Classic and classy, a martini is one of our favorite cocktails to make at home. This 2-ingredient recipe uses gin and dry vermouth. We love it with a twist!
This classic martini recipe was one of the first cocktails Jack learned to make at home. It entered our rotation years ago, back when we had regular poker nights with a group of friends. I would always lose, but I still joined in every time for the company—and the drinks.
Jack thinks (and he’s convinced me too) that a martini is a cocktail that’s actually best made at home. You only need 2 ingredients—gin and dry vermouth—and you have complete control over the ratios. We both like ours dry, which is how I’ve written the recipe below, but I’ve also included notes on adapting it to make a wet martini. Try it a few times, and you’ll quickly find a balance you love.
Martini Ingredients
A classic martini contains two ingredients:
- Gin – The bottle of gin you choose will determine the flavor profile of your cocktail. If you have a favorite brand, definitely reach for it here. If you’re not sure where to start, we like Hendrick’s (notes of citrus and cucumber) and St. George Botanivore (more herbaceous and floral).
- Dry Vermouth – Dry vermouth is a type of fortified white wine. Compared to sweet vermouth, which is used in classic cocktails like the Manhattan, dry vermouth has a low sugar content. Botanicals like spices, rose, and orange bark give it an aromatic flavor. We like Dolin dry vermouth.
What about vodka? Gin is the traditional main alcohol here, but if you prefer vodka, feel free to make a vodka martini instead. Just replace the gin with vodka. It’ll give this cocktail a cleaner taste. I personally like the gin version, but you do you!
Find the complete recipe with measurements below.
Dry Martini vs Wet: The Gin to Vermouth Ratio
We call for 5 parts gin to 1 part vermouth in this recipe, which decidedly makes it a dry martini. To make it slightly less strong and bring out the vermouth’s flavor, you can use a lower ratio of gin to vermouth. 2:1 is classic for a wet martini, but you could even go down to 1:1 if you like.
The only way to figure out what you consider a “perfect martini” is to experiment—keep tweaking the ratios until you find a balance you love!
How to Make a Martini
This recipe couldn’t be simpler to make:
- Combine the gin, vermouth, and a few ice cubes in a mixing glass. Stir until chilled.
- Strain into a chilled martini glass. (Chill the cocktail glass by placing some ice inside it and stirring gently until condensation forms on the outside. Discard the ice before adding the drink.)
- To add a twist, twist a strip of lemon peel over the glass, then drop it into the cocktail.
That’s it!
Shaken or Stirred?
Purists will tell you that a martini should be stirred, not shaken. Shaking not only dilutes the drink, but it gives it a less smooth texture and cloudy appearance too. We call for stirring in this recipe to give you the best classic results.
That said, you might have seen James Bond drink a shaken martini before…and Jack likes them too. Shards of ice can form in the drink when it’s shaken, which he just thinks is fun. So if you love using your cocktail shaker, there’s no reason you shouldn’t break it out for this drink.
More Classic Cocktail Recipes
If you love this martini recipe, try one of these classic cocktails next:
Classic Martini
Ingredients
- 2½ ounces gin
- ½ ounce dry vermouth
- Ice
- Lemon twist, for garnish
Instructions
- Add the gin, vermouth, and a few ice cubes to a mixing glass. Stir until chilled.
- Strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a lemon twist and serve.
