The Vesper Martini
The cocktail best known for being ordered ‘shaken not stirred’. The Vesper, with its Lillet and quinine infusion, has a bit of sweetness that perfectly offsets the slightly bitter character of the dry gin. And the vodka adds an extra flavor that can only be described as “booziness” that is rather unique and enjoyable in a gin-based cocktail.
Ingredients
- 3 oz Gin
- 1 oz Vodka
- 1⁄2 oz Lillet blanc apériti
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients into a mixing glass with ice and stir (or, if preparing the Bond way, shake).
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
- Twist a slice of lemon peel over the drink, rub along the rim of the glass, and drop it in.
Dry Martini
Start with a good London-style gin. From there, add a little (not too much!) dry vermouth and dash of orange bitters. Stir, do not shake!
Ingredients
- 2 1⁄2 oz Gin
- 1⁄2 oz Dry vermouth
- 1 dash Orange bitters
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients into a mixing glass with ice and stir until very cold.
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
- Garnish with a lemon twist.
The Dirty Martini
The dirty martini has a pleasant saltiness that is fascinating against a gin and vermouth background. ‘Dirty’ simply refers to the addition of olive juice or brine. It’s a classic cocktail that is very easy to mix up and one of the most popular variations on the original gin martini.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 ounces gin (or vodka)
- 1/2 ounce dry vermouth
- 1/4–1/2 ounce olive juice (to taste)
- Garnish: 1 or 3 olives
Instructions
- In a mixing glass filled with ice, pour the gin, dry vermouth, and olive juice.
- Stir well.
- Stir, and strain into a chilled Martini glass.
- Garnish with one or three olives.