Perhaps there is nothing as classic as a Martini. Much like all classics, the origin of the Martini is up for debate. There are a few things, that in this authors opinion, are not:
- A classic Martini is made with gin.
- A classic Martini is stirred.
- James Bond orders Martinis incorrectly, but he’s still damn cool.
So how do you make a Martini? The basic foundation is always the same – gin, vodka, and garnish. The execution of this ratio changes based on the individuals preference. We tested ratios from 6 parts gin to 2 parts gin combined with 1 part dry vermouth. What we found was that a wetter Martini (2 parts gin to 1 part vermouth), ended up being a much more robust and balanced cocktail. That’s not to say you can’t make one with 100 parts gin to 1 part dry vermouth, but that it wouldn’t be our recommendation.
The Classic Martini
The play of the aromatics of gin, mixed with the subtle acidity and flavor of wine and herbs gives the Martini it’s character. The smoothness imparted by the ice and dilution creates a strong, clean flavor cocktail, with a crisp appearance. The glass lends its classic elegance.
So what about Vodka Martinis?
Well – when it comes to Vodka, this is sometimes called a Kangaroo and has a different ratio. If you shake it, it becomes a Bradford. So what’s the big deal with shaking. The simplest explanation is that shaking rearranges molecules in a much faster and abrasive manner. This changes the amount of dilution and the texture. In other words, you end up with a different final product. If you want a fantastic and deep explanation, check out this post from Steve The Bartender.
- Gin – We recommend a London Dry Gin for your Martini. Our go to is Beefeater.
- Dry Vermouth – Our recommendation is Dolin Dry, but feel free to use your preference.
- Orange Bitters – These are a personal preference, and may work better or worse depending on your choice of gin. We recommend trying at least one Martini with orange bitters to determine if this is your jam. We use Fee Brothers*, but Regan’s* is highly recommended as well.
- Garnish – There are a lot of choices for garnish, but olives and lemon twists are customary. We recommend lemon twists to accentuate aromatics, and olives to add a salinity.
* – These are affiliate links that help us to offset the cost of running First Pour Cocktails. We may receive some portion of the purchase price from items you buy through these links.
14 thoughts on “The Classics: The Martini”