Vodka Martini

A straight ‘Martini’, sometimes called the classic martini, is always made with gin, if you want a Martini made with vodka, then what you want is most often called a ‘Vodka Martini’ and this is given here. The ‘dryness’ of a martini refers to the amount of ‘vermouth’ used in the drink, with a very dry martini having little or no Vermouth. Conversely, a wet martini has a significant amount of vermouth added. It is also recommended to stir, rather than shake, a Martini cocktail when making it.

Vodka Martini Cocktail Recipe

Vodka Martini’s are served as cold as they can be.

One measure is always equal to 25ml or 1 fld oz. A cocktail ‘jigger’ pours out one measure easily.

Ingredients: Makes 1 Drink

• 2 & ½ measures vodka
• 1 measure dry vermouth
• Lemon peel strip

Directions: Chill a stirring glass or a cocktail shaker and add some ice cubes. Add the vodka and vermouth and stir well (do not shake the Vodka Martini, unless this is what you want to achieve) . Strain and pour into a chilled cocktail glass (martini glass) and serve garnished with a twist of lemon peel (a strip of the peel is squeezed or twisted to get the zest oils onto the surface of the drink first).

You can optionally add in an olive rather than the twist of lemon peel. Tradition has it that in terms of garnish you should always put one or three (odd numbers) of olives etc. on a cocktail stick and never two (even numbers)

A Dry Vodka Martini: 2 & ½ measures of Vodka – ½ measure of dry vermouth – twist lemon peel. For a Very Dry Vodka Martini swirl the vermouth around the inside of the chilled cocktail glass first to coat the glass (without mixing it with the vodka) and then discard any excess – pour in the chilled vodka, then garnish.