Capital Martini Recipe

Cocktail

1. 1

   Chill glass

   Place a martini (coupe or Nick & Nora) glass in the freezer for 5–10 minutes or fill it with ice water while you prepare the cocktail to ensure it is properly chilled.

2. 2

   Decide style

   Choose one preparation: Clean (classic 'up' with vermouth only), Dusty (very light olive brine), Dirty (standard olive brine), or Filthy (extra brine-forward). Use the corresponding olive brine quantity: Clean = 0 oz brine (omit), Dusty = 0.25 oz, Dirty = 0.5 oz, Filthy = 1.0 oz.

3. 3

   Combine ingredients

   Fill a mixing glass or shaker with 1 cup of ice. Add 2.5 oz Ketel One vodka and 0.5 oz dry vermouth. If making Dusty/Dirty/Filthy, add the chosen amount of olive brine (0.25 oz / 0.5 oz / 1.0 oz).

4. 4

   Stir (preferred) or shake

   For a silky, clear martini: stir the mixture with a bar spoon for 20–30 seconds until well chilled and slightly diluted. For a colder, slightly more aerated martini: shake vigorously for 10–12 seconds. Strain immediately.

5. 5

   Prepare garnish

   If serving Clean, express a lemon twist over the glass by pinching the peel to release oils, then rub the rim and drop it in or discard. For Dusty/Dirty/Filthy, thread 2 green olives on a cocktail pick.

6. 6

   Serve

   Empty the ice or water from the chilled glass if used. Fine-strain the cocktail into the chilled martini glass. Garnish with the olives (or lemon twist). Serve immediately.

7. 7

   Notes

   Adjust the vodka-to-vermouth ratio if desired (classic 5:1 used here). 'Up' indicates served chilled and strained into a stemmed glass. If you prefer a drier martini, reduce vermouth to 0.25 oz or rinse the glass with vermouth instead of adding it to the mixing glass.