Martinis are iconic. From the classic and timeless gin martini to the modern martinis in name only (looking at you espresso martini) there are few other glassware silhouettes that are as recognizable with a single glance. Shaken, stirred, dry, dirty, creamy, or fruity, there are a dozen types of martinis. So which martini team do you rep?
Types of Martinis
People have different ideas of what a martini even is. Purists are very specific about the martini, while some people take a more liberal view of what can be in this popular cocktail.
| Martini Type | Ingredients | Garnish |
| Classic martini | gin, dry vermouth | Spanish olive |
| Gibson martini | gin, dry vermouth | cocktail onion |
| Vodka martini | vodka, dry vermouth | Spanish olive |
| Dry martini | more gin/vodka, less vermouth | Spanish olive |
| Perfect martini | gin, dry vermouth, sweet vermouth | lemon twist |
| Wet martini | 2 parts gin, 1 part dry vermouth | Spanish olive |
| Dirty martini | gin/vodka, dry vermouth, olive brine | Spanish olive |
| 50/50 martini | equal parts gin & dry vermouth | Spanish olive |
| 50/50 martini | gin or vodka | Spanish olive |
| Filthy dirty martini | gin/vodka, dry vermouth, extra olive brine | Spanish olive |
| Vesper martini | gin, vodka, Lilet Blanc | Lemon peel |
| Reverse martini | 1 part gin/vodka, 2 parts dry vermouth | Spanish olive |
| Smoky martini | gin/vodka, scotch, dry vermouth | Spanish olive |
| Sweet vermouth martini | gin/vodka, sweet vermouth | Orange peel |
Modern Conceptualizations of Martinis
In modern times, some mixologists and cocktail drinkers have taken a slightly more broad-minded twist on the martini, while others believe anything shaken or stirred, strained, and served up in a chilled martini glass is a martini. This includes popular modern drinks, such as the cosmopolitan and the appletini, which classic martini purists would never dream of calling a martini.
Basic Rules of Martini Making
Regardless of whether you believe in the most original form of a classic martini or take a more liberal approach, there are some basic rules of good martini making.
Alcohol and Ingredients Used in Classic Martinis
- Classic martinis use London dry gin or vodka and dry vermouth.
- Classic martinis can contain anywhere from a splash of dry vermouth to up to half gin and half vermouth.
- The more vermouth that's used, the wetter the martini is. The less vermouth that's used, the drier it is.
Martini Size
- A classic martini or one made from straight spirits is 3 ounces.
- Martinis that contain other ingredients such as juices, coffee, or other mixers can be up to 5 ounces.
Glassware for Martinis
- Martinis are served in a classic martini glass, although stemless martini glasses and coupes are also fashionable and correct.
- The glass should be chilled, either by placing it in a chiller or freezer before making the drink or by filling it with ice and a splash of water and letting it sit as you make the drink.
Stirring Versus Shaking
There's a lot of debate about whether martinis should be stirred or shaken. Most experts agree to the following rules:
- If a martini contains only spirits (such as a classic martini or a vodka martini), it should be stirred in a mixing glass with ice for about one minute.
- If a martini contains fruit juices, it needs to be shaken in a cocktail shaker with ice for about 10 seconds to mix the ingredients properly.
Straining
Regardless of whether you stir or shake a martini, you need to strain it into the chilled cocktail glass. It is served up with no ice, although some people want the bartender to ease off on the strainer a bit so it contains slivers of ice.
Martini Garnish
Classically, a martini is garnished with an olive, but different martinis do have different garnishes.
Some martini garnishes for classic and modern martinis include the following:
- Spanish olive
- Stuffed olives, including with blue cheese or garlic
- Cocktail onion
- Citrus peel or ribbon
- Wedge or wheel of citrus
- Fresh fruit, such as apple slices or berries
Ask What the Cocktail Drinker Wants
With all this in mind, people can be quite specific about how they like their martini, what it contains, whether you shake or stir it, and how you garnish it. It's a cocktail that requires discussion before you make it, so always ask questions to ensure you're making the martini the drinker wants instead of the one that best suits your style.
9 Recipes for Popular Classic Martinis
Making a martini isn't difficult, and there are different martinis that you might want to learn about while you dip your toes in the martini multiverse.
There is the classic martini but beyond that, the sky's the limit! With a little skill, you'll soon be mixing up martinis in all sorts of flavors and coming up with your own winning combinations. Why not develop your own signature martini recipe to create your very own house recipe?
Classic Martini
The stirred martini is a classic cocktail. Once you've learned how to make a martini, you'll be able to have one whenever you want.
Ingredients
- 2½ ounces London dry gin
- ½ ounce dry vermouth
- Ice
- Spanish olive for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass.
- In a mixing glass, add ice, gin, and vermouth.
- Stir for about one minute.
- Strain into the chilled glass.
- Garnish with an olive.
