Shaken or Stirred: Mastering the Classic Martini Cocktail

 

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ oz (75 ml) gin (or vodka, if preferred)
• ½ oz (15 ml) dry vermouth
• Ice cubes

Garnish:

• Lemon twist or green olive

Instructions:

1. Chill the glass: Place a martini glass in the freezer for a few minutes to chill.
2. Mix the ingredients: In a mixing glass, combine 2 ½ oz of gin and ½ oz of dry vermouth.
3. Stir or shake: Add ice and stir the mixture for about 20-30 seconds (if you prefer shaken, shake for about 10-15 seconds until well chilled).
4. Strain and pour: Strain the mixture into the chilled martini glass.
5. Garnish: Add a lemon twist for a bright citrus note or an olive for a savory touch, depending on your preference.

This classic Martini is crisp, sophisticated, and can be customized to your taste by adjusting the gin-to-vermouth ratio. For a Dry Martini, reduce the amount of vermouth; for a Wet Martini, increase it.