The truth of the matter is that a real Martini is simply a couple ounces of ice-cold gin (or vodka if gin isn’t your thing) your bartender serves you with a dash of vermouth. Some people like more or less vermouth than others (or none at all), and some people prefer an olive or a twist of lemon or even a pearl onion for a garnish.
The All-American Martini
2-1/2 oz. Glacier Vodka
Dash Dry Vermouth
Stir with ice. Strain into a martini glass. Garnish with two Olives skewered by an American Flag toothpick.
Angel Martini
2-1/2 oz. Ketel One Vodka
1/2 oz. Frangelico
Shake with ice. Strain into a chilled martini glass.
A little Italy and a littler Netherlands. (This one was invented at the Bowery Bar of New York, New York.)
Black Magic Martini
1-1/2 oz. Jägermeister
1-1/2 oz. Vodka
Shake with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass.
Black Tie Martini
1-1/2 oz. SKYY Vodka
Splash Campari
Splash Chivas
2 Cocktail Onions
1 Black Olive
Shake with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass.
Blue Goose Martini
2 oz. Hpnotiq
1 oz. Grey Goose Vodka
Splash Pineapple Juice
Shake well. Garnish with a Pineapple Wedge.
Blue SKYY Martini
2-1/2 oz. SKYY Vodka
Splash Blue Curaçao
Stir with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass.
Bootlegger Martini
2 oz. Bombay Gin
1/4 oz. Southern Comfort
Stir gently with ice; serve straight up or over ice. Garnish with a Lemon Twist.
Created at the Martini Bar at the Chianti Restaurant in Houston, Texas.
Dry Victoria Martini
3 oz. Bombay Sapphire Gin
1 oz. Martini & Rossi Extra Dry Vermouth
1 or 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
Shake or stir. Serve in a classic martini glass. Garnish with 1 Cocktail Olive and a Twist of Lemon.
The Engaging Martini
2 oz. Finlandia Vodka
Dash Dry Vermouth
2 Olives
Diamond Ring
Stir Vodka and Vermouth with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a pair of Olives and a One-Carat Diamond Engagement Ring.
Also known as The Most Expensive Martini, the Oak Bar in Boston has a version that includes dinner for two and a hotel suite stocked with champagne, chocolates, and flowers for just $12,750. The chunk of ice in her drink will seal the deal.
“In and Out” Martini
1/4 oz. Dry Vermouth
2 oz. Gin or Vodka
Garnish with Lemon Twist or an Olive
Fill shaker glass with ice and add Vermouth. Swirl ice around in glass and pour out. Add Gin/Vodka and shake vigorously. Pour into a cocktail glass.
From Patrick Ford, Smith & Wollensky, New York, NY
Jersey Lightning Martini
2 oz. Laird’s Applejack Brandy
1 oz. Sweet Vermouth
3/4 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
Shake with ice. Strain into a chilled martini glass.
Kremlin Martini
2 oz. Smirnoff Vodka
1-1/2 oz. Crème de Cacao
1-1/2 oz. Half & Half
Shake well with ice. Strain into a chilled martini glass.
Lavender Orchid
1 oz. Tanqueray No. Ten
1/4 oz. Chambord
1 oz. Sour Mix
splash Ginger Ale
1 Orchid
In a shaker with ice, add Tanqueray, Chambord, and Sour Mix. Shake gently and strain into a martini glass and top with Ginger Ale. Decorate with a floating Orchid.
Martini avec Moi
2 oz. Absente
1-1/2 oz. Remy Martin Grand Cru VS Cognac
3/4 oz. Lillet Blanc
Splash Crème de Cassis
Shake ingredients until freezing cold and pour into a martini glass. Garnish with a Lemon Twist.
Mayflower Martini
2 oz. Plymouth Gin
1 oz. French Vermouth
Dash Angostura Bitters
Orange or Lemon Twist
Shake with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass.
This drink is based on Thomas Stuart’s original recipe. Modern tastes may prefer a drier version with less Vermouth; an Orange rather than a Lemon Twist is also good.
Mystique Martini
2 oz. Smirnoff Vodka
Dash Green Chartreuse
Chill, strain, and garnish with a Lemon or Lime Twist.
Purple Hooter Martini
1-/4 oz. Chambord
1-1/4 oz. Vodka
1/4 oz. Sour Mix
1/4 oz. Lemon-Lime Soda
Combine ingredients, except Soda, into a shaker filled with ice. Shake thoroughly and pour into a martini glass. Top with Lemon-Lime Soda.
It’s not all that different from a Purple Hooter shot, but it looks classier in a martini glass.
Stoli Blue-Tini
1-1/2 oz. Stoli Blueberi
1-1/2 oz. Stoli Vanil
Stir with ice. Strain into a martini glass. Garnish with Blueberries.
Thrilla in Vanilla
2 oz. Sobieski Vanilla Vodka
1/2 oz. DeKuyper Peach Schnapps
Shake with ice and strain into a martini glass.
Created by L. Saccone, Basking Ridge, NJ.
Topaz Martini
1-3/4 oz. Bacardi Limón
1/4 oz. Martini & Rossi Extra Dry Vermouth
Splash Blue Curaçao
Stir in a cocktail glass. Strain and serve straight up or on the rocks. Add a Lemon Twist or Olives.
Invented at the Heart and Soul in San Francisco, California.
Trinity Martini
1 oz. Bombay Gin
1/2 oz. Sweet Vermouth
1/2 oz. Dry Vermouth
Stir in a cocktail glass. Strain and serve straight up or on the rocks. Add a Lemon Twist or Olives.
This cocktail is also known as the Trio Plaza Martini.