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There seems to be an almost endless variety of Martini’s out there today, so if you want to know how to make a Martini, it really depends on which Martini you want to make; and sometimes who you’re asking. Many purists and Martini connoisseurs will tell you that there really is only one true Martini, and that’s the classic Martini made with gin and dry vermouth. For this article I’ll keep things simple and focus on the classic, as well as mention the popular substitution of vodka for gin.
To begin with, to make a Martini you will need these main liquid ingredients:
In addition, you will need the following:
- Lemon twist or green cocktail olive
- Martini glass
- Mixing glass† (A tall 16 to 20 ounce mixing glass used to stir, not shake the drink. Any large glass will work, including a Boston shaker’s mixing glass.)
- Strainer (Stainless steel handheld strainer with a spring coil designed to fit snugly over the opening of the mixing glass.)
- Cracked ice or ice cubes (never crushed ice.)
How to make a Martini
Instructions:
- Icy coldness is a must, so be sure to keep the gin and glasses in the freezer.
- Stir the gin (or vodka) and vermouth in a mixing glass with the ice.
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass
- Run the lemon peel around the rim, twist it over the drink and drop it in. You may also drop in the olive if you prefer that.
That’s it! Now you know how to make a Martini. Of course, there are many variations and you can take a look at some of the Martini recipes on this blog for other ideas.
† This is used when you prefer your Martini stirred and not shaken. Shaking the Martini can “bruise” the gin. Alternatively, Vodka Martini drinkers tend to agree with James Bond and prefer their drink shaken. It all comes down to personal preference. To shake a Martini, use a standard cocktail shaker to do so.
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