Classic Martini Recipe

Name: Zany Grazes Classic Martini Recipe
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 1 servings
Cuisine: Cocktail
Ingredients: 2.5 oz Gin or Vodka; 0.5 oz Dry vermouth; 0.5 oz Olive brine (for Dirty Martini); 1 cup Ice; 2 each Green olives (pitted) or lemon twist; 1 dash Orange bitters (optional, for aroma); 1 tsp Coarse salt (optional, for serving rim); 1 each Mixing glass or cocktail shaker; 1 each Bar spoon; 1 each Jigger or measuring tool; 1 each Hawthorne strainer (if using shaker); 1 each Martini glass

Inspired by Zany Graze

Time15m

Serves1

Dirty, Dry, or Straight Up, with your choice of Gin or Vodka

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Ingredients

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For one cocktail

2 1/2 oz Gin or Vodka

1/2 oz Dry vermouth

1/2 oz Olive brine (for Dirty Martini)

1 cup Ice

2 each Green olives (pitted) or lemon twist

Optional variations / tools

1 dash Orange bitters (optional, for aroma)

1 tsp Coarse salt (optional, for serving rim)

1 each Mixing glass or cocktail shaker

1 each bar spoon

1 each Jigger or measuring tool

1 each Hawthorne strainer (if using shaker)

1 each Martini glass

Method

Preparation

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 fully chill it.

Decide style

Choose 'Dry' (less vermouth), 'Classic/Straight Up' (standard vermouth ratio), or 'Dirty' (add olive brine). Typical proportions here are given for a classic martini; adjust vermouth and brine to taste.

Mixing (stirred method — recommended for gin)

Fill a mixing glass with the measured ice (about 1 cup). Add 2.5 oz gin or vodka and 0.5 oz dry vermouth. If making a Dirty Martini, add 0.5 oz olive brine. If you prefer a very dry martini, use 0.25 oz vermouth or simply rinse the glass with vermouth (see alternate method).

If using orange bitters for aroma, add 1 dash to the mixing glass now.

Stir the mixture with a bar spoon for 20–30 seconds (about 15–20 complete turns) until well chilled and slightly diluted. Stirring preserves clarity and a silky texture; shake only if you prefer a cloudier, more aerated drink (common with vodka martinis after the famous cultural reference).

Empty the ice or ice water from the chilled martini glass. Using a strainer, pour the chilled liquid from the mixing glass into the martini glass.

Garnish: Skewer 2 pitted green olives and drop them into the drink for a Dirty or Classic martini, or express a lemon twist over the drink (pinch the peel over the surface to release oils) and drop it in or discard according to preference.

If desired, rim the glass lightly with coarse salt before pouring: wet the glass lip with a lemon twist and dip into salt. Note this is atypical but an option.

Shaken method (optional — common for vodka)

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the same measured spirits and vermouth (and brine if dirty). Shake vigorously for 10–15 seconds until the shaker is cold to the touch.

Strain into the chilled martini glass and garnish as above.

Alternate vermouth rinse (very dry martini)

Pour a small amount (about 1/4 oz or just a splash) of dry vermouth into the chilled martini glass, swirl to coat the inside, then discard the excess. Add 2.5–3 oz of gin or vodka and stir or gently pour for a very dry style. Garnish as desired.

Serving & notes

Serve immediately while very cold. Adjust vermouth and brine levels to personal taste: more vermouth for a wetter martini, more brine for dirtier. Use high-quality gin or vodka and a fresh vermouth (store vermouth refrigerated and use within a month for best flavor).