How to Make Martinis

The martini cocktail is a drink associated with power, class, and of course James Bond. But its roots go much further back than that, to a drink very different from what's commonly found in today's 'Martini Bars'. The term 'martini' seems to be replacing 'cocktail' in common usage, so now there are hundreds of 'martini' recipes from classic martinis, flavored vodka martinis, dessert martinis to modern/trendy varieties that resemble the classic martini only in the type of glass used.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Martini shaker Martini glass Gin Vermouth (Green)Olives

1. Add ice to the shaker. Don't skimp; ice is a necessary component to chill and blend the other ingredients.

2. Add vermouth. The amount and type of vermouth varies according to taste (from a splash to a shot). Some people like their martinis "perfect"--that is, made with 50% red (also known as "Italian" or "sweet") and 50% white (also known as "French" or "dry") vermouth. Note: "perfect" in this context is a bit of cocktail terminology referring to the vermouth mixture, and is not a value judgement regarding the flavor of a martini made this way. In a similar vein, one could order e.g. a "perfect" Manhattan.

3. (optional) Shake and pour into glass. Roll vermouth in glass to form a film or coating then dump out. This will make for a drier martini.

4. If you are using vodka, you can use a cocktail shaker, or mix the martini by stirring. You can use the shaker bottom for mixing and stirring, if you'd like. NEVER shake a gin martini; you will bruise the gin and it will cloud. Gin should always be stirred.
   (optional) add 1 – 2 dashes of orange bitters.

5. Stir or shake. Melted water from the ice is a necessary ingredient to a proper martini to mellow the "burn" off the alcohol.
   Strain the ingredients into a well-chilled martini glass.

6. Garnish.

Tips & Warnings

• Use top-shelf gin if possible. Boodles, Bombay Sapphire and Tanqueray 10 gin make extraordinary, clear-as-a-diamond martinis. Don't be afraid to try exotic and sometimes hard to find gins like Plymouth (England), Hendricks (Scotland) or Desert Juniper (Oregon).
• Never drink and drive.