Martini Recipe

Here is a basic martini recipe.  A true martini is made with gin and vermouth.  However, many people (myself included) prefer their martinis to be made with vodka.  You can also alter the amount of vermouth that is used.

Ingredients:

• 4 ounces Gin or Vodka
• 1 ounce Dry Vermouth
• Green Olives or Lemon Peel

Instructions:

1. Pour vermouth and gin or vodka into a mixing glass or shaker with ice.
2. Stir or shake well.
3. Strain into a martini glass.
4. Garnish with olives or lemon peel.

Notes:

Stirring is often preferred to shaking (despite what Bond orders) because shaking causes the drink to become cloudy.


(Photo by Kyle May)

Dirty Martini Recipe

A dirty martini is a martini with olive brine from a jar of olives added.

Ingredients:

• 4 ounces Gin or Vodka
• 1 ounce Dry Vermouth
• 1 ounce Olive Brine
• Green Olives

Instructions:

1. Pour vermouth, olive brine, and gin or vodka into a mixing glass or shaker with ice.
2. Stir or shake well.
3. Strain into a martini glass.
4. Garnish with olives.

(Photo by IBA)

Dirty Vodka Infusion Recipe

I'm not much of a fan of olives, but my girlfriend likes her martinis dirty.  So, I'm infusing this vodka for use in making vodka martinis.  Not only should this make the perfect vodka for a dirty martini, but I'll be able to reuse the olives and onions as garnishes.

Ingredients:

• 1 jar Whole Green Olives with Pimentos
• 1 jar Cocktail Onions
• 1 jar Fire Roasted Red Peppers
• Vodka (Skyy)

Instructions:

1. Layer the olives, red peppers, and onions in a glass jar.
2. Fill to cover with vodka.
3. Allow to infuse for 1 month before using.

Notes:
I began this infusion on 8/12/12.