Martini (Dry)

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Author: yumenjoy
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Overall Rating: 4.8 / 5.0
Martini (Dry)
⏱️ cook time 5 minutes
🍽️ servings 2
⚡ Difficulty easy

intro

Crisp, ice-cold, and perfectly balanced, the classic dry martini is a sophisticated stirred gin cocktail with subtle herbal notes, ideal for slow, elegant sipping.

Ingredients

London Dry Gin 180 ml
Dry Vermouth 10 ml
Large dense ice cubes 300 g
Pimento-stuffed green olives 2 pieces
Lemon peel (for optional twist garnish) 2 strips (5 cm length each)

Steps

1

Chill serving glasses

Place two 180 ml (6 oz) martini coupe glasses in the freezer for 3 full minutes to chill thoroughly, ensuring the drink stays cold longer after pouring. Avoid chilling glasses with ice, as melted ice leaves residual water that dilutes the finished cocktail.

Step 1
step1：Chill serving glasses
2

Measure core ingredients

Use a dual-sided jigger with marked measurements to pour 180 ml London Dry Gin and 10 ml dry vermouth directly into a clean 500 ml glass mixing glass. Do not add ice at this stage to prevent premature dilution before stirring.

Step 2
step2：Measure core ingredients
3

Add ice to mixture

Add 300 grams of large, dense ice cubes to the mixing glass with the measured spirits. Large ice cubes melt 30% slower than crushed ice, preventing over-dilution that would water down the martini’s bold, botanical flavor.

Step 3
step3：Add ice to mixture
4

Stir to chill properly

Insert a long, twisted bar spoon into the mixing glass, then stir the ice and spirit mixture slowly in a consistent circular motion for 25 full seconds, until the outside of the mixing glass feels frosty and reaches 4°C (39°F). Do not shake, as this aerates the spirit and creates a cloudy, harsh texture.

Step 4
step4：Stir to chill properly
5

Strain into chilled glasses

Fit a Hawthorne strainer tightly over the mouth of the mixing glass, then pour the chilled martini evenly between the two pre-chilled coupe glasses, leaving 1 cm of headspace at the top of each glass to prevent spills. The strainer will catch small ice shards to keep the drink perfectly clear.

Step 5
step5：Strain into chilled glasses
6

Garnish and serve immediately

Skewer one pimento-stuffed green olive on a 10 cm metal cocktail pick and rest it across the rim of each glass, or express a 5 cm lemon twist over the drink surface to release citrus oils, rub the twist along the glass rim, then rest it on the drink edge. Serve right away, before the drink warms above 7°C (45°F).

Step 6
step6：Garnish and serve immediately

Tips

1.For an extra-dry martini, skip adding vermouth directly to the mix: rinse the inside of the chilled mixing glass with 5 ml vermouth, pour out all excess, then add gin before stirring for just a faint herbal note.
2.Always stir, never shake, a classic dry martini: shaking breaks ice into tiny shards that over-dilute the drink and create a cloudy, bubbly texture instead of the signature silky, crystal-clear finish.
3.Dry vermouth is a fortified wine, not a shelf-stable spirit: store opened bottles in the refrigerator, and discard any vermouth older than 3 months, as it will turn sour and ruin the martini’s balanced flavor.

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Martini (Dry):Frequently Asked Questions

