Gearhungry logo. Gearhungry logo.
  • Gear
    • Everyday Carry
    • Best Gun Cleaning Kits
    • Best Pocket & Folding Knives
    • Best Rechargeable Flashlights
    • Best Hiking Gloves
    • Best Neck Knives
    • Best Penlights
    • Best Hydration Packs
    • Best Slingshots
    • Best Bowie Knives
    • See More
  • Home
    • Best Essential Oil Diffusers
    • Best Oil Lamps
    • Best Cold Brew Coffee
    • Best Tea Makers
    • Best Hygrometers
    • Best Meat Cleavers
    • Best Lunch Boxes
    • See More
  • Tech
    • Best Mini Projectors
    • Best Smart Doorbells
    • Best Telescopes
    • See More
  • Tools
    • Best Torque Wrenches
    • Best Cordless Lawn Mowers
    • See More
  • Fitness
    • Best Fitness Gifts
    • Best Boxing Gloves
    • Best Gym Equipment for Your Home
    • Best Curl Bars
    • Best Barbell Collars
    • Best Mouthguards
    • Best Fitness Watches
    • See More
  • Style
    • Best Leather Belts
    • Best Stretch Denim Jeans
    • Best Neck Gaiters
    • Best Trucker Hats
    • Best Beard Trimmers
    • Best Work Boots
    • Best Ear Warmers
    • Best Men’s Walking Shoes
    • See More
  • Fun & Games
    • Best Chess Sets
    • Best Adult Jigsaw Puzzles
    • Best Basketballs
    • See More
  • News
  • Blog
  • More
    • About Us – Learn More About Gear Hungry
    • Editorial Guidelines: How We Create Reviews and Buyer’s Guides
    • Advertise
    • Brand assets
    • Contact
  • Home
  • Blog

How To Make The Perfect Martini

Avatar
By GearHungry Staff
Published February 14, 2020
GearHungry Staff
GearHungry Staff posts are a compilation of work by various members of our editorial team. We update old articles regularly to provide you the most current information. You can learn more about our staff here.
Learn about The Gearhungry's Editorial Process
GearHungry may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Learn more

Make The Perfect Martini

Any time is martini time and there’s something soothing about preparing it. As far as the cocktail hour at home goes, or for that matter, cocktails anytime, the martini has been a long-established favorite. It’s a drink that screams style and sophistication. The martini’s appearance on the big screen only served to confirm it. If you want to find out how much shaken not stirred makes a difference, read this first and find out how to make the perfect martini.

glass of martini

A Bit About Martini

Some people argue the martini was the very first cocktail, others disagree. Whatever is right, the martini does have a valid claim to fame. Among legendary bartenders and cocktail makers, the martini is referred to as ‘the king of cocktails’.

The martini first popped onto the scene in the 19th century. It was a worthy descendant of the Fancy Gin Cocktail which included in its blend genever (or jenever, a Dutch juniper gin), curaçao made with laraha citrus fruit (only found on a Dutch island colony) and the famous Boker’s bitters founded in 1828, with ingredients that including the asain spices cassia and cardamom and very bitter orange peel. For a very long time, Bokers were the only bitters to use in a cocktail.

Today’s modern martini is a lot drier and altogether a more serious drink than it was in its earliest form and people still love it. The martini has a long list of famous fans that includes President Franklin Roosevelt, Raymond Chandler, Churchill, WC Fields and our very own cultural icon, Homer Simpson.

What’s In It?

In terms of ingredients, the perfect martini is the simplest of cocktails, but with few ingredients, the proportions become more important to create the unique martini flavor. The recipe is simple to follow and easy to remember.

two glasses of martini

The Recipe For Making The Perfect Martini

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces of gin
  • Half ounce of dry vermouth
  • Half ounce of sweet vermouth
  • Lemon or olives for garnish

Instructions

Get a mixing glass with ice cubes in it and pour all the liquid ingredients in. Stir well and drain out into a chilled cocktail glass. Add a lemon peel twist or two green olives to garnish. Never both.

More About The Ingredients

To the novice cocktail lovers and maker, the short list of ingredients looks set and fixed but there are ways to be innovative and enjoy variation to find your kind of this perfect cocktail.

martini

Ice

When there are only two real ingredients, ice becomes critical. Ice does more than chill the martini. There’s a lot happening behind the scenes. You need to use the ice carefully to ensure it makes your drink cold without watering it down. Save the crushed and shaved ice for margaritas. You need the cubes whole to mix a perfect martini.

Gin Or Vodka?

Both vodka or gin are okay to use. It depends on your preference but it is a good idea to avoid cheap bottom shelf varieties when preparing the king of cocktails.

Instead, if gin is your drink opt for one with flavors, such as Bombay, Beefeater or Tanqueray. Any gin goes well, so feel free to experiment. The clean profile of the martini lets you experience each gin’s unique blend without the confusion of competing flavors.

Mostly professionals use classic London Dry Gin because it is more juniper-forward, but Oxley English Dry Gin with a softer juniper flavor balanced with a combination of meadowsweet and citrus is popular. For an impressive floral nose, there’s Bloom made with honeysuckle and chamomile.

red martini

Vermouth

Vermouth plays a vital supporting role in mixing the perfect martini. This is a fortified wine with coriander and nutmeg and other herbs and spices blended with other aromatic botanicals such as juniper and orange peel. Once opened, Vermouth stays good in the refrigerator for about three months but it’s still sensible to go for smaller bottles.

The Vermouth gives the martini its monikers, such as set, dry or extra wet.  If you like your martini dry use the least amount of vermouth with a ratio to the gin of around 6:1. Wet has a ratio of 3:1 and extra wet is equal parts.

You can experiment with vermouth to find your ideal combination and it is a good idea to start with big brands such as Cinzano, Carpano, Vya or Noilly Prat. Once you have discovered your palette, there’s nothing wrong with exploring less well-known Vermouth blends. There are many small producers coming out with impressive options.

The Garnish

You can also experiment with the garnishes that top off your idea of the perfect martini. The classics are a twist of lemon peel or a green olive. Twist the peel directly over the surface of the cocktail to deliver its citrus oil. There are lots of green olives to try and martini connoisseurs say that adding a drop or two of olive brine lifts all the flavors.

blue martini

In the end, perhaps it’s what you think makes the perfect martini that matters. You can certainly use the basic recipe to start finding out. Since the martini cocktail is a great party drink, perhaps discovering the perfect martini is the excuse you need to invite a few people around. If ever there was a drink that can cause a stir and create a sensation, it’s the martini. Its reign over various other concoctions has been solid and unshaken for years now. It’s cocktail hour somewhere on the planet right now. Join in and raise your glass for the toast, ‘Long live martini, the King of Cocktails’.

Share

Sign up for our newsletter
Related Reads
18 best gifts for cocktail lovers review in 2019
#Gift Guides

Gifts For Cocktail Lovers In 2021

see more→
best shot glasses
#Home

Best Shot Glasses In 2021

see more→
gifts for men who love to drink
#Gift Guides

Gifts For Men Who Love To Drink in 2021

see more→
Sign Up Now
GET THE VERY BEST OF GEARHUNGRY STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX
Gearhungry logo
  • Home
  • About Us – Learn More About Gear Hungry
  • Contact
Gear Hungry – West Hollywood, California
8605 Santa Monica Blvd
PMB 30337
West Hollywood, California 90069-4109 US
Gear Hungry – Denver, Colorado
1624 Market St Ste 226
PMB 30337
Denver, Colorado 80202-1559 US
Gear Hungry ©2021 Privacy policy Affiliate Disclosure
DMCA.com Protection Status