Martini Recipe (Gin or Vodka, Dry to Dirty)

The Martini is the cleanest test of a bartender's touch: two ingredients, ice, and a garnish. Everything comes down to the spirit-to-vermouth ratio and how cold you get the drink. Below is a reliable house recipe plus a ratio chart so you can dial it from a soft, wet pour to a whisper-dry sip or a savory dirty version.

How to nail the texture: stir, don't shake, for a classic Martini. Stirring keeps the drink silky and crystal clear; shaking chills faster but bruises it with ice shards and air, leaving it cloudy. Shake only if you want it icy and slightly diluted. For a dirty Martini, add 0.5 oz olive brine before stirring, then garnish with olives.

Every Martini Variation Worth Knowing

'Dry' and 'wet' describe the vermouth share: a wet Martini keeps the vermouth close to the original 1:1 to 2:1 pours of the early twentieth century, while a dry one pulls it back toward a rinse. A 'perfect' Martini splits the vermouth equally between dry and sweet for a rounder, bittersweet edge, and a 'dirty' one adds olive brine. Swap the garnish for a cocktail onion and the same drink becomes a Gibson.

• Wet Martini: equal parts or close to it (1:1 to 2:1 gin to vermouth)
• Standard dry: roughly 4:1 gin to vermouth
• Extra dry: a rinse of vermouth, or even just a misted glass
• Perfect: half dry vermouth, half sweet vermouth
• Dirty: add 10–15 ml olive brine
• Gibson: swap the olive or twist for a cocktail onion
• Vodka Martini: replace the gin with vodka for a cleaner, less botanical drink

Want to stray further from the classic? The Vesper Martini combines gin, vodka and Lillet Blanc, and the Lemon Drop Martini takes the vodka version citrus-sweet.

• Keep vermouth in the fridge after opening. It is a wine and oxidizes within weeks, dulling your Martini.
• Chill the glass first. A warm glass is the fastest way to a flat, tepid drink.
• For a bone-dry Martini, rinse the chilled glass with vermouth, discard it, then strain in the cold spirit.
• Use a lemon twist for brightness or olives for a savory, saline edge. Swap in a cocktail onion and it becomes a Gibson.
• Freeze the gin or vodka for extra chill without over-diluting the drink.

Gin or vodka, which is correct?

Both are classic. Gin gives the traditional botanical, herbal backbone; vodka is smoother and more neutral, letting the vermouth and garnish show. Use whichever you prefer.

What does 'dry' mean in a Martini?

Dry refers to less vermouth, not the type of spirit. A dry Martini uses about a 5:1 spirit-to-vermouth ratio; extra dry uses barely a rinse of vermouth.

Should I stir or shake?

Stir for a clear, silky classic Martini. Shake only if you want it colder, frostier, and slightly diluted. Shaking will make it look cloudy.

How do I make it dirty?

Add olive brine before stirring, about 0.25 oz for lightly dirty and 0.5 oz or more for extra dirty, then garnish with olives.

What glass should I use?

A chilled Martini (cocktail) glass or a coupe. The stem keeps your hand off the bowl so the drink stays cold.

Responsible drinking: a Martini is nearly all spirit, so it is stronger than it tastes and one is plenty. Sip slowly, keep water nearby, and never drink and drive. You must be of legal drinking age (21+ in the US).

See every classic build side by side on our cocktail ratios chart.