Martini

The Martini is an iconic cocktail of elegant simplicity, composed of gin and vermouth and garnished with an olive or a lemon twist. Its true beauty lies in the balance and the quality of its ingredients, offering a clean, dry, and botanical flavor profile. Often debated in terms of ratio, preparation (shaken or stirred), and garnish, it remains a pillar of cocktail culture. It is a sophisticated, potent drink best enjoyed ice-cold.
Martini

Preparation

Preparation time: 3 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Martini is the quintessential classic cocktail, a cornerstone of mixology history and culture. It is categorized as an aperitif, meaning it is typically enjoyed before a meal to stimulate the appetite. Its spirit-forward nature places it firmly in the "strong and stirred" family of drinks.

Serving

This is a potent, spirit-forward cocktail served "straight up" (without ice) in a pre-chilled Martini or Coupe glass to maintain its cold temperature and elegant presentation.
Serving size
Approx. 90-120 ml / 3-4 oz
Alcohol content
Estimated 28-35% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Martini or Coupe
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

The Martini's exact origins are murky, with several theories pointing to the late 19th century in the United States. One popular story credits a bartender in Martinez, California, for creating a sweeter, related drink called the "Martinez" for a gold miner. Over time, the recipe evolved, becoming progressively drier and simplifying to the iconic gin and dry vermouth combination we know and celebrate today.
Origin
United States, late 19th century.

Martini

The Martini is one of the most iconic cocktails in the world, typically referred to by its simple name. The qualifier "Gin Martini" is often used to distinguish it from its popular vodka-based variation. The term "Classic Martini" refers to this original gin-based recipe, celebrated for its elegant simplicity.
Original name
Martini
Alternative names
  • Gin Martini
  • Classic Martini

Characteristics overview

The Martini offers a crisp, botanical flavor profile driven by juniper, with a profoundly aromatic nose that changes with the garnish. Its texture is silky and smooth, leading to a clean, dry, and lingering botanical finish.
Flavor
Botanical, Juniper, Herbal, Crisp, Dry
Aroma
Aromatic, Juniper, Citrus (from twist), Saline (from olive)
Taste balance
Dry, Bitter, Umami (from olive)
Aftertaste
Clean, Lingering, Botanical, Warming
Fizziness
Still
Color appearance
Clear, Transparent
Texture
Silky, Smooth, Chilled, Viscous
Seasonality
Refreshing, Year-round

Flavor intensity & Experience

The Martini is a high-intensity, spirit-forward drink dominated by its strong alcohol presence and botanical bitterness from the gin. Depending on the garnish, it can have subtle salty or fruity notes, but it is never sweet, sour, or creamy.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

The classic Martini requires only two essential ingredients: a high-quality gin and fresh dry vermouth. The choice of garnish, either a lemon twist or an olive, is a crucial third component that shapes the final drink.
  • London Dry Gin60 ml / 2 oz
    A quality London Dry Gin is classic, but other styles like Plymouth gin also work well.
  • Dry Vermouth15 ml / 0.5 oz
    The ratio of gin to vermouth is highly personal. This 4:1 ratio is a modern standard, but feel free to adjust. Ensure your vermouth is fresh.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

To properly make a Martini, you will need a mixing glass, a jigger for measurement, a long bar spoon for stirring, and a strainer.
  • Mixing glass for chilling and combining ingredients.
  • Jigger or measuring cup for accurate pours.
  • Bar spoon for stirring.
  • Julep or Hawthorne strainer for straining into the glass.

Instructions

The process involves chilling the serving glass, stirring the gin and vermouth with ice in a mixing glass until very cold, and then straining into the chilled glass before adding the chosen garnish.
1. Chill your Martini or Coupe glass in the freezer for at least 15 minutes.
2. Fill a mixing glass with fresh, cold ice cubes.
3. Add the gin and dry vermouth to the mixing glass.
4. Stir the mixture with a bar spoon smoothly and consistently for 20-30 seconds until well-chilled and properly diluted.
5. Strain the contents into your pre-chilled glass.
6. Garnish with either a lemon twist (expressing the oils over the surface first) or one to three skewered green olives.

Garnishing

The garnish is a critical choice, with a lemon twist providing bright citrus aromatics or a green olive lending a savory, saline quality to the drink.
  • Lemon twist: Express the oils over the drink's surface before dropping it in for a bright, citrus aroma.
  • Green olive: Skewer one or three (never two) green olives on a cocktail pick and place in the glass for a savory, briny note.

Dietary Information

This cocktail is alcoholic and naturally free from caffeine, dairy, eggs, nuts, soy, and gluten. It is suitable for both vegan and vegetarian diets, although some may wish to verify the fining agents used in their specific brand of vermouth.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

A Martini is a low-carbohydrate and low-sugar cocktail, but its calories come almost entirely from the alcohol content, making it a relatively high-calorie drink for its size.
Calories
Averagely 180-220 kcal / 753-920 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 1-2 grams
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 1-2 grams
Sugar level

Occasions

The Martini is a sophisticated choice for any occasion that calls for a touch of elegance. It serves as the perfect pre-dinner aperitif, a classic choice for cocktail parties, and a stylish drink for formal events and celebrations.
  • Cocktail Party
  • Pre-dinner Drink
  • Formal Event
  • Celebration

Pairing suggestions

The Martini's dry and botanical character pairs beautifully with savory and saline foods. It is an excellent companion to seafood like oysters or shrimp cocktail, as well as salty snacks, olives, and charcuterie boards.
  • Oysters
  • Salty snacks like nuts or pretzels
  • Charcuterie and cheese boards
  • Shrimp cocktail

The Martini: The Unquestionable King of Cocktails

The Martini is the epitome of cocktail elegance, a simple yet profound mix of gin and vermouth whose character is defined by the quality of its ingredients and the precision of its preparation. Its history is rich and its variations are endless, allowing it to be tailored to any taste. Whether served with a citrusy twist or a savory olive, the Martini remains a timeless symbol of sophistication and a true test of a bartender's skill. It is a potent, aromatic, and deeply satisfying drink for those who appreciate spirit-forward cocktails.

Variations

Dry Martini

Uses a minimal amount of dry vermouth, often just a rinse of the glass, resulting in a very gin-forward drink.

Perfect Martini

Uses equal parts dry vermouth and sweet red vermouth, creating a more complex and slightly sweeter profile.

Dirty Martini

Includes a splash of olive brine, giving the drink a cloudy appearance and a savory, saline flavor.

Gibson

A standard Martini that is specifically garnished with a cocktail onion instead of an olive or lemon twist.

50/50 Martini

Made with equal parts gin and dry vermouth, highlighting the character of the vermouth.

Similar cocktails

Vodka Martini

Swaps the gin for vodka, resulting in a smoother, less botanical flavor profile. Often shaken at the request of a certain fictional spy.

Vesper Martini

A specific recipe from Ian Fleming's "Casino Royale," made with gin, vodka, and Kina Lillet (now typically Lillet Blanc).

Martinez

A likely precursor to the Martini, made with Old Tom Gin, sweet vermouth, maraschino liqueur, and bitters.

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