Martini Recipes

Traditional martinis are prepared with gin and vermouth in various proportions, according to taste.

Many prefer to use vodka, though, because it is smoother, has less bite. And the new flavored vodkas put a whole new spin on the taste of a martini.

Experiment to find your perfect martini recipe.

Basic Martinis

Classic Martini
(2-to-1)
1 1/2 oz. Gin or Vodka
3/4 oz. Dry Vermouth

Dry Martini (The New Classic Martini)
(5-to-1)
1 2/3 oz. Gin or Vodka
1/3 oz. Dry Vermouth

Extra Dry Martini
(8-to-1)
2 oz. Gin or Vodka
1/4 oz. Dry Vermouth

Sweet Martini
1 oz. Gin or Vodka
1 oz. Sweet Vermouth

Medium Martini
1 1/2 oz. Gin or Vodka
1/2 oz. Dry Vermouth
1/2 oz. Sweet Vermouth

• For all of the recipes above: Shake with cracked ice and strain into a martini glass. Serve with a twist of lemon or olive(s).
• For a very dry martini, some simply swirl a little dry vermouth 'round a chilled martini glass, discard any extra, and add chilled vodka or gin. (It reminds me of an old joke about the extra-dry martini: Place your thumb over the top of the vermouth bottle and wave it over the gin.)

The following recipes are prepared the same way, but the garnish may be different:

Dirty Martini
2 1/2 oz Gin or Vodka
1/2 oz. Extra Dry Vermouth
1 teaspoon juice/brine from the olive jar
Serve with olives

Fino Martini
2 oz. Gin or Vodka
2 teaspoons Fino Sherry
Serve with a twist of lemon

Paisley Martini
2 oz. Gin or Vodka
1/2 oz. Dry Vermouth
1 teaspoon Scotch
Serve over ice with a twist of lemon

Emerald Martini
1 1/2 oz. Gin or Vodka
1/2 oz. Extra Dry Vermouth
Dash of Chartreuse Green Liqueur
Serve with a twist of orange

French Martini
1 1/2 oz. Vodka
1 oz. Black Raspberry Liqueur
1/2 oz. dry vermouth or pineapple juice
"Dessert" Martinis, the new favorites

Vanilla Martini
1 vanilla bean
1/4 ounce vanilla syrup
2 1/2 ounces vanilla vodka
1/4 ounce dry vermouth

Muddle the vanilla bean and syrup in a mixing glass. Add the vodka and vermouth. Shake with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Cherry Martini (Cherritini)
1 ounce cherry vodka
1 ounce cherry schnapps
Splash of 7-Up, Sprite or grapefruit soda
1 cherry

Pour the vodka, schnapps and soda into a shaker with ice and shake well. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Drop a cherry to the bottom of the glass and serve.

Godiva Chocolate Martini (Chocotini)
I think this is the best chocolate martini recipe, chocolaty but not overpoweringly so; it's still a martini.

2 ounces vodka
1 ounce dark crème de cacao
1/2 ounce chocolate liqueur (Godiva is recommended)
1 teaspoon chocolate syrup

Pour all ingredients into a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. If you like, you can serve it with a little chocolate (from a chocolate bar) grated on top or a swirl of chocolate syrup (from a very small nozzle) but it's not necessary.

Tips For Making a Great Martini:

• First, all the ingredients, glasses and shakers should be very cold.
• Use only fresh, cracked ice made from soft or bottled water. (Crushed ice will melt too fast and water down your drink.) Avoid over-shaking for the same reason.
• Use only glass or stainless steel shakers.
• Always measure accurately.

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