How to Make a Dry Martini

A classic martini consists of gin and vermouth, garnished with an olive. However, the vodka martini has gained in popularity and is supplanting gin as the spirit of choice for some martini drinkers. Whether or not you like your martini shaken or stirred, with gin or with vodka, how to make a martini can help quench your sophisticated thirst.

There is no definitive date regarding the genesis of the martini. Wherever it came from and whenever it was first concocted, the martini has become an American icon. A martini consists of three ingredients: gin, vermouth and a lemon twist. James Bond helped the martini grow in popularity ever since Sean Connery said "shaken, not stirred" in Goldfinger in 1964.http://www.martinimuse.com/martini_shaken_not_stirred.shtml

• There are several variations of the basic martini. The martini was traditionally a gin based drink, but a martini can also be made with vodka. Unless you are a big fan of vermouth, you will want to keep the gin/vermouth ratio to 5:1. Some people think that holding an empty bottle of vermouth close to the gin is more than enough vermouth. A martini must include vermouth no matter how minimal, otherwise, it's not a martini.

• If you prefer a dry martini, which means minimal vermouth, do the following.

1. Chill the martini glass by either placing it in the freezer or filling it up with ice cubes and cold water.
2. Fill the pint glass with the ice and vermouth.
3. Taking the bar spoon, stir the vermouth with the ice.
4. Take the martini glass out of the freezer or dump the water and ice out.
5. Strain the vermouth out of the pint glass and discard. You want just enough to coat the ice in the pint glass.
6. Pour the gin or vodka into the pint glass with the chilled vermouth.
7. Place the shaker over the pint glass and shake vigorously for no less than 5 minutes.
8. Strain and pour into the martini glass.
9. Take the lemon peel and rim the martini glass. Twist the lemon peel so that the oils from the rind congeal and place into the drink.

Feel free to add or substitute olives or onions for your garnish. If you add onions to your martini, you've just created a Gibson.

1. Chill the martini glass by either placing it in the freezer or filling it up with ice cubes and cold water.
2. Fill the pint glass with the ice and vermouth.
3. Taking the bar spoon, stir the vermouth with the ice.
4. Take the martini glass out of the freezer or dump the water and ice out.
5. Pour the gin or vodka into the pint glass with the chilled vermouth.
6. Place the shaker over the pint glass and shake vigorously for no less than 5 minutes.
7. Strain and pour into the martini glass.
8. Take the lemon peel and rim the martini glass. Twist the lemon peel so that the oils from the rind congeal and place into the drink.

• There are several types of gins, vodkas and vermouths out there, but because you aren't mixing the spirits with tonic, soda or juice, the quality is very important. Premium spirits will cost more, but this is one drink that you may want to splurge on in order to get the highest quality.