Classic Martini
The king of cocktails—minimalist, elegant and endlessly riffed—balancing aromatic gin with a restrained measure of vermouth.
36%
ABV
medium
Difficulty
martini
Glass
History & Heritage
“A direct descendant of the 1880s Martinez and Marguerite recipes, the Martini first appeared in print around 1904 as a 2:1 mix of gin and vermouth with bitters. Through the 1910s and Jazz Age it steadily dried out, matching America’s taste for sharper drinks. By the 1950s it symbolized mid‑century sophistication—from the three‑Martini lunch to James Bond—cementing its place as the benchmark for spirit‑forward cocktails.”
Ingredients
Quality ingredients make all the difference. Each component plays a crucial role.
Method
Technique transforms ingredients into something extraordinary.
Chill a coupe or Nick & Nora glass
Add gin, vermouth and bitters to a mixing glass filled with ice
Stir briskly 20–30 seconds until glass is frosty
Strain into the chilled glass
Garnish with a lemon twist or skewer of olives
Glassware
Served up in a chilled martini glass
Garnish
3 olives on a pick, or express lemon oils and drop twist
Master's Tips
Professional insights to elevate your craft
Chill glassware, gin and vermouth for maximum bracing character
Adjust vermouth from 1:1 to bone-dry depending on preference
Always stir—shaking clouds the drink and over-dilutes
Flavor Journey
Every great cocktail tells a story through its flavors. Here's the sensory experience you can expect.
Sweet
out of 10
Sour
out of 10
Bitter
out of 10
Strong
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Variations & Riffs
Classic cocktails inspire countless variations. Here are some popular riffs on the Classic Martini.
50/50 Martini
Equal parts gin and dry vermouth with orange bitters for a lighter aperitif.
Changes
Perfect Martini
Splits the vermouth between dry and sweet for a richer profile.
Changes
Kangaroo (Vodka Martini)
Replaces gin with vodka for a neutral, ultra-clean take.
Changes
Vesper
James Bond's version with vodka and Lillet Blanc, shaken and served with a lemon twist.
Changes
More to Explore
If you enjoyed this cocktail, these similar creations might capture your interest.
Gibson
A dry gin martini garnished with cocktail onions—clean, crisp, and subtly savory.
Dirty Martini
The savory martini variation enriched with olive brine—salty, crisp, and bracing.
Clover Club
Pre-Prohibition gin sour colored with raspberry and crowned with a dry-shaken egg white foam.