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)

Manhattan Recipe

Here is my recipe for a great Manhattan:

Ingredients:

• 3 ounces Rye Whiskey
• 1 ounce Sweet Vermouth
• 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
• 1 Maraschino Cherry

Instructions:

1. Pour the rye, vermouth, and bitters into a mixing glass or shaker with ice.
2. Stir or shake well.
3. Strain into a martini glass or over ice in an old fashioned glass.
4. Garnish with a cherry.

Notes:

I prefer mine on the rocks in an old fashioned glass.

Traditionally, a Manhattan is made with rye.  However, it can be made with Canadian whiskey or bourbon.  A Manhattan made with scotch is a Rob Roy.

(Photo by larryvencent)

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)