Classic Vodka Martini
If you like vodka, you'll love the vodka martini. It's less aromatic and more neutrally flavored than a classic martini, but for many people, it's their go-to. Since vodka is the star, use the best vodka you can afford since there's nowhere for its flavors to hide.
Ingredients
- 2½ ounces premium vodka
- ½ ounce dry vermouth
- Ice
- Spanish olive for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass.
- In a mixing glass, add ice, vodka, and vermouth.
- Stir for about one minute.
- Strain into the chilled glass.
- Garnish with an olive.
Dirty Martini
Some folks like their martinis on the savory side, otherwise known as dirty; this means the brine from the olives is added to the drink, giving it a dirty, cloudy look.
Ingredients
- 2½ ounces London dry gin or premium vodka
- ½ ounce dry vermouth
- ¼ ounce olive juice
- Ice
- Stuffed olive for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, gin or vodka, and vermouth.
- Stir for about one minute.
- Add olive juice.
- Shake for 10 seconds.
- Strain into the chilled glass.
- Garnish with a stuffed olive.
Gibson
The Gibson is a twist on the classic martini. In fact, only the garnish changes.
Ingredients
- 2½ ounces London dry gin
- ½ ounce dry vermouth
- Ice
- Cocktail onion for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass.
- In a mixing glass, add ice, gin, and vermouth.
- Stir for about one minute.
- Strain into the chilled glass.
- Garnish with a cocktail onion.
Saketini
Why not try a little Japanese flair with your martini, by making it into a saketini? This tasty cocktail is a great drink to serve with Asian food or whenever you want a martini that pushes the envelope while holding onto its classic roots.
Ingredients
- 2½ ounces London dry gin or vodka
- ½ ounce sake
- Ice
- Lemon peel for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass.
- In a mixing glass, add ice, gin or vodka, and sake.
- Stir for about one minute.
- Strain into the chilled glass.
- Garnish with a lemon peel.
Sherrytini
Like the saketini, the Sherrytini is a twist on the classic. But in this case, the classic vodka martini gets a sweeter touch.
Ingredients
- 2½ ounces vodka
- ½ ounce fino Sherry
- Ice
- Orange peel for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass.
- In a mixing glass, add ice, vodka, and Sherry.
- Stir for about one minute.
- Strain into the chilled glass.
- Garnish with an orange peel.
Appletini
If you don't care for the stronger-tasting martini drinks, why not try a frillier version that's a little sweeter and a touch tart? The appletini might just be right up your alley with its sweet-tart flavors.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces vodka
- 2 ounces apple schnapps
- Ice
- Apple slice for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass.
- In a mixing glass, add ice, vodka, and apple schnapps.
- Stir for one minute.
- Strain into the chilled martini glass.
- Garnish with an apple slice.
Chocolate Martini
A chocolate martini might just be the perfect drink if you're craving chocolate and a cocktail at the same time. This simple drink can be whipped up in a matter of seconds, and it makes the perfect liquid dessert.
Ingredients
- 2½ ounces vanilla vodka
- ½ ounce crème de cacao
- Ice
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass.
- In a mixing glass, add ice, vodka, and crème de cacao.
- Stir rapidly to chill.
- Strain into the chilled glass.
Raspberry Lemon Drop Martini
This martini is definitely on the sweeter side, but with raspberry liqueur and simple syrup added, it's sweet and sour instead of cloying.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces raspberry vodka
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1½ ounce simple syrup
- Ice
- Fresh raspberries for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup, and Chambord.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into the chilled martini glass.
- Garnish with fresh raspberries.
More Martini-Style Cocktails
Whether you're a purist or prefer a more liberal interpretation of the martini, the following recipes are delicious and easy to make.
- Bailey's vodka martinis combine Irish cream liqueur and vodka to a tasty effect.
- Along with the appletini recipe above, you'll find plenty of sweet and tart apple martini recipes, including the caramel apple martini.
- The pomegranate martini makes use of a popular ingredient.
- Candy lovers rejoice! The Jolly Rancher martini is a grown-up version of a childhood favorite.
- If tea is your beverage of choice, then try an Earl Grey martini.
- The gin cucumber martini is a refreshing riff on the classic.
- The honeydew martini has a vibrant green color from the addition of Midori liqueur.
- Flavored vodkas have really opened up flavor possibilities for martinis, including the currant vodka martini.
- If you prefer a very shi-shi martini, then you'll love the French martini made with Chambord and Champagne.
- The lemon drop martini has become a modern classic.
- Taste the tropics with a coconut pineapple martini.
- It wouldn't be fall without pumpkin-spiced everything, including this pumpkin martini.
Raise a Glass to Your Favorite Martini
With more martini styles to choose from with each passing year, there's a sour, spirited, sweet, or succulent martini for everyone. Dabble in the land of the classics with gin and dry vermouth or get your buzz on in more ways than one with a kick of vodka and espresso. There's no wrong way to drink a martini.
