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5 Classic Martini Cocktail Recipes That Never Go Out of Style

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A classic martini cocktail recipe never goes out of style. From the sleek glass to that crisp first sip, it’s pure elegance in liquid form.

Whether you like it shaken, stirred, dirty, or with a twist, the martini is all about balance and simplicity.

As someone who’s a little obsessed with great cocktails, I’ve tried more versions than I can count. But these five classic martini cocktail recipes have truly stood the test of time. Once you try them, you’ll get why they’re still the gold standard.

 

1. The Classic Dry Martini

 

Crisp, clean, and effortlessly sophisticated—the gold standard of martinis.

Ingredients:

  • 2 ½ oz London dry gin
  • ½ oz dry vermouth
  • 1 dash orange bitters (optional)
  • Garnish: Lemon twist or olive

How to Make It:

  1. Fill a mixing glass with ice.
  2. Add gin, vermouth, and bitters (if using).
  3. Stir gently for about 30 seconds until well-chilled.
  4. Strain into a chilled martini glass.
  5. Express a lemon twist over the drink and drop it in, or garnish with an olive.

Taste & Look:

  • Taste: Sharp, herbal, with a smooth juniper-forward gin and a whisper of dry vermouth.

  • Look: Crystal-clear, served in a sleek martini glass with a delicate lemon twist or olive.

 

2. The Dirty Martini

 

Bold, briny, and unapologetically savory—a martini with attitude.

Ingredients:

  • 2 ½ oz gin or vodka
  • ½ oz dry vermouth
  • ½ oz olive brine
  • Garnish: 2-3 olives

How to Make It:

  1. Combine gin/vodka, vermouth, and olive brine in a mixing glass with ice.
  2. Stir well (about 20-30 seconds).
  3. Strain into a chilled martini glass.
  4. Garnish with olives on a pick.

Taste & Look:

  • Taste: Salty, umami-rich, with a bold olive flavor cutting through the spirit.

  • Look: Slightly cloudy from the brine, garnished with skewered olives.

 

3. The Vesper Martini

 

James Bond’s legendary order—strong, citrusy, and unforgettable.

Ingredients:

  • 3 oz gin
  • 1 oz vodka
  • ½ oz Lillet Blanc (or Cocchi Americano as a substitute)
  • Garnish: Lemon twist

How to Make It:

  1. Fill a shaker with ice.
  2. Add gin, vodka, and Lillet Blanc.
  3. Shake well (yes, Bond prefers it shaken!).
  4. Strain into a chilled martini glass.
  5. Express a lemon twist over the top and drop it in.

Taste & Look:

  • Taste: Intense, citrusy, with a smooth yet powerful finish.

  • Look: Crystal-clear, served in a sleek martini glass with a bright lemon twist.

 

4. The Perfect Martini

 

Half dry, half sweet—the ideal balance of flavors.

Ingredients:

  • 2 ½ oz gin
  • ½ oz dry vermouth
  • ½ oz sweet vermouth
  • Garnish: Lemon twist or olive

How to Make It:

  1. Fill a mixing glass with ice.
  2. Add gin, dry vermouth, and sweet vermouth.
  3. Stir until well-chilled.
  4. Strain into a chilled martini glass.
  5. Garnish as preferred.

Taste & Look:

  • Taste: Balanced, slightly herbal, with a touch of sweetness.

  • Look: Clear and pristine, garnished with a lemon twist or olive.

 

5. The Gibson Martini

 

The martini’s refined cousin—clean, crisp, and garnished with a pickled onion.

Ingredients:

  • 2 ½ oz gin
  • ½ oz dry vermouth
  • Garnish: Cocktail onion

How to Make It:

  1. Stir gin and vermouth with ice until well-chilled.
  2. Strain into a chilled martini glass.
  3. Garnish with a cocktail onion on a pick.

Taste & Look:

  • Taste: Clean, slightly tangy from the onion, with a smooth gin-forward profile.

  • Look: Crystal-clear with a single pearl onion floating inside.

 

Conclusion

No matter which classic martini cocktail recipe you choose, each one offers a unique experience—whether you crave the sharpness of a Dry Martini or the savory depth of a Dirty Martini. The beauty of these cocktails lies in their simplicity, letting high-quality ingredients shine.

So, grab your shaker, chill your glass, and toast to timeless elegance. Which of these classic martini cocktail recipes will you try first? Cheers!


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