Does it stress you out when a friend comes for happy hour and they ask for a martini? Don’t fret, it’s easy to do. Simply use our mouthwatering Gin Martini Recipe and shake up a classic in no time.
There aren’t many drink recipes that can claim to be as timeless as a gin martini. These classic cocktails are something that every home bartender should know how to make.
What is a martini?
Martinis are one of the oldest drinks around and people generally have really strong opinions about what makes a martini the best.
A true martini is made of only gin and vermouth but some argue that a vodka martini is best. However you pour it, a good martini is a great happy hour sipper.
Ingredients
As with all classic drinks the list is short and sweet so be sure to use the best. It truly makes a difference. A huge difference.
Gin - Obviously use your favorite. We prefer small batch varieties for martinis as the taste of the gin is front and center.
Dry Vermouth - Yes, there is a difference between vermouths. The price point doesn’t have to be super high but does give you better quality. Dolin vermouth is our favorite.
Olives - The bigger the better. Leave the smaller ones to make a batch of this green olive dip.
Equipment
Do you need fancy equipment to make a martini? Absolutely not. Are there some tools that make mixing drinks easier? YES!
- A good shaker is key to making good cocktails.
- These mini beakers make measuring a snap and leave little room for error.
- Metal skewers make everything look a little more polished and are the perfect way to skewer your olives.
- Bitters are a bartenders best friend. You only need a dash to take this classic martini to the next level.
How to make a martini
It's so easy to make this classic martini, you'll wonder what took you so long to try it at home!
- Fill shaker with ice.
- Add gin, vermouth and bitters.
- Shake
- Strain into glass, garnish and serve!
FAQs
A true traditional martini is stirred instead of shaken. However, James Bond preferred his shaken, not stirred and we agree!
We shake ours for 2 reasons:
1. Shaking allows the vermouth to dissolve into the gin and not taste as oily.
2. Shaking makes your drink cold. All martinis taste best ice cold.
If there is one thing martini drinkers love, it’s the garnish.
Spanish queen olives are our go-to but don’t skimp with just one - 3 is best.
Feeling fancy? You can also use pickled onions, mushrooms or blue cheese stuffed olives.
A classic martini is just vermouth and gin, but a dirty martini has a splash of olive brine in it.
Serving suggestions
We have a variety of glassware that use when we sere we martinis.
Different sizes and shapes of martini glasses make it easy for people to tell which drink is theirs: stemless, with stems or even these fancy copper ones that keep your drink cold for a really long time!
Martini Variations
Gin not your thing? You can easily change up a classic martini in a few simple steps.
- Use your favorite small batch vodka instead of gin.
- Use a flavored vodka (Blueberry is our favorite!)
- Make your martini dirty by adding a bit of brine from the olives.
- Swap out your vermouth and use sweet instead of dry for a different flavor.
More classic cocktails
Knowing how to make classic cocktails makes you the best home bartender! Check out our other classics.
Cosmo Recipe - Don’t let the pink color fool you, this sipper is anything but girly.
Old Fashioned - Whiskey/rye lovers this one is for you! There is nothing more belly warming than a solid old fashioned cocktail.
Classic Daiquiri - Forget the frozen versions. This drink is made with only 3 ingredients, just like you would get in Cuba!
Other gin drinks
This Elderflower martini, made with gin and vodka, is one of our most popular martinis!
We took a classic gin and tonic, added a splash of elderflower to create this updated Elderflower gin and tonic.
An Aperol Gin Cocktail is filled with cucumber and lime and is a perfect cocktail for the gin lover in your life.
Swap out rum and make this Moscow Mule with Gin!
Gin Martini Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 ounces Gin
- 1 ounce dry vermouth
- 1 dash bitters
- Olives for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a shaker with ice
- Add gin, vermouth and dash of bitters
- Shake vigorously to combine.
- Strain into Martini Glass
- Garnish with olives and serve immediately.
Notes
VIDEO
Nutrition
Nutrition info not guaranteed to be accurate.
You can never go wrong when you serve this Classic Gin Martini Recipe. It's so simple, timeless and is a sure way to impress all your friends with your home bartending skills!
A martini should have one olive. Two is bad luck. Three is a salad. Brine is disgusting and bitters are silly. Never shake vigorously (creates air bubbles) or stir. Just swirl.