Bartenders Choice Martini Recipe

Chill Glass

Place a martini or coupe glass in the freezer for at least 5 minutes, or fill with ice water while you prepare the cocktail to ensure it is well chilled.

In a mixing glass or shaker, add the ice (about 6–8 medium cubes). Fill only the mixing vessel used for stirring or shaking — do not overfill.

Pour in 3 oz gin (or vodka) and 0.5 oz dry vermouth over the ice.

If using orange bitters, add 1 dash now. If making a dirty martini, add 0.5 oz olive brine here and reduce vermouth to taste (optional).

Stirring method (classic, smoother): Using a bar spoon, stir the mixture for 30–40 seconds (about 20–30 full turns) until the outside of the mixing glass feels very cold and slightly frosted. This will properly dilute and chill the spirit. Shaking method (brighter, more aerated): If you prefer, seal the shaker and shake vigorously for 8–12 seconds, then strain. Note: shaking will aerate and slightly cloud the drink.

Taste a small sip (optional) and adjust balance: add a few more drops of vermouth if you want a more herbal note, or a touch more spirit if too soft.

Discard ice or water from the chilled serving glass.

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

If using a lemon twist: express oils by holding a 0.5 piece of peel (about half a lemon peel) over the glass, skin-side down, and give it a firm twist to spray the oils across the surface, then run the peel around the rim and drop it into the glass or discard per preference.

If using an olive: thread 1 pitted green olive onto a cocktail pick and place it in the drink. For a more savory note, use two olives.

Serve immediately while very cold.

If you added orange bitters earlier, note it will add a subtle citrus-spice lift. If you used a peel to rinse the glass (optional): twist the peel over the glass to express oils, then rub the peel around the rim and discard.

If making a very dirty martini, adjust olive brine to taste — start with 0.25–0.5 oz and increase in 0.25 oz increments, then repeat chilling/diluting steps if you change proportions significantly.