Gin Martini

I’ll be honest, I don’t understand what people see in Martinis. When I want something strong, I go for a Manhattan, the Oaxaca Old Fashioned, or really anything else. But hey, James Bond drank it and other people do too.

2.5 oz gin
0.75 oz dry vermouth
1 dash orange bitters
Green olives

Stir gin, dry vermouth and bitters in a mixing glass with lots of ice. Strain with a mesh strainer into a coupe. Garnish with green olives.

I recommend using Beefeater gin and Dolin dry vermouth.

Martini lexicon ~

Dirty Martini is a martini with small amount of olive brine, typically garnished with a green olive.

Vodka Martini is the same thing as a gin martini, but with vodka. The original way to make a martini is with gin.

A Gibson is a martini with a pickled onion.

A Vesper is a martini made with both gin and vodka.

Martini glass existed before the martini cocktail and was popularized during the US prohibition. It is traditionally used because the steeply sloping sides prevent ingredients separating, but it’s less popular these days and bartenders now tend to serve martini’s in a coupe or in a nick and nora glass.

Olives or lemon? The most common garnished for a martini are olives or a lemon twist, and are usually selected to pair with the aromatics of the gin used. But, there are several others: order a Gibson and you’ll be getting a martini with a pickled onion.