The Vodka Martini (2024)

How To Make A Vodka Martini

“There are already too many rules to remember in life, so your Martini shouldn’t come with a set of instructions as well.” It’s a somewhat surprising, but refreshing perspective coming from Alessandro Palazzi, head bartender at Dukes Hotel, a London co*cktail institution. This intimate bar is tucked away off a London side street with a slight air of exclusivity, and a “smart casual” dress code. However, as you sink comfortably into your lounge chair, Palazzi and his staff are quick to make you feel right at home.

Palazzi is a charming Italian gentleman who has been working in bars all his life, and he has certainly mastered the art of the Martini. Customers visit Dukes Hotel both for the exceptional level of hospitality and for the exquisitely prepared Martinis, crafted table-side on an elegant bar cart. Although he, and many bartenders and enthusiasts alike, hold strong opinions on what makes a true Martini, Palazzi will not turn up his nose if you prefer your beverage a different way — like, say, with vodka instead of the traditional gin.

“If you want to shake it, go right ahead! If you prefer it with a splash of bitters and a twist of Amalfi lemon, then enjoy,” says Palazzi. “Many of these variations may not fit the mold of what’s classically thought to be a Martini, but if you love it a certain way, that’s what makes it the most memorable and perfect drink of all.” If you fancy yourself a Vodka Martini enthusiast, know that you’re not alone. This drink holds a well-earned spot on the 50 most popular co*cktails in the world. Check out the other 49 that made the cut.

The Best Martini Ingredients:

Not a vodka drinker? Here's our gin Martini recipe.

Table Of Contents

  • The Recipe
  • VIDEO: How To Make A Vodka Martini
  • Vodka Martini FAQ
  • Vodka Martini Variations

Vodka Martini Ingredients

  • 2 ½ ounces vodka
  • ½ ounce dry vermouth
  • Lemon twist or olives

Vodka Martini Directions

  1. Combine vodka and vermouth in a mixing glass.
  2. Stir with ice until chilled.
  3. Strain into a chilled coupe or Martini glass.
  4. Gently express a lemon peel over the top of the drink, then garnish with the lemon zest.

Rate This Recipe:

Yield: 1
Calories: 166
Updated: 2024-04-22

Listen To Our co*cktail College Vodka Martini Podcast

Vodka Martini Recipe Video

Vodka Martini FAQ

Is a Martini just vodka?

No, a Martini is not just vodka. It’s a common misconception that all Martinis are simply chilled vodka served up — traditionally, a Martini is made with vodka and dry vermouth.

What is a vodka Martini without vermouth called?

A vodka Martini without vermouth is called a bone-dry Martini.

What is a bruised Martini?

A bruised Martini is a Martini that has been over-shaken. Overshaking can splinter the ice, causing slivers of ice and oxygen to rise to the surface of the co*cktail once poured, which makes the drink appear cloudy or murky when it should appear clear.

Vodka Martini Variations To Try:

  • Gin Martini - The original recipe for the Martini, one of the world's greatest co*cktails, calls for Gin. Even if James Bond said otherwise.
  • Dirty Martini -Either loved or hated, the Dirty Martini is one of co*cktail culture’s most polarizing drinks. Some believes the concept was born in the Waldorf Astoria.
  • Espresso Martini - This iconic modern classic was created in 1983 by London bartender Dick Bradsell at the Soho Brasserie for a guest — supposedly a model.
  • Apple Martini - The Apple Martini, also known as the “Appletini,” is a bright green drink that defines the neon style of the ‘90s.
  • Vesper - True co*cktail pros and Bond lovers alike also know about the Vesper, Ian Fleming's gin and vodka combining Martini riff.
  • L’Orange Martini - For those who love oranges, look no further. This drink takes all of the best parts of a Martini and adds plenty of citrus flair. Orange liqueur, orange bitters, and an orange twist result in a lively (and boozy) Martini.

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The Vodka Martini (2024)

FAQs

What are the 5 martini questions? ›

5 questions to ask for a martini:
  • vodka or gin?
  • Do you have a preference between premium and top shelf ?
  • straight up or over ice?
  • Olives or a twist? ( bleu cheese or pimento stuffed olives, lemon twist)
  • Sweet, Bone dry, dry, burnt, or dirty?

Why did the vodka martini shake not stirre? ›

With its clear colour and lack of a strong odor, the vodka martini allows Bond to keep a low profile while still enjoying a stiff drink. Q: Why does Bond prefer his martinis "shaken, not stirred"? A: Shaking aerates the drink, making it colder and slightly more dilute than stirring achieves.

