Vodka Martini Directions

A vodka martini with no dirt, or no olive juice, will appear clear.

Though some purists will argue that a vodka martini is not actually a martini and just a martini knockoff, the vodka martini has a pretty strong following. The martini has multiple variations, from the classic dry with a twist to the very dirty with five olives. Once you learn vodka martini basics, you have the base knowledge to create many of its variations and have learned a few, simple bar skills.

Things You'll Need

• Pint glass
• Cocktail spoon
• Vodka
• Dry vermouth
• Martini or cocktail glass
• Skewer
• Olives
• Lemon twist
• Cocktail shaker (optional)

Instructions

1. Add a splash or two of vermouth to the cocktail glass, and then add ice and soda water. The ice and soda water will help the vermouth coat the glass. Add less vermouth for a drier martini, and no vermouth for an extra dry one.

2. Add 1 to 1.5 cups of ice to the pint glass, then pour in 3 oz. vodka. Select higher-grade vodka for martinis, since there is little in the cocktail that can mask a poorly made vodka.

3. Add the desired amount of olive juice. Most people generally prefer a splash or two, or slightly dirty, though some love to saturate the martini with 1 to 1.5 oz. olive juice.

4. Stir the contents in the glass with the cocktail spoon for 10 to 20 seconds. If the martini has more than a 1/4 oz. olive juice, then the drink can be shaken in a cocktail shaker.

5. Dump in the ice, dry vermouth and soda water from the cocktail glass into the pint glass, then strain the martini back into the cocktail glass. Garnish with a lemon twist or olives on a skewer or cocktail sword. If garnishing with olives, then add an odd number since even numbers are supposed to be bad luck.

References

• "Classic Cocktails: Over 170 Drinks from Yesteryear That You Can Enjoy Today"; Tom Bullock; 2001
• "Bartending for Dummies"; Ray Foley; 2010