How to Make Martinis

Co-authored by Ollie George Cigliano

Last Updated: February 17, 2024

The martini cocktail is a drink associated with power, class, and of course, James Bond. A classic martini features a combination of gin and vermouth, though many people also enjoy vodka martinis. For an even more flavorful option, you can try a dirty martini, which uses the brine from green olives traditionally used to garnish the cocktail to complement the gin and vermouth. When it comes to actually mixing the martini, you can choose between stirring and shaking to see which option you like best.

Ingredients

Classic Gin Martini

Cracked ice
2 ½ ounces (74 ml) dry gin
½ ounce (15 ml) dry vermouth
Green olive for garnish

Vodka Martini

Ice
1 ⅔ parts vodka
⅓ part dry vermouth
1 green olive
1 twist lemon

Dirty Martini

Ice
2 ½ shots gin
½ shot cocktail olive brine
⅛ shot extra-dry vermouth

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Whipping Up a Classic Gin Martini

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1
Add the ice, gin, and vermouth to a cocktail shaker and stir well.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Ollie George Cigliano
Private Chef & Food Educator

Expert Interview. 30 August 2021.} To make the martini, you’ll need a cocktail shaker or mixing glass. Fill it with cracked ice, 2 ½ ounces (74 ml) of gin and ½ ounce (15 ml) of dry vermouth. Use a long spoon to stir the ingredients for about 15 seconds or until it’s well mixed.^{[2]
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- If you prefer, you can shake the martini to mix it together.
- If you prefer a dryer martini, adjust the ratio so you're using less vermouth and more gin.^{[3]
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  Expert Source
  
  Kady Richardson
  Mixologist
  
  Expert Interview. 6 August 2020.}
- A wetter martini would have closer to a 50-50 ratio of vermouth and gin.^{[4]
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  Expert Source
  
  Kady Richardson
  Mixologist
  
  Expert Interview. 6 August 2020.}
Once you’re done stirring the martini, cover the top of the shaker or glass with a cocktail strainer. Pour the martini into a martini glass through the strainer to remove the ice.^{[5]
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Garnish the martini with an olive and serve. After you’ve poured the martini into the glass, place a single green olive on a toothpick and set it the glass to garnish. Serve the martini while it’s still cold.^{[6]
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- You could also garnish the martini with a lemon twist or a cocktail onion.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Preparing a Vodka Martini

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1
Add the ice, vodka, and vermouth to a mixing glass and stir well.^{[7]
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Expert Source

Ollie George Cigliano
Private Chef & Food Educator

Expert Interview. 30 August 2021.} Fill a large mixing glass with ice. Next, pour 1 ⅔ parts of vodka and ⅓ part of dry vermouth into the glass. Use a long spoon to stir the ingredients together for 10 to 15 seconds.^{[8]
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Research source}
- You can shake the martini if you prefer.
2
Strain the martini into a chilled glass. Once the martini is mixed, cover the glass with a cocktail strainer. Pour the liquid through the strainer into a chilled glass so you keep the ice out of the glass.^{[9]
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- To chill the glass, place it in the freezer for 2 minutes before you pour the martini.
After you’ve poured the martini, drop a green olive into the glass. Next, float a piece of lemon rind on top and serve the martini while it’s still chilled.^{[10]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Fixing a Dirty Martini

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To make the martini, you’ll need a cocktail shaker or mason jar. Add enough ice to the shaker to fill it completely.
Once the shaker is filled with ice, pour 2 ½ shots of gin, ½ shot of cocktail olive brine, and ⅛ shot of extra-dry vermouth over it. Cover the shaker, and shake the contents for 10 to 15 seconds to mix them well.
After the martini is mixed, place a cocktail strainer over the top of the shaker and pour the martini through it into a martini glass. Add a green olive as a garnish and serve the martini while it’s still chilled.

Expert Q&A

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Question

Should I use vodka or gin in a martini?

Kady Richardson
Mixologist
Kady Richardson is a mixologist in the San Francisco Bay Area. Kady has completed the Comprehensive Bartending Training Program at The Cocktail Camp in San Francisco and specializes in creating approachable, at-home recipes for cocktails. Kady holds a BA in American Studies and an MA in Sociology from Stanford University.

Kady Richardson

Mixologist

Expert Answer

Vodka and gin are both similarly, so they have a similar base. The main difference is that gin has botanicals added to it, so gin is going to have more flavor notes> It will typically have juniper, but then also citrus or some sort of spice or herbaceous flavor.

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Should the guy be allowed to touch ice and garnish with fingers?

Community Answer

If he has clean fingers, then yes, this would be fine in the home environment. However, using tongs would be more likely in a commercial environment. Always wash your hands before doing food or drink preparation.

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Question

What is the proper name for the pick that you put the garnish on for a martini?

Community Answer

A regular toothpick works just fine to hold the garnish for a martini, but cocktail skewers usually have a more decorative look.

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Tips

Vodka and gin are distilled similarly, but gin has botanicals added to it, so using gin will add spice, citrus, or herbaceous notes to your drink.^{[11]
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Expert Source

Kady Richardson
Mixologist

Expert Interview. 6 August 2020.}

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A 'vodka martini' is properly called a Kangaroo.

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For a "smoked" martini, follow recipe for a dirty martini and add a dash of single malt scotch to give it a nice smoky taste.

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Warnings

Never drink and drive.

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Only consume alcohol if you’re of legal age in your country.

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Always drink responsibly. Drinking too much alcohol can make you extremely sick.

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Avoid alcohol consumption if pregnant, taking medication, or having digestive disorders.

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