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Classic Gin Martini Recipe

The gin martini is a timeless cocktail that combines the bold flavor of gin with the dry, aromatic notes of vermouth, served chilled with a garnish of olives or a citrus twist.
This recipe is simple, elegant, and easily adaptable with various flavor variations.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Course Drinks
Cuisine American-Inspired, Global
Servings 1

Equipment

  • Cocktail shaker
  • Jigger or measuring tool
  • Martini glass
  • strainer

Ingredients
  

  • 2.5 ounces gin
  • 0.5 ounces dry vermouth
  • Garnish: olives or lemon twist

Variations:

Dirty Martini:

  • Add 0.5 ounces olive brine. Garnish: olives.

Wet Martini:

  • Use 2 ounces gin and 1 ounce vermouth. Garnish: lemon twist.

50/50 Martini:

  • Use 1.5 ounces gin and 1.5 ounces vermouth. Add 1 splash of orange bitters. Garnish: lemon or orange twist.

Gibson Martini:

  • Add a splash of cocktail onion juice; garnish with a cocktail onion.

Gin Blossom:

  • Use 1.5 ounces each of gin and vermouth,0.75 ounces apricot liqueur, and 2 splashes of orange bitters. Garnish: orange twist.

Ginger Martini:

  • Add 0.5 ounces ginger syrup. Garnish: lemon twist.

Lavender Martini:

  • Add a drop of lavender extract. Garnish: lemon twist.

Basil Martini:

  • Add 2–3 leaves of crushed fresh basil. Garnish: basil sprig and lemon twist.

Pomegranate Martini:

  • Add 1 ounce pomegranate juice. Garnish: lemon twist.

Apple Gin Martini:

  • Add 0.5 ounces apple liqueur. Garnish: apple slice.

Instructions
 

  • Combine gin, vermouth, and any additional ingredients for your chosen variation in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
  • Shake or stir the mixture for 30 seconds until thoroughly chilled.
  • Strain the liquid into a chilled martini glass.
  • Garnish with your chosen option (e.g., olives, cocktail onion, lemon twist, orange twist, etc.) and serve immediately.

Notes

  • Stirring the martini instead of shaking will result in a smoother texture and less aeration.
  • For the best flavor, always use high-quality gin and fresh garnishes.
  • Adjust the gin-to-vermouth ratio based on your personal preference—more vermouth creates a "wetter" martini.
Keyword Classic gin cocktail recipe, cocktail recipes, easy cocktail recipes, Gin martini variations, How to make a gin martini, Martini drink ideas
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