Ice-cold Martinis Recipe

Martini

1. 1

   Chill the serving glass

   Place the martini glass in the freezer for 5–10 minutes, or fill it with coarse ice and cold water while you prepare the drink to ensure the glass is very cold.

2. 2

   Fill mixing vessel with ice

   Fill a mixing glass or cocktail shaker halfway with plenty of ice (about 1 cup). Using fresh, large ice is best to avoid over-dilution.

3. 3

   Add vermouth

   Pour 0.5 oz dry vermouth over the ice in the mixing glass. If you prefer an extra-dry martini, reduce to a rinse: swirl 0.25 oz and discard, or omit entirely according to taste.

4. 4

   Add gin

   Add 3 oz gin to the mixing glass on top of the vermouth and ice.

5. 5

   Stir to chill and dilute

   Using a bar spoon, stir the gin and vermouth with the ice for 20–30 seconds (about 20–30 full spoon rotations) until the mixture is well chilled and slightly diluted. Stirring yields a clear martini; shaking will create more dilution and aeration.

6. 6

   Prepare garnish

   If using a lemon twist: peel a 1-inch strip of lemon zest, avoiding the bitter white pith, and give it a quick twist over the drink to release oils. If using an olive: thread a pitted green olive onto a cocktail pick.

7. 7

   Empty and chill glass (if used ice/water)

   If you used ice and water to chill the glass, discard the ice and water and dry the glass quickly so no water dilutes the martini.

8. 8

   Strain and serve

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

9. 9

   Garnish and enjoy

   Add the lemon twist by rubbing it around the rim then dropping it into the drink, or drop the olive into the glass. Serve immediately while ice-cold.