1.Why is a classic dry martini stirred instead of shaken? ▾
Stirring rather than shaking keeps the martini perfectly crystal-clear, silky, and properly diluted without over-aerating the spirit. Shaking chips ice into tiny shards that make the drink cloudy, water it down too quickly, and muddle the bright, crisp herbal notes of London Dry Gin that make this cocktail so elegant. Stir 20 to 30 seconds with large dense ice for ideal texture.
2.What makes a martini “dry” compared to other martini variations? ▾
The “dry” label refers to the ratio of dry vermouth to gin. A classic dry martini uses roughly 5 to 6 parts London Dry Gin to 1 part dry vermouth, adding a subtle herbal backbone without overpowering the gin’s botanicals. An extra-dry martini uses far less vermouth—often just a quick glass rinse or single spritz—to leave only the faintest hint of its flavor.
3.Can I use vodka instead of gin to make a classic dry martini? ▾
The traditional classic dry martini is built on London Dry Gin, but you can absolutely swap for vodka if you prefer a more neutral, less botanically forward drink—just note that variation is technically a vodka martini. If you swap, use a premium smooth vodka, keep the standard vermouth ratio, and stir just as long to hit that perfect ice-cold temperature.
4.Why does the recipe call for large, dense ice cubes instead of regular small ice? ▾
Large, dense ice cubes melt far slower than small, thin ice cubes or crushed ice, so you get the ideal amount of dilution as you stir without over-watering your martini before your first sip. They also chill the spirit evenly, for a consistent, crisp, ice-cold drink from start to finish instead of a watery, lukewarm letdown halfway through.
5.Do I have to garnish with olives, or is a lemon twist acceptable? ▾
Both garnishes are totally classic, so pick whichever matches your flavor preference! Briny pimento-stuffed green olives add a salty, savory kick that pairs beautifully with herbal gin and dry vermouth, while a twisted lemon peel—expressed over the drink to release bright citrus oils—adds a zesty, aromatic finish without brininess. Skip maraschino cherries, as those are for whiskey cocktails like Manhattans.
6.Do I need to chill my martini glass before pouring the drink? ▾
For the best possible experience, your martini glass should be ice-cold before you pour—no exceptions. Pop it in the freezer for at least 10 minutes before mixing, or fill it with ice water while you stir your cocktail, dumping the water right before straining. This prevents the drink from warming instantly on contact, keeping it crisp longer.
7.How do I know if I’m using too much vermouth in my dry martini? ▾
A good rule of thumb for a balanced classic dry martini is no more than ½ ounce of dry vermouth per 2 ½ ounces of London Dry Gin, hitting that ideal 5:1 ratio. More than that will overpower the gin’s delicate botanical notes and make the drink taste unbalanced, like lightly herbed wine. Always use fresh vermouth, too—oxidized, old vermouth will ruin even a perfectly ratioed drink.
8.Is there a proper way to add the olive garnish for a classic martini? ▾
For a classic presentation, skewer 1 to 3 pimento-stuffed green olives on a cocktail pick and rest it across the top of the poured martini, or drop it gently into the drink. Skip adding olive brine unless you specifically want a dirty martini—brine adds a cloudy, salty tang that is tasty, but strays from the clean, crisp profile of a classic dry martini.
9.How do I know when I’ve stirred my martini long enough? ▾
Aim to stir for 25 to 30 seconds with your large dense ice cubes, which brings the drink down to a frosty 40 to 45°F and adds just the right amount of dilution (roughly 20% melted ice water) to soften the gin’s sharp edge without making it watery. You’ll know it’s ready when the outside of your mixing glass feels frosty to the touch.

Comments (14)

2 hours ago

OMG this is exactly the classic dry martini I’ve been trying to nail for months! So crisp, not too heavy, perfect for pre-dinner drinks when we have friends over. 5 minute prep is a total game changer for last minute happy hours.

30 minutes ago

Agreed! I made these for my roommate’s birthday pregame last weekend and they were gone in 10 minutes flat. So easy to throw together even when you’re already running late.

yesterday

Quick question—can I make a big batch of these for my book club potluck this weekend? I don’t want to be stuck shaking drinks the whole time people are over!

2 hours ago

I did this for my holiday party last month! Mixed a big pitcher of the gin and vermouth, kept it ice cold in the fridge, and poured over fresh ice when people arrived. Worked like a charm!

30 minutes ago

Great question! You can absolutely pre-batch the gin and dry vermouth in a sealed pitcher and keep it chilled in the fridge for up to 3 days. Skip pre-adding ice though, it’ll dilute the drink too much! Stir with ice right before serving for the best texture.