What is a famous martini quote? ›

I like to have a martini, two at the very most –After three I'm under the table, After four, I'm under my host.” “They say a martini is like a woman's breast: one ain't enough and three is too many.” “I'd like a dry martini, Mr. Quoc.

How does James Bond order his martini? ›

"Shaken, not stirred" is how Ian Fleming's fictional British Secret Service agent James Bond prefers his martini co*cktail. The catchphrase first appears in the novel Diamonds Are Forever (1956), though Bond himself does not actually say it until Dr.

What is the two martini rule? ›

In certain martini venues, the “two martini rule” is observed. Once you have consumed two, you must move on to a soft drink, such as wine or a gin and tonic.

How do I ask for a vodka martini? ›

If you want a martini with gin, just order a “martini”. Any bar worth its liquor license will make it with gin. But if you'd prefer vodka, make sure you specify a “vodka martini”. And don't listen to martini purists – there's absolutely nothing wrong with ordering a vodka-based martini, if that's what you prefer.

Is vodka martini better shaken or stirred? ›

While some notable pop culture examples may have preferred theirs shaken, not stirred, we beg to differ. If you shake a martini co*cktail it can produce ice chips in an otherwise crystal-clear co*cktail, and it can add up to 10% more water. Because of that, we suggest you stir a martini co*cktail gently.

How to order a dirty martini? ›

The term 'dirty' means that olive brine, usually from a jar of co*cktail olives, has been added to the drink. An olive garnish is typically assumed, too. Most bars add equal parts vermouth and brine, though you can specify 'extra dirty' or 'filthy' if you prefer more brine.

What drink did James Bond drink? ›

But when it comes to Bond, he prefers a particular martini. In the 1953 book Casino Royale, Ian Fleming's Bond orders a Vesper Martini, a fictional drink named after a double agent. A Vesper Martini is unique as it combines both gin and vodka with Kina Lillet liqueur.

What actor is known for martinis? ›

Famous martini drinkers include Kingsley Amis, Sherwood Anderson, Robert Benchley, Humphrey Bogart, Luis Buñuel, George Burns, James Carville, Sir Winston Churchill, Noel Coward, W.C.

What did Dorothy Parker say about martini? ›

I like to have a martini, two at the very most --After. three I'm under the table, After four, I'm under my. host." Dorothy Parker.

Who is the most famous martini drinker? ›

Here are some of the most famous martini drinkers in history:
  • Winston Churchill.
  • Humphrey Bogart.
  • James Bond.
  • Marilyn Monroe.
  • Frank Sinatra.
  • Audrey Hepburn.
  • Cary Grant.
  • Sophia Loren.
May 25, 2023

Why was James Bond shaken not stirred? ›

A traditional martini is stirred rather than shaken, but Fleming's biographer Andrew Lycett said that the author preferred his martinis shaken because he believed it preserved the flavor of the drink. Want a real Bond-style martini?

What is the meaning of shaken but not stirred? ›

phrase [usually verb-link PHRASE] If you say that someone has been shaken but not stirred by an experience, you mean that they have been slightly disturbed or emotionally affected by it, but not deeply enough to change their behaviour or way of thinking.

Why does James Bond drink so much? ›

The excessive drinking was certainly a product of the era but also points to an egalitarian streak (High Life and bourbon) and hints at a troubling darkness to Bond. In other words, the booze helps soothe his demons.

What questions to ask when serving a martini? ›

Ask five questions:
  • Vodka or gin?
  • Up (martini glass) or on the rocks (rocks glass)?
  • How dry do you want it? -Not dry- 1 count dry vermouth. -Dry- 2-5 drops dry vermouth. - Extra dry- 1 drop dry vermouth. ...
  • What kind of 12-year old scotch do you want?
  • Garnish with oliver (1 or 3) or lemon twist?

What is the olive rule for martinis? ›

Two olives, she explained, is bad luck. A Martini must have either one or three olives. This was news to me. But a little research confirmed that this superstition did indeed exist.

What are martini terms? ›

Shaken: a martini that is chilled in a co*cktail shaker, then strained into a glass. Stirred: a martini that is chilled in a co*cktail glass with ice, then strained into a separate glass. On the rocks: a martini that is served in a rocks glass with ice cubes. With a twist: a martini served with a twist of lemon peel.

What is the formula for a martini? ›

Begin with a London dry-style gin. From there, add a little dry vermouth. The ratio is negotiable, but common formulas for a Dry Martini typically fall in the range of four-to-eight parts gin to one part vermouth. A dash of orange bitters ties the room together.

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