Possibly one of the world's most famous cocktails, the classic martini contains only two ingredients. Synonymous with James Bond, the martini has now transformed into a variety of different drinks from girl's night out fave pornstar martini to the perfect late night espresso martini. And whether you like it with vodka or gin, shaken or stirred, the martini certainly divides cocktail drinkers.
No one really knows where the martini actually originated from with stories ranging from its creation in a San Fransisco bar for a worker needing a pick-me-up on his way to Martinez, to being invented inside New York city's Knickerbocker Hotel. Some also think it was named after Martini & Rossi vermouth in the mid-1800s.
What's is a martini?
A classic martini compromises of just TWO ingredients - gin or vodka, and vermouth. It's then often garnished with an olive, or lemon peel (or both). Ratio wise, some people go 2:1, but I prefer to go heavy on the main spirit, with just a touch of vermouth - more likely at a ratio of 60ml of vodka or gin, to 15ml of vermouth (a tablespoon).
Shaken, or stirred?
James Bond famously asks for his martini 'shaken, not stirred,' and now, I'm not here to tell James Bond he's wrong... but he's wrong.
As a martini drinker, I wouldn't ever shake my martini, it just unnecessarily dilutes it. In fact, any cocktail that contains just alcohol should 👏 not 👏 be 👏 shaken. Instead, I'd give it a good stir for about 30 seconds.
How to make a Pornstar Martini:
A classic Pornstar Martini swaps out your regular spirit for vanilla vodka and your vermouth for Passoã, a passionfruit liquuer. It's then served with a shot of Prosecco or Champagne and a passionfruit halve on top.
How to make an espresso martini:
For the night-time classic, keep your gin, and swap out your vermouth for Kahlúa coffee liqueur and an added 30ml shot of espresso. This cocktail should be shaken.
What is a dirty martini?
A dirty martini is a classic martini with added olive brine. Use the recipe below and add a further 20ml of olive brine and serve with green olives.
