Martini Cocktail Recipe – Classic Gin & Vermouth Elegance
Elegant, crisp, and endlessly customizable — the Martini is the ultimate gin cocktail. Whether you prefer it dry, dirty, or with a citrus twist, this recipe shows you how to master the classic.
Martini Cocktail Recipe – Classic Gin & Vermouth Elegance
A Drink Steeped in History
The Martini is more than just a cocktail—it’s a cultural symbol of refinement, wit, and timeless style. Its exact origins are debated: some trace it to the 1860s Gold Rush in San Francisco, while others point to Martinez, California, where a bartender is said to have first mixed gin with vermouth. By the early 20th century, the Martini had cemented its place as the definitive American cocktail, gracing hotel bars, jazz clubs, and speakeasies alike.
Hollywood and literature only added to its mystique. From Ernest Hemingway and FDR to James Bond’s immortal “shaken, not stirred,” the Martini became shorthand for sophistication, independence, and a touch of rebellion.
What You’ll Need
- Gin – The backbone of the drink. Classic London Dry gin delivers crisp juniper notes, but modern gins can lean floral, citrusy, or herbal depending on the botanicals used.
- Dry Vermouth – A fortified wine infused with herbs and spices. It softens the gin’s sharp edges and adds subtle aromatics.
- Garnish – Lemon twist for bright citrus oils, olives for a briny edge, or even a pickled onion for a Gibson variation.
The Allure of the Martini
Bittersweet Brilliance
The Martini’s magic lies in its simplicity. With only two core ingredients, balance is everything. Too little vermouth and the drink becomes austere; too much and the gin’s character is masked. When dialed in, the result is crisp, clean, and endlessly elegant—a cocktail that rewards precision.
A Cocktail of Personalization
Few drinks are as customizable. Do you like it dry (less vermouth), wet (more vermouth), or dirty (with olive brine)? Do you prefer it shaken for extra chill and dilution, or stirred for silky clarity? Each choice tells its own story.
Substitutions & Variations
- Vodka Martini – Swap gin for vodka for a smoother, cleaner sip.
- Vesper Martini – Gin, vodka, and Lillet Blanc, made famous by Ian Fleming’s Casino Royale.
- Herbal Twist – Try gins infused with cucumber, rosemary, or lavender.
- Low-ABV Spritz – Mix gin, vermouth, and soda water over ice for a lighter take.
Helpful Tips
- Glassware – Chill your Martini glass ahead of time for a frosted effect.
- Ice – Use large, solid cubes to control dilution.
- Pairings – Perfect with oysters, smoked salmon, or a salty charcuterie board.
- Batching – Hosting a party? Pre-batch gin and vermouth in a pitcher, keep it chilled, and stir over ice to order.
A Timeless Classic
The Martini endures because it adapts. It can be austere or indulgent, crisp or savory, shaken or stirred. However you take it, each sip connects you to a tradition of style and simplicity that has charmed drinkers for over a century.
Martini Recipe
Type of Glass
Martini Glass
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 oz.
- 1/2 oz.
Directions
- Fill a shaker half full with ice cubes.
- Pour all ingredients into shaker and shake well.
- Strain drink into glass.
- Garnish with either a Lemon Twist or a Cocktail Olives.
The Martini doesn’t need embellishment: it thrives on restraint. With two ingredients and a garnish, it manages to be endlessly debated, endlessly customized, and never outdated. Whether you take it bracingly dry, luxuriously wet, or unapologetically dirty, the Martini reflects the drinker as much as the recipe. That’s why, more than a century after its birth, it remains not just relevant but essential. Raise your glass, not to nostalgia, but to a drink that still feels modern every time it’s poured.
