PREP TIME 5 min
Have you ever wondered how to make a Dry Martini and get the recipe juuust right? Well, turns out you’re not alone. This classic gin and vermouth cocktail has been around for ages, and it is as popular as ever! While there are plenty of variations to this classic drink, we find that sometimes all you need to get the perfect result is to stick to the recipe. And that’s exactly what you’ll do when figuring out how to make this cocktail.
Put your Martini glasses into the freezer about 30 minutes before serving
Pour the gin, dry vermouth, and bitters into an ice-filled mixing glass
Stir until ice cold
Strain into a pre-chilled Martini glass
Twist a lemon peel over the Dry Martini, and drop it into the drink
Serve
Like many of the classic cocktails, the Martini’s origin story is 1 part fact, 2 parts speculation, and 3 parts tall tale. Some say that it began life in Martinez, California, during the gold rush of the 1800s. A local miner struck it big and wanted a glass of champagne to celebrate, but the bar was out. The bartender mixed him up a drink with similar ingredients to the modern 2-ingredient Martini, and the Martinez cocktail was born. The Martinez evolved over time and eventually became the Martini.
Others, like author Barnard Conrad, say that it was most likely invented in San Francisco by the famous bartender, Jerry Thomas. Miners would have sampled his version of the cocktail on their way to the city of Martinez.
The real story is lost to history, but like most cocktails, there are usually evolutions of what has come before. Bartenders tweak, refine, and add their spin until perfection is achieved. Most cocktail history is never as clean as the first sip of this classy clinker, but tall tales make for exciting reading.
Today’s classic Martini is one of the cocktail greats that will never go out of style. Its simplicity of gin and vermouth means good technique is key to a great Martini.
When it comes to how to make a Dry Gin Martini, purists will tell you to stick to the classic, but where’s the fun in that? A Martini is probably the best example of a cocktail that is bespoke to its drinker. These classy clinkers can be everything from wet and dirty to dry and extra dry. They can be shaken or stirred, but contrary to Mr. Bond, stirred is preferred to maintain a viscous texture. If you’re after something extra, then try a Martini infused with lime, cucumber, lemon, apple, or even passionfruit.
The Martini is a cocktail for special occasions, but a well-timed Martini will turn any event into a special occasion. Serve it at cocktail or dinner parties, or set up a Martini station during lunch with friends and tailor each one to taste.
