Malone's Classic Martini Recipe

Chill glass

Place a martini coupe or chilled cocktail glass in the freezer for 5–10 minutes or fill it with ice water while you prepare the drink to ensure the cocktail stays cold.

Combine ingredients

In a mixing glass or cocktail shaker filled about three-quarters with ice, pour 2.5 oz gin and 0.5 oz dry vermouth. Add 1 dash of orange bitters if using.

Stir

Stir the mixture with a bar spoon for 20–30 seconds (about 15–20 strokes) until well chilled and slightly diluted. Stirring rather than shaking keeps the martini clear and silky.

Prepare glass

If you chilled the glass with ice water, dump the water now. If you used the freezer, remove the glass and ensure it is dry and cold.

Strain

Using a julep or hawthorne strainer, strain the chilled martini from the mixing glass into the chilled martini glass.

Lemon twist

If using a lemon peel: hold the peel over the drink with the outer skin facing down and give it a quick twist to release the oils, then rub the rim with the peel and drop it into the glass.

Olive option

If using an olive: skewer a single large green olive on a cocktail pick and rest it across the rim or drop it into the glass.