Traditional and fashionable, a martini is certainly one of our favourite cocktails to make at dwelling. This 2-ingredient recipe makes use of gin and dry vermouth. We like it with a twist!

This traditional martini recipe was one of many first cocktails Jack realized to make at dwelling. It entered our rotation years in the past, again after we had common poker nights with a bunch of buddies. I’d at all times lose, however I nonetheless joined in each time for the corporate—and the drinks.
Jack thinks (and he’s satisfied me too) {that a} martini is a cocktail that’s really greatest made at dwelling. You solely want 2 elements—gin and dry vermouth—and you’ve got full management over the ratios. We each like ours dry, which is how I’ve written the recipe under, however I’ve additionally included notes on adapting it to make a moist martini. Attempt it just a few instances, and also you’ll shortly discover a steadiness you like.

Martini Components
A traditional martini accommodates two elements:
- Gin – The bottle of gin you select will decide the flavour profile of your cocktail. If in case you have a favourite model, positively attain for it right here. Should you’re undecided the place to begin, we like Hendrick’s (notes of citrus and cucumber) and St. George Botanivore (extra herbaceous and floral).
- Dry Vermouth – Dry vermouth is a kind of fortified white wine. In comparison with candy vermouth, which is utilized in traditional cocktails just like the Manhattan, dry vermouth has a low sugar content material. Botanicals like spices, rose, and orange bark give it an fragrant taste. We like Dolin dry vermouth.
What about vodka? Gin is the standard fundamental alcohol right here, however for those who desire vodka, be at liberty to make a vodka martini as an alternative. Simply exchange the gin with vodka. It’ll give this cocktail a cleaner style. I personally just like the gin model, however you do you!
Discover the entire recipe with measurements under.
Dry Martini vs Moist: The Gin to Vermouth Ratio
We name for five elements gin to 1 half vermouth on this recipe, which decidedly makes it a dry martini. To make it barely much less sturdy and produce out the vermouth’s taste, you need to use a decrease ratio of gin to vermouth. 2:1 is traditional for a moist martini, however you can even go all the way down to 1:1 for those who like.
The one means to determine what you think about a “excellent martini” is to experiment—hold tweaking the ratios till you discover a steadiness you like!

How one can Make a Martini
This recipe couldn’t be easier to make:
- Mix the gin, vermouth, and some ice cubes in a mixing glass. Stir till chilled.
- Pressure into a relaxing martini glass. (Chill the cocktail glass by putting some ice inside it and stirring gently till condensation varieties on the surface. Discard the ice earlier than including the drink.)
- So as to add a twist, twist a strip of lemon peel over the glass, then drop it into the cocktail.
That’s it!
Shaken or Stirred?
Purists will let you know {that a} martini needs to be stirred, not shaken. Shaking not solely dilutes the drink, but it surely provides it a much less clean texture and cloudy look too. We name for stirring on this recipe to provide the greatest traditional outcomes.
That stated, you might need seen James Bond drink a shaken martini earlier than…and Jack likes them too. Shards of ice can kind within the drink when it’s shaken, which he simply thinks is enjoyable. So for those who love utilizing your cocktail shaker, there’s no purpose you shouldn’t break it out for this drink.

Extra Traditional Cocktail Recipes
Should you love this martini recipe, attempt certainly one of these traditional cocktails subsequent:

Traditional Martini
Serves 1
Learn to make a martini! This recipe calls for five elements gin to 1 half vermouth, which yields a dry martini. To make it “wetter,” use a decrease gin to vermouth ratio. 2:1 is an effective place to begin.
- 2½ ounces gin
- ½ ounce dry vermouth
- Ice
- Lemon twist, for garnish
Stop your display screen from going darkish
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Add the gin, vermouth, and some ice cubes to a mixing glass. Stir till chilled.
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Pressure into a relaxing martini glass. Garnish with a lemon twist and serve.


