Classic Martini
Make a martini at home with this foolproof recipe. Whether you like your martini with a twist or dirty with olives, this recipe is for you.
Updated by Kathryne Taylor on August 1, 2024
How about a martini? Sometimes a martini sounds just right. Iโm often disappointed by restaurant martinis (unless Iโm at The Campground in Kansas CityโChris makes the best martini of all time).
So, Iโve been studying the martini and perfecting my at-home martini game. Today, Iโm sharing what Iโve learned!
While martinis may seem intimidating, they are actually the perfect cocktail to make at home. The ingredient list is short and basic. The method is easyโstirred, not shaken, to bring out ginโs best flavors.
Now then, the โperfectโ martini is very much determined by your personal preferences. Iโve typed up a foolproof classic martini recipe below. Iโve also provided suggested ingredients and details to help craft your perfect martini.
Whether you like your martini with gin or vodka, wet or dry, with a lemon twist or dirty with olives, this recipe is for you.
Martini Ingredients
Youโll need just a few ingredients to make a martini at home:
Gin
A true martini is made with gin. London dry gin is traditional and offers a balanced blend of juniper and botanicals. Beefeaterโs gin is a prime example and an excellent choice, whether youโre serving your martini with a twist or making it dirty.
Gin forms the backbone of martini flavor, so your choice of gin is key. Choose the gin that suits you best. Hendrickโs is an unconventional gin with light cucumber flavor that would be lovely in a martini served with a lemon twist.
โฆor vodka
While gin is classic, you might prefer vodka. I get it. Sometimes Iโm more in the mood for a vodka martini. Vodka is less complex than gin so it yields a simpler drink. Any high quality vodka will do, such as Titoโs or Grey Goose.
Dry vermouth
Itโs easy to think of a martini as a glass of straight liquor, but vermouth is absolutely key. Dry vermouth is clear or very pale yellow in color, so it blends in visually with the rest, but offers complex botanical flavors that you might describe as citrusy, herbaceous or floral. Dolin dry vermouth is light and citrusy and just right for martinis, in my opinion.
Compared to sweet vermouth, which is red, dry vermouth is made without any added sugarโhence the term dry. Perhaps confusingly, a โdry martiniโ is made with less dry vermouth than usual.
Tip: Vermouth will keep well in the fridge for up to three months. If you find yourself with extra, you might enjoy it over the rocks or mixed with sparkling water for a spritz.
Garnishes
Now then, are you serving your martini with a twist or green olives? Thereโs no wrong answer, but you must choose one of the two. Unless youโre making a dirty martini (option provided within the recipe), in which case olives are the definite choice.
Tip: If youโre opting for a twist, try to twist your lemon peel directly over the drink before dropping it in. Twisting it releases some of the oils, which will impart extra flavor to your drink.
Donโt forget the ice
No matter how you like your martini, we surely agree that we want it ice cold. Some prefer their martini on the rocks, but I always opt to serve martinis up in a martini glass. That way, they donโt get too watered down over time.
Even then, weโll fill our cocktail glass with ice and water to chill it before serving, and weโll also use plenty of ice (and plenty of stirring) while mixing the martini. Once the martini is properly chilled and lightly diluted by the ice, strain it into the chilled glass and savor it.
Watch How to Make a Martini
Martini Gin to Vermouth Ratios
The ratio of liquor to vermouth has a big impact on the final flavor of your martini, and you can tweak the ratio to suit your preferences. When youโre mixing, consider that liquor offers a strong bite of alcohol (typically 40% alcohol), and vermouth is about half that (Dolin dry is 18% alcohol).
Classic
2:1 ratio. The classic ratio is entirely up for debate, but two parts gin and one part vermouth seems perfectly balanced to my palate.
Dry
4:1 ratio. Dry martinis contain less vermouth than โclassicโ martinis, and again the ratio is debatable (anywhere from 3:1 to 9:1).
Fifty-Fifty
1:1 ratio. Equal parts gin and vermouth yield the the most mellow sipper of the bunch.
Upside-Down
1:5 ratio. Julia Childs liked her martinis upside-down (otherwise known as reverse or wet martinis). She preferred much more vermouth, specifically Noilly Prat vermouth, to gin.