3 days ago

SO good! My partner and I make these every date night now instead of going out for overpriced cocktails downtown. We love ours with extra olives, chef’s kiss.

5 days ago

Tried this for guy’s night last weekend and everyone was begging for the recipe! Who knew a classic martini was this easy? I used London dry gin like the recipe said and it was perfect.

3 days ago

Pro tip: throw a little blue cheese in the olives if you’re feeling fancy, the guys at my poker night lost their minds over that add-on.

1 week ago

This is my go-to martini recipe now, but first time I made it I think I added too much vermouth? It was a little too herbal for my taste. Still good though!

5 days ago

I’m an old school martini guy, I just swirl the vermouth in the glass and dump it out before adding the cold gin if I want it extra dry! Game changer.

3 days ago

Thanks for the feedback! If you prefer an extra-dry martini, you can cut the vermouth amount in half or even just rinse the glass with vermouth like Ron mentioned, adjusting to your taste is half the fun!

2 weeks ago

Made these for my backyard BBQ last weekend and they were such a hit! Even my friends who usually only drink beer tried one and loved it. Will definitely be making again.

2 days ago

Wait, I’m not a huge gin person—can I swap in vodka for this without messing it up? I love a good vodka martini but don’t want to ruin the balance.

yesterday

I did vodka instead of gin last time I made these and it was amazing! Just make sure it’s a good quality smooth vodka, no cheap stuff that tastes like rubbing alcohol.

2 hours ago

Absolutely! A vodka martini is a classic variation of this recipe. Swap the gin for your favorite premium vodka, follow the same stirring and serving steps, and it’ll turn out perfectly. A lemon twist works especially well with vodka martinis if you aren’t an olive fan!

30 minutes ago

Game changer! I used to think martinis were stuffy old people drinks but this is so refreshing and easy to make. I’ve been making one after work all week to unwind. 10/10.

5 minutes ago

Right?! I used to order cosmos every time I went out until I tried this, now I’m a total martini convert too.

5 minutes ago

Wait the recipe says stir, but I always see people shake martinis in movies! Does shaking actually make a difference or is it just for show?

2 minutes ago

Shaking makes it colder faster but it also bruises the gin and makes it a little cloudy, plus it dilutes it more. Stirring is the move for a smooth, clear classic martini, trust me.

just now

Great question! Stirring is the traditional method for a classic dry martini because it keeps the drink silky, clear, and perfectly diluted without aerating the spirit too much. Shaking works too if you prefer an extra-cold, slightly lighter textured drink—there’s no wrong way if you enjoy it, but stirring gives you that iconic classic profile!

3 days ago

SO easy and so fancy! I made these for my sister’s birthday dinner and everyone thought I hired a bartender. Worth every penny to make at home, way cheaper than the bar.

1 week ago

Perfect ratio! I’ve been messing up martini ratios for years, this 6:1 gin to vermouth is exactly what I was missing. I do a lemon twist instead of olives and it’s chef’s kiss.

5 days ago

So glad the ratio works for you! The lemon twist is such a bright, zesty alternative to olives, it’s one of our favorite garnish swaps too.

2 days ago

I added these to my weekly meal prep rotation for Friday night wind downs! I pre-measure the gin and vermouth into little mason jars so I just have to pour over ice and add olives after a long week. Total lifesaver.

yesterday

That mason jar hack is genius! I’m stealing that for my next camping trip, no need to pack a whole cocktail shaker.

yesterday

Took 5 minutes exactly like the recipe said! Tasted just like the martinis I order at my favorite steakhouse. No fancy equipment needed, just a stirrer and a glass, can’t beat that.

2 weeks ago

Brought a pitcher of these to my neighborhood potluck last week and I’m pretty sure I was the most popular person there! Everyone kept asking where I got the recipe, I sent them all this link. So good!

1 week ago

That makes our day to hear! So glad these were a hit at your neighborhood potluck—nothing beats a classic cocktail that works for every kind of gathering.