Classic Martini

Enjoy the classic flavors of the classic martini, made with this easy recipe with vodka or gin.

A Classic Martini Recipe to Enjoy Anytime

When’s the perfect time to enjoy a classic martini? After dinner, before you go out… or right after a business meeting, Mad Men-style? Okay, let’s be real, those dudes would’ve been enjoying several martinis during the meeting. (And then take a nap afterward. In the middle of the day.) Lol. In my book, you’re clear to enjoy today’s classic martini, anytime. 🙂 So are you ready to shake this? Let’s do it!

Everything You Need to Make the Perfect Classic Martini

Think you need a bajillion cocktail tools to make the perfect classic martini? Think again. You can pick up a cocktail shaker set like this one, a few bottles of your favorite liquor accoutrements, and you’re good to go. See for yourself:

• Vodka or Gin – take your pick
• Dry Vermouth
• Optional: Orange or Aromatic Bitters
• Ice
• Lemons to make a lemon twist, or olives and a skewer to make an olive skewer
• Cocktail Shaker Set

What is a Classic Martini?

A classic martini is an alcohol-based cocktail made with vodka or gin, dry vermouth, and sometimes, an optional dash of optional orange or aromatic bitters. Vodka or gin, dry vermouth and the optional component are added to a cocktail shaker filled with ice, then strained into a martini glass. This martini is usually topped with a lemon twist or olives.

How to Make a Classic Martini

Here, we’ll go into depth with exactly how to make a classic martini. Ready? Let’s shake this!

Using a jigger, measure out gin or vodka and dry vermouth into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.

Optionally, add in a dash of orange or aromatic bitters.

Strain into a martini glass.

Top with a lemon twist or a skewer of olives.

Sip and enjoy!

Tell me the Difference between a Classic Gin Martini, a Classic Vodka Martini, and a Classic Dirty Martini

There’s just a small difference between two of these martini types, and a bigger difference between the first two and the last one. Here goes:

Classic Gin Martini

• Made with gin and dry vermouth
• Shaken with ice
• Optionally, adding in a dash of orange or aromatic bitters

Classic Vodka Martini

• Made with vodka and dry vermouth
• Shaken with ice
• Optionally, adding in a dash of orange or aromatic bitters

Classic Dirty Martini

• Made with gin or vodka, olive juice or brine, and dry vermouth
• Shaken with ice

Classic Gin Martini vs. Classic Vodka Martini

The only difference is in the type of alcohol used: the classic gin martini uses gin, while the classic vodka martini uses vodka.

If you’re looking for more gin cocktails to enjoy, check out the timeless Gibson Cocktail Drink.

Gin Martini & Vodka Martini vs. Dirty Martini

Now that you know that the Classic Gin Martini and Classic Vodka Martini are essentially the same cocktail, but differ just in the one kind of alcohol used (gin or vodka), we can move onto the Classic Dirty Martini. A dirty martini is made with gin or vodka, dry vermouth, and olive brine or juice. The olive brine or juice represent the “dirty” component of the martini. A classic martini features a clear liquid, while the dirty martini is cloudy from the olive brine or juice, hence the name. Sooo… why is the classic martini in these photos a bit cloudy? I had just shaken the sucker and it was super, duper chilled—so it’s fogging up the martini glass and only appearing cloudy. 😉

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• Last Word Cocktail
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• Dirty Martini
• Hot and Dirty Martini
• Chocolate Espresso Martini
• Gimlet Cocktail Recipe
• How to Make a Greyhound Drink
• BEST Brown Derby Cocktail Recipe
• Bee’s Knees Cocktail
• 15 Best Martini Recipes

Tools You Need

• Cocktail shaker set
• Large martini glasses – make double the recipe to fill one of these glasses.
• stainless steel skewers

Shake, Sip and Enjoy

Having fun shaking up all these cocktails with me? 🙂 Be sure to let me know if you’d like me to make a specific cocktail you have in mind. 😉 ‘Til then, we’ll virtually shake, sip and enjoy these cocktails together.

Sending you all my love and maybe even a dove, xo Demeter ❤️

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