James Bond-Style
This one is interesting! โThree measures of Gordonโs [gin]; one of vodka; half a measure of Kina Lillet. Shake it over ice, and add a thin slice of lemon peel.โ
More Classic Cocktails to Make at Home
Here are a few of my favorite well-known cocktails. Youโll find plenty more, including fun seasonal options, in my cocktail archives.
Please let me know how your martini turns out in the comments! I love hearing from you. Cheers!
Martini
Make a classic martini at home with this foolproof recipe. Whether you like your martini with a twist of lemon or dirty with olives, this recipe is for you. Yields 1 cocktail as written; you can mix several at once if youโd like.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces gin or vodka
- 1 ounce dry vermouth
- For a dirty martini: 1 to 3 teaspoons olive brine
- Garnish: Strip of lemon peel (for a twist) or 2 cocktail olives
Instructions
- Chill your martini glass by filling it to the brim with ice and water. Set it aside while you prepare the cocktail.ย
- Next, fill a mixing glass with ice. Pour in the gin and vermouth. If youโd like a dirty martini, start with 1 teaspoon olive brine.ย
- Use a mixing spoon to stir the mixture in a circular motion until itโs ice cold, about 30 seconds (which will seem like a long time, but itโs worth it). If youโre making a dirty martini, taste and add more brine by the teaspoon if desired.
- Discard the ice and water in your martini glass. Strain the cold martini mixture into the cold glass. Garnish with a lemon twist or olives. Enjoy!
Notes
To make a dry martini: Decrease the amount of vermouth. Try ยฝ ounce for a balanced but dry cocktail.
Suggested ingredients: London-style gin, such as Beefeaterโs, yields the most classic martini. For the vermouth, Dolin dry is excellent. Gin is the traditional choice, but you can use vodka if preferredโtry Titoโs or Grey Goose.
Measurement tips: Two ounces is ยผ cup. One ounce is 2 tablespoons. I like to use this stainless steel jigger (affiliate link) for measuring small amounts of liquid.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionistโs advice. See our full nutrition disclosure here.
Much too much vermouth in those ratios. Drop a dollop of vermouth in the serving glass, give it a swirl and discard all that doesnโt adhere to the glass. Add chilled gin.
Thank you for your feedback, David. I love this recipe, but Iโm glad you have one you enjoy.
Kate, my favorite way to have martinis on hand is mixing 1-2/3 C London dry din with 1/3 C dry vermouth. I put this into a jar, cover with a lid, and place directly into the freezer. When I want a martini, I pour out what I want and garnish with olives and maybe add a splash of olive juice for a dirty. Sometimes I will add an ice cube. Regardless, mix a batch and freeze for a fabulous drink!
Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for this definitive view of the martini!!. I am so used to people ordering with just a whisper of vermouth. I am going to try making one with the ratio you suggested. Who knows. I may end up with Juliaโs martini!!
Youโre welcome!
but but but โฆ you have not said anything about my own creation: black forest martinis โฆ a major favourite here at my condo on our Friday evening gatherings โฆ I made it up one day when I was making the popular chocolate martinis and noticed a cherry liquor on the shelf โฆ so added some to the chocolate martini โฆ and voila!! a black forest martini!
Thank you! Iโve never made my own martini before and it always seemed intimidating. Can you PLEASE let me know where you got those star coupe glasses? LOVE LOVE LOVE them! Thanks for all the great recipes!
Great to hear, Sallyann! The glasses came from Crate and Barrel, purchased perhaps last year or the year before. I donโt see them on their website any more, unfortunately, but they do have some other beautiful coupes!
I never liked Martinis until I discovered I didnโt like the vermouth (may have been the quality). Today, I prefer them extra dry (aka no vermouth) and dirty. Brockmanโs Gin is the most delicious Iโve found, definitely a sipping gin. Donโt make a G&T with it, the tonic ruins the herbal flavors.
1.5oz Brockmanโs & .5oz olive brine over ice, stir for 30 seconds and my perfect martini is ready. Enjoy!!!
Hi Kate, can you please suggest the recipe for lychee martini or strawberry martini.
I donโt have a go-to recipe, sorry!
Absolutely fabulous! Best Martini Iโve ever madeโฆ.and Iโve made my share!
What would you call a martini with coconut milk?
Coco Martinโi