How To Make A Gin Martini | Classic Cocktail Series

The Martini’s recipe is highly contested. Gin or Vodka? Shaken or Stirred? Olives, lemon twists, orange peels? How much vermouth should I use? In all honesty, a Martini is as unique as the person drinking it, so everyone should experiment to find their perfect Martini.
There are a few different stories about the exact origin of the martini, but one of the earliest books that included a martini recipe was The Hoffman House Bartender’s Guide published in 1905 and it is a very different recipe from the martini we know today.
Their recipe used gum syrup, bitters, curacao-or absinthe if requested, and equal parts vermouth and old tom gin. As soon as 1913 the Martini had evolved into 2 parts gin, 1 part vermouth and orange bitters, as listed in Straub’s Manual of Mixed Drinks. And of course the recipe has continued to evolve to this day.
Today, we’ll be making ours similar to that 1913 version, but I want to mention that you should experiment to find your perfect martini. Try different ratios, different bitters, different gins or vodkas, or try it dirty.
Also, use fresh vermouth!