Dry Martini

A Dry Martini is a classic cocktail that is made with either gin or vodka, depending on preference, followed by a splash of dry vermouth. It’s then garnished with a lemon twist or a green olive. 

Whether sipped at a glamorous soirée or a quiet evening at home, there’s no question that the Dry Martini exudes an air of sophistication.

Revered for its simplicity and refined taste, a Dry Martin has a crisp, clean flavor, and is a favorite among discerning drinkers. As you might expect, it’s spirit-forward but when stirred and with just the right amount of dilution, it can also be a very smooth drinking cocktail.

A classic Dry Martini contains a ratio of 5 parts gin to 1 part dry vermouth but how much dry vermouth you should use in a Dry Martini is really down to personal taste. Some people like a little more, some people prefer a little less.

Your choice of garnish – a lemon twist or a green olive – will, of course, also influence the taste of your drink. Absolut Global Brand Ambassador and Bartender Ricardo ‘Rico’ Dynan prefers a lemon twist. “I love Lemon Zest because you get those fresh, fresh aromas – it’s super zesty,” he shares.

A Dry Martini is typically garnished with a Lemon Zest Twist or a Green Olive.

Rico’s personal favorite garnish for a Dry Martini is Lemon Zest. “I love Lemon Zest because you get those fresh, fresh aromas – (it’s) super zesty,” he says.

Use a Peeler to carefully remove a strip of Lemon Peel, avoiding the bitter white pith. Hold the Peel over your drink and gently twist it to release the aromatic oils before placing the Zest Twist into your Glass for a burst of Citrus flavor.

The exact origin of the Martini is unclear, but several theories suggest it originated in either Martinez or San Francisco, California, during the 1800s Gold Rush.

It’s believed that the Martini took on its recognizable form in the 1890s, combining London Dry Gin and Dry Vermouth at a 2:1 ratio. Just like today, the mixture was stirred in a Mixing Glass with Ice Cubes, but was also optionally enhanced with Orange or Aromatic Bitters, before being strained into a chilled Cocktail Glass.

Depending on your preference, a classic Dry Martini can be made with either Gin or Vodka although the original Martini was made with Gin.

The perfect dilution
When stirring the mixture in your Mixing Glass, Rico advises to “Stir until perfectly cold and perfectly diluted.” How do you know when it’s perfectly diluted? Give it a little taste on a Bar Spoon and if you like what you taste, then it’s the perfect dilution for you. 

Chill your Martini Glass
A well-chilled glass is a simple yet essential step in crafting the perfect Dry Martini, so be sure to chill your glassware in advance.

A classic Martini is made with Gin (or Vodka) and Vermouth. Any additional ingredients, such as Bitters, are used sparingly to add just a hint of flavor. So, with this in mind, we offer three variations of a Dry Martini:

Vodka Martini
Although Gin was used to make the first Martini and remains a popular choice today, Vodka has since become the preferred spirit for this classic cocktail.
Learn how to make a Vodka Martini.

Dirty Martini
If you love salty, savory flavors then the Dirty Martini is for you. The Dirty Martini is one of the most loved savory cocktails in the world. Similar to a Dry Martini but with the inclusion of Olive Brine and instead of Lemon Zest, it’s garnished with an Olive. Discover our Dirty Martini recipe.

Gibson Martini
The Gibson Martini is the same as a Dry Martini but substitutes the Lemon Zest garnish with a Cocktail Onion.
Here’s how to make a Gibson Martini.