocktails like the Negroni and Manhattan.

More about vermouth: Everything You Need to Know About Vermouth

4 Amazing Martini variations to try

The Classic Martini may seem like a deceptively simple combination of gin and dry vermouth, but there are many ways to shake up this particular combo. Here are a few variations to try if you’re on a mission to find your fave:

  • Dry Martini: The Classic Martini features a ratio of 6 parts gin to 1 part vermouth. Some people prefer even less vermouth, using just a splash or rinse of the fortified wine to make a Dry Martini.
  • Wet Martini: On the flip side, a Wet Martini is more vermouth-heavy, often with a ratio of about 4 parts gin to 1 part vermouth. The exact ratio will vary based on individual taste preferences.
  • Dirty Martini: A Dirty Martini takes the core ingredients of a Classic Martini – dry gin and vermouth – and adds one (rather unexpected) ingredient: olive brine. By adding a dash of olive brine, the drink is given a uniquely salty and savory flavor that many people love.
  • Perfect Martini: The Perfect Martini is made in the same way as the classic, but instead of only using dry vermouth, the recipe calls for equal parts dry and sweet vermouth. This gives the drink a sweeter finish.

More martinis this way: 22 Types of Martinis You Should Know

Lemon twist or olives?

Lemon peel is a classic choice as a Martini garnish. It adds a bright and citrusy zing to the drink that makes the rest of the flavors pop. A lemon twist is also simple to make.

  • Start by washing a lemon and patting it dry.
  • Use a sharp knife or a vegetable peeler to cut a strip of lemon peel, avoiding as much of the white pith as possible.
  • Twist the strip of lemon peel to form a curl or twist shape, and give it a squeeze over the cocktail glass before you drop it in the drink to release the aromatic essential oils.

If you prefer a more savory flavor profile, olives are a great garnish choice. For a classic Martini, the most common type of olive used is the pitted green olive. The brininess and saltiness of the olive add a complementary flavor to the drink and helps to balance the taste of the gin. You can either use whole olives or stuff them with ingredients such as blue cheese or almonds to add an extra pop of flavor.

More garnish ideas: 16 Creative Cocktail Garnish Ideas for Your Next Cocktail Night

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Traditionally, the alcohol in a martini is gin and vermouth but as the drink as evolved over time, vodka martinis have become a popular alternative.  

A dirty martini is a spin on the traditional martini with the addition of a little olive juice, usually taken from a jar of olives.  

While there are now countless variations, the three most famous martini drinks are the Dirty Martini, the Vesper Martini and the Gibson Martini.   

No - however a vodka martini is made up of mostly vodka with a little dry vermouth.  

Whether you opt for a gin or a vodka martini, the spirit is the primary ingredient in the cocktail, so if you like gin or vodka, you’ll probably be a fan.