Martini
Arguably, the most popular cocktail of all time. Made properly, a martini can take your breath away with its icy fire and at the same time, sooth the stress of the most savage day. The classic martini has only two ingredients--so it's important to use the best you can afford. Store vermouth in the refrigerator to retain its flavor. Don't chill the gin or vodka or it won't get diluted enough by the ice to achieve the proper proportions (one-eighth to one-fourth water). Energetic shaking with ice is vital for a smooth/silky result. Stirring produces a crystal-clear martini but it will never get as cold as a shaken martini. Always serve martinis in a frosty-cold glass. Garnish with a pitted olive (stuffed or no).
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INGREDIENTS
NutritionMartini
- 2ounces gin (or vodka)
- 1⁄2ounce dry vermouth
Classic Dry Martini
- 2ounces gin (or vodka)
- 1 1⁄2teaspoons dry vermouth
Extra-Dry Martini
- 2ounces gin (or vodka)
- 1teaspoon dry vermouth
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DIRECTIONS
- Add ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice; shake vigorously.
- Strain into a chilled glass.
- Garnish with olive.
- **Cajun Martini: substitute jalapeno-infused vodka or gin for regular gin; garnish with a pickled tomato or okra, or a tiny whole red or green chile.
- **Dirty Martini: add 1 to 2 teaspoons olive brine.
- **Fino Martini: substitute 2 teaspoons fino sherry for the vermouth.
- **Gibson: garnish with a cocktail onion.
- **Paisley Martini: reduce vermouth to 1 1/2 teaspoon; add 1 teaspoon Scotch; garnish with lemon twist.
- **Perfect Martini: use half sweet vermouth and half dry vermouth; garnish with orange slice.
- **Rumtini: substitute light rum for gin; garnish with lime twist.
- **Saketini: substitute sake for the vermouth; garnish with lemon twist or olive.
- **Scotini: substitute Scotch for the vermouth; garnish with lemon twist.
- **Sweet Martini: substitute sweet vermouth for the dry vermouth; garnish with orange slice.
- Tequini: substitute tequila for gin.
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