Martini Monday Recipe

Chill glass

Place a martini glass in the freezer for at least 10 minutes or fill it with ice water while you prepare the cocktail to ensure it is well chilled.

Combine ingredients

In a mixing glass filled with ice (about 1 cup), pour 2.5 oz gin or vodka and 0.5 oz dry vermouth.

Stir or shake

Stir gently with a bar spoon for 20–30 seconds if using gin (to preserve clarity and smoothness). If the guest prefers a shaken martini (or you used vodka and want it colder/cloudier), shake vigorously for 8–10 seconds in a cocktail shaker. Both methods will chill and dilute slightly.

Prepare glass & garnish

Discard ice water from the chilled martini glass. If using a lemon twist, express the oils over the glass by holding a lemon peel over the cocktail and giving it a quick twist, then rub the rim and drop it in. If using an olive, skewer 1 olive and set aside.

Strain & serve

Strain the stirred or shaken mixture into the chilled martini glass. Garnish with the lemon twist or 1 olive and serve immediately.

Follow the Classic Martini steps but after pouring the base spirit and vermouth into the mixing glass, add 0.5 oz olive brine. Stir or shake with ice for 20–30 seconds (stirring recommended for clarity). Strain into chilled glass and garnish with 2 olives on a pick.

Chill the martini glass as above. In a mixing glass with ice, add 2 oz gin, 1 oz vodka, and 0.5 oz Lillet Blanc. Stir or, per the original recipe, shake briefly for about 8–10 seconds. Strain into the chilled glass and garnish with a lemon twist.

Always use plenty of fresh ice for chilling and dilution control, pre-chill glassware for best presentation, and clean tools to ensure the pure flavor of the martini.