Basic and fashionable, a martini is one among our favourite cocktails to make at house. This 2-ingredient recipe makes use of gin and dry vermouth. We find it irresistible with a twist!

This traditional martini recipe was one of many first cocktails Jack realized to make at house. It entered our rotation years in the past, again once we had common poker nights with a gaggle of mates. I’d at all times lose, however I nonetheless joined in each time for the corporate—and the drinks.
Jack thinks (and he’s satisfied me too) {that a} martini is a cocktail that’s really finest made at house. You solely want 2 substances—gin and dry vermouth—and you’ve got full management over the ratios. We each like ours dry, which is how I’ve written the recipe beneath, however I’ve additionally included notes on adapting it to make a moist martini. Strive it a number of instances, and also you’ll shortly discover a stability you like.

Martini Elements
A traditional martini incorporates two substances:
- Gin – The bottle of gin you select will decide the flavour profile of your cocktail. In case you have a favourite model, positively attain for it right here. If you happen to’re unsure the place to start out, we like Hendrick’s (notes of citrus and cucumber) and St. George Botanivore (extra herbaceous and floral).
- Dry Vermouth – Dry vermouth is a kind of fortified white wine. In comparison with candy vermouth, which is utilized in traditional cocktails just like the Manhattan, dry vermouth has a low sugar content material. Botanicals like spices, rose, and orange bark give it an fragrant taste. We like Dolin dry vermouth.
What about vodka? Gin is the normal principal alcohol right here, however if you happen to choose vodka, be happy to make a vodka martini as a substitute. Simply substitute the gin with vodka. It’ll give this cocktail a cleaner style. I personally just like the gin model, however you do you!
Discover the entire recipe with measurements beneath.
Dry Martini vs Moist: The Gin to Vermouth Ratio
We name for five components gin to 1 half vermouth on this recipe, which decidedly makes it a dry martini. To make it barely much less sturdy and convey out the vermouth’s taste, you should use a decrease ratio of gin to vermouth. 2:1 is traditional for a moist martini, however you may even go right down to 1:1 if you happen to like.
The one means to determine what you contemplate a “excellent martini” is to experiment—hold tweaking the ratios till you discover a stability you like!

The best way to Make a Martini
This recipe couldn’t be easier to make:
- Mix the gin, vermouth, and some ice cubes in a mixing glass. Stir till chilled.
- Pressure into a calming martini glass. (Chill the cocktail glass by inserting some ice inside it and stirring gently till condensation varieties on the skin. Discard the ice earlier than including the drink.)
- So as to add a twist, twist a strip of lemon peel over the glass, then drop it into the cocktail.
That’s it!
Shaken or Stirred?
Purists will let you know {that a} martini must be stirred, not shaken. Shaking not solely dilutes the drink, however it offers it a much less clean texture and cloudy look too. We name for stirring on this recipe to provide the finest traditional outcomes.
That stated, you might need seen James Bond drink a shaken martini earlier than…and Jack likes them too. Shards of ice can type within the drink when it’s shaken, which he simply thinks is enjoyable. So if you happen to love utilizing your cocktail shaker, there’s no motive you shouldn’t break it out for this drink.

Extra Basic Cocktail Recipes
If you happen to love this martini recipe, attempt one among these traditional cocktails subsequent:

Basic Martini
Serves 1
Discover ways to make a martini! This recipe calls for five components gin to 1 half vermouth, which yields a dry martini. To make it “wetter,” use a decrease gin to vermouth ratio. 2:1 is an efficient place to start out.
- 2½ ounces gin
- ½ ounce dry vermouth
- Ice
- Lemon twist, for garnish
Forestall your display screen from going darkish
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Add the gin, vermouth, and some ice cubes to a mixing glass. Stir till chilled.
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Pressure into a calming martini glass. Garnish with a lemon twist and serve.
