Martini is perhaps the most personal drink order. It seems that almost everyone drinks their Martini in a different way. Even if you stick to the traditional gin and vermouth recipe, there are many gins to choose from, as well as a variety of garnishes and even different gin to-vermouth ratios to personalize the classic cocktail. There are also many ways to make the classic cocktail more interesting. You can substitute the gin for another spirit or add new flavors. We won’t even touch on the many drinks with “Martini” in the name (we’re talking about Espresso Martini). These drinks are not the same as the originals in flavor or form, but they do look the same in glassware.
There are many Martini varieties, so you can be sure to find the one that suits your drinking style. You can choose your favorite.
Dry Martini
This is the classic Martini style. Drinkers around the world love this combination of dry vermouth and London dry Gin in a 5 to 1 ratio. The “Dry” part of the drink’s name refers more to the small amount of vermouth required than the dry classification of the gin or vermouth.
Dirty Martini
You can keep the Dry Martini’s dry vermouth and gin in the same proportion, but you should not add orange bitters. Instead, you can add olive brine to the mix and a festive multiolive garnish that doubles up as a snack. This will give you this delicious and slightly savory Martini variant.
Vodka Martini
Martini purists will argue that vodka is not the right choice for this drink. Our answer: It has vodka in its name, not gin. You can make it the same way as a standard Dry Martini but use vodka instead of gin. Contrary to what Agent 007 ordered in the James Bond films, stir this cocktail, not shake it.
Vesper
This cocktail is named after Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond. Fleming asks Bond to read the recipe to him in Casino Royale. “Three Measures of Gordon’s, one measure vodka, and half a teaspoon of Kina Lillet.” It’s best to shake it well until it’s cold. Then add a thin slice of lemon peel. It should be stirred, not shaken. This boozy concoction was still a good idea.
50/50 Martini
This Martini “variation” mixes equal amounts of gin, dry vermouth, and orange bitters with a lemon twist. It is actually very similar to the original Martini recipe. The late 19th-century recipe called for equal parts gin, sweet vermouth, and Angostura bitters, along with a lemon twist. This version, which is dry-rich in vermouth, remains a popular choice today.
Reverse Martini
This spin will allow you to reverse the ratio of vermouth and gin in a standard Martini, if the 50/50 is still too heavy on the vermouth. This cocktail has a lower ABV and contains nearly twice the dry vermouth than gin. It also includes a barspoon maraschino, which is a great way to begin or end your evening.