Mason Delacroix
The martini is an iconic cocktail with a rich history and many variations. The traditional martini is made with gin and vermouth, but the ratio of these two alcohols can vary depending on the desired dryness of the martini. A classic martini is made with two parts gin and one part vermouth, but dry martinis contain less vermouth, with ratios ranging from 3:1 to 9:1. The choice of gin is key, with London dry gin offering a balanced blend of juniper and botanicals. Beefeater's gin is a popular choice, but Hendrick's, with its light cucumber flavor, also works well in a martini with a lemon twist. While gin is traditional, some people prefer to use vodka, which yields a simpler drink.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Alcohol base | Gin or vodka |
| Vermouth | Dry vermouth |
| Ratio | 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 5:1, 6:1, 8:1, 12:1, 15:1 or 1:1 |
| Stirred or shaken | Stirred, not shaken |
| Served | With ice shards or without |
| Garnish | Lemon twist, olives, blue cheese stuffed olives, cocktail onions, lemon peel, pickled gherkin, whisky |
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What You'll Learn
Gin is the traditional base spirit
A classic martini is made with gin, vermouth, and a garnish. The smallest alteration to this combination can make a big difference. For example, a few teaspoons of olive brine can turn a classic martini into a dirty martini.
The ratio of gin to vermouth in a martini has changed over time and is also a matter of personal preference. During the 1930s, the ratio was 3:1 (gin to vermouth), and during the 1940s, it was 4:1. In the latter part of the 20th century, 5:1 or 6:1 dry martinis became considered the norm. Drier variations can go up to an 8:1, 12:1, or 15:1 ratio.
The type of gin used in a martini can also vary. London dry gin is traditional and offers a balanced blend of juniper and botanicals. Examples of this style include Beefeater's gin and Plymouth Gin. Hendrick's is an unconventional choice with a light cucumber flavor that would pair well with a lemon twist.
While gin is the traditional base spirit for a martini, vodka is also commonly used. Some people prefer vodka because it is less complex than gin and yields a simpler drink. Premium vodka brands like Belvedere or Ketel One are recommended for use in vodka martinis.
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Vodka is a popular alternative
While gin is the traditional base spirit for a martini, vodka is a popular alternative. The earliest martini recipes from the 19th century called for Italian (sweet) vermouth, but the dry martini, featuring dry gin and dry vermouth, took its current form by the turn of the 20th century.
A vodka martini is also known as a "Kangaroo cocktail". Vodka is a neutral spirit, which means it has a smoother, less complex flavour than gin. Vodka martinis are often served shaken, not stirred, as famously ordered by the fictional British Secret Service agent James Bond. However, shaking a martini with only booze is generally not recommended, as it can bruise the spirit and mask its flavours.
Vodka is also a common base for a Dirty Martini, a variation of the classic martini that includes olive brine. The more neutral flavour profile of vodka allows the olive brine to shine through without being muddled by gin's heavier botanicals.
The ratio of liquor to vermouth in a martini will depend on personal preference. The classic ratio is up for debate, but two parts gin and one part vermouth is considered perfectly balanced by some. Dry martinis contain less vermouth than classic martinis, and the ratio can vary from 3:1 to 9:1. A "wet" martini contains equal parts gin and vermouth, yielding a more mellow, aromatically complex drink.
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Vermouth is the second ingredient
The ratio of gin to vermouth in a martini has evolved over time, with the amount of vermouth decreasing steadily throughout the 20th century. In the 1930s, the ratio was 3:1 (gin to vermouth), and this shifted to 4:1 in the 1940s. During the latter part of the century, 5:1 or 6:1 dry martinis became the norm, with drier variations going up to 8:1, 12:1 or even 15:1. The ratio is ultimately up to personal preference, as reducing the amount of vermouth increases the prominence of the gin flavour and makes the drink stronger.
A "Perfect Martini" uses equal parts sweet and dry vermouth, resulting in a less strong cocktail with a more mellow flavour. This variation was named after British Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery, who was known for his preference for a high ratio of gin to vermouth in his martinis.
When making a martini, it is important to use a well-preserved bottle of vermouth, as the quality of the ingredients matters in such a straightforward cocktail. Vermouth should be refrigerated after opening to maintain its quality.
While gin is the traditional choice for a martini, some people prefer to use vodka, which has a smoother flavour and is less complex than gin. A vodka martini is sometimes called a "Kangaroo Cocktail".
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Shaken or stirred?
The martini is one of the most iconic and classic cocktails. However, there is no one definitive way to make it, and people are often divided on the best method.
The traditional martini is made with gin, specifically London dry gin, which offers a balanced blend of juniper and botanicals. Beefeater's gin is a prime example. The classic martini also includes vermouth, a fortified wine blended and infused with herbs and botanicals. The ratio of gin to vermouth is up for debate, but two parts gin to one part vermouth is considered a classic ratio. A dry martini contains more gin, with common ratios ranging from 4:1 to 8:1. A "perfect martini" uses equal parts gin and vermouth.
The martini's versatility also means that it can be made with vodka instead of gin. A vodka martini is also known as a "Kangaroo cocktail". A dirty martini, which includes olive brine, is usually made with vodka, as the spirit's neutral profile allows the brine to shine.
When it comes to the question of "shaken or stirred?", the conventional wisdom is that a martini should be stirred, especially if it contains only booze, as shaking can "bruise" the gin and mask its botanical flavours. However, a dirty martini is an exception, as shaking allows the denser olive brine to mix with the less dense spirit.
Of course, the most famous proponent of a shaken martini is the fictional British spy James Bond, who famously ordered his martini "shaken, not stirred".
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Dry, wet, or dirty?
The martini is one of the most iconic and classic cocktails, with a history spanning over a hundred years. The original form of the martini, according to early recipes, was sweet, with Italian (sweet) vermouth. The dry martini, which took its current form by the turn of the 20th century, features dry gin, dry vermouth, and sometimes, a dash of orange bitters.
The dry martini is a variation that favours the spirit, with a minute amount of vermouth added to accentuate the nose of the cocktail without softening the gin or vodka. The ratio of liquor to vermouth in a dry martini can vary, but it typically falls between a 4:1 and 8:1 ratio of gin to vermouth.
The wet martini, also known as a 50/50 martini or reverse martini, shifts the focus towards the vermouth, creating a more aromatically complex drink with a heavier body. This variation was preferred by Julia Child, who liked her martini with much more vermouth than gin.
The dirty martini is another popular variation, believed to have originated in 1901 by New York bartender John O'Connor. It features gin or vodka, dry vermouth, and olive brine, which accentuates the sweet and savoury components of the vermouth while tamping down any bitterness. The spirit's neutral profile, especially in the case of vodka, allows the olive brine to shine without getting muddled by gin's heavier botanicals. The dirty martini is often shaken, rather than stirred, to allow the denser olive brine to mix thoroughly with the spirit.
The choice of gin or vodka in a martini is a matter of preference. Gin is the traditional choice and forms the backbone of the martini's flavour, with London dry gin being the most classic style. Vodka, on the other hand, is less complex and yields a simpler drink.
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Frequently asked questions
A martini is a cocktail that traditionally consists of gin and vermouth. Vodka martinis are also common, and the drink can be garnished in a number of ways.
Vermouth is a fortified wine, blended and infused with different herbs and botanicals.
Gin is a more complex spirit with a number of botanical flavours, most of which are juniper-forward. Vodka, on the other hand, is a neutral spirit that is flavourless and tends to be smoother.
A dry martini contains more gin and less vermouth than a classic martini.
A dirty martini is a variation of a classic martini that includes olive brine.
