The short answer: this martini recipe is 2½ ounces of gin (or vodka) and ½ ounce of dry vermouth, stirred with ice for 30 seconds and strained into a chilled glass. Finish it with a lemon twist or olives.
- Key numbers: 5-to-1 ratio · 30 seconds of stirring · glass chilled 10 minutes · about 2 standard drinks per full-size martini
- Top moves: use fresh, refrigerated vermouth, stir (don't shake), and chill everything, including the glass
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Prep time: 5 minCook time: 0 minTotal time: 5 minServings: 1 drink
Ratios in this martini recipe were checked November 3, 2026. The sections below cover ingredients, steps, ratios, variations, a party batch and responsible serving.
Martini ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gin or vodka | 2½ ounces | London dry gin is the classic |
| Dry vermouth | ½ ounce | Refrigerated after opening |
| Ice | 1 full mixing glass | Large, fresh cubes dilute evenly |
| Lemon twist or olives | 1 twist or 1 to 3 olives | Olives on a pick |
| Orange bitters (optional) | 1 dash | Adds a little depth |
Makes 1 drink. Serve it in a stemmed cocktail glass or a coupe.
How to make a martini, step by step
- Chill the glass. Put it in the freezer for 10 minutes, or fill it with ice water while you mix.
- Fill a mixing glass with ice. A pint glass works if you don't own a mixing glass.
- Add the vermouth, then the gin. Add a dash of bitters if you like it.
- Stir for about 30 seconds. Use a long spoon and stir smoothly until the outside of the glass feels very cold.
- Strain. Dump the ice water from the serving glass and strain the martini into it.
- Garnish. Twist a strip of lemon peel over the drink so the oils hit the surface, then drop it in. Or add olives on a pick.
Martini ratios: wet, classic and dry
| Style | Gin or vodka | Dry vermouth | How it tastes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wet | 2 ounces | 1 ounce | Softer, more herbal |
| 50/50 | 1½ ounces | 1½ ounces | Light and aromatic |
| Classic | 2½ ounces | ½ ounce | Balanced, crisp |
| Dry | 2¾ ounces | ¼ ounce | Mostly spirit |
| Extra dry | 3 ounces | a rinse | Spirit forward |
For a rinse, swirl a splash of vermouth in the chilled glass, pour it out, then strain in the stirred gin.
Martini variations
- Dirty martini: add ¼ to ½ ounce of olive brine and garnish with olives.
- Vodka martini: swap the gin for vodka and keep the 5-to-1 ratio.
- Gibson: garnish with a cocktail onion instead of olives.
- Perfect martini: split the vermouth into ¼ ounce dry and ¼ ounce sweet.
- Reverse martini: flip the ratio to 2 ounces vermouth and 1 ounce gin for a lower-alcohol drink.
- Espresso martini: a different drink made with vodka, coffee liqueur and espresso. See our espresso martini recipe.
Batching martinis for a party
Batching saves you from stirring drinks all night. Mix the spirit, vermouth and water ahead of time, since water stands in for the melted ice you would get from stirring.
| Servings | Gin or vodka | Dry vermouth | Cold water |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 10 ounces | 2 ounces | 3 ounces |
| 8 | 20 ounces | 4 ounces | 6 ounces |
| 12 | 30 ounces | 6 ounces | 9 ounces |
Pour the batch into a clean bottle and keep it in the freezer for at least 2 hours. Pour about 3½ ounces into each chilled glass and garnish. For more holiday drinks, see our Christmas cocktails, and for food that pairs with a martini, our Christmas appetizers. Looking for other classics? See our cocktail recipes with exact measurements.
Martini mistakes to avoid
- Old vermouth. Opened vermouth left on the shelf tastes stale. Keep it cold and use it within about a month.
- Shaking a clear drink. Shaking clouds a martini and waters it down fast.
- A warm glass. A martini has no ice in the glass, so a warm glass warms the drink.
- Too big a pour. A large martini warms up before you finish it. Smaller drinks stay cold.
Serve martinis responsibly
Martinis are only for guests 21 and older. They are strong, because the whole drink is spirit and fortified wine. CDC counts 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor as one standard drink, so a 2½-ounce martini is close to two. CDC's guidance on moderate drinking is 2 drinks or less in a day for men and 1 drink or less for women. Pour 2-ounce martinis at a party, set out water and food, offer a zero-proof drink, and make sure every guest has a safe ride home. For an adults-only party option alongside mixed drinks, plan Jello shots and label them clearly.
Zero-proof option: stir 3 ounces of chilled tonic water or a non-alcoholic botanical spirit with a splash of olive brine or a lemon twist, and serve it in the same chilled glass.
Plan your holiday bar
Write the gin, vermouth, olives and lemons on the same list as the party food so nothing gets missed.
- Holiday Season Bundle, $15.99 (regularly $25.94 for the six items bought separately). Holiday planning pages plus the Meal Planner & Grocery List.
- Meal Planner & Grocery List, $3.99. An aisle-sorted shopping list for the bar and the buffet.
- Family Recipe Binder, $6.99. Save your house martini ratio with your party recipes.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the classic martini recipe? A classic martini is 2½ ounces of gin and ½ ounce of dry vermouth, stirred with ice for about 30 seconds and strained into a chilled glass. Garnish it with a lemon twist or one or three olives.
What is the best ratio for a martini? A 5-to-1 ratio of gin to dry vermouth is the modern standard. A 2-to-1 ratio makes a softer, wetter martini, and a 10-to-1 ratio or a vermouth rinse makes an extra-dry one.
Should a martini be shaken or stirred? Stir a martini made only of spirits and vermouth. Stirring chills and dilutes it while keeping it clear and silky, while shaking adds tiny air bubbles and ice chips that cloud the drink.
What is the difference between a gin martini and a vodka martini? A gin martini tastes of juniper and botanicals, while a vodka martini is cleaner and more neutral. Use the same 5-to-1 ratio and stirring method for both.
How do you make a dirty martini? Add ¼ to ½ ounce of olive brine to a classic martini and garnish it with olives. Use the brine from a jar of good cocktail olives, since it carries most of the flavor.
What does dry mean in a martini? Dry means less vermouth. An extra-dry martini uses only a rinse of vermouth, and a wet martini uses more, such as a 2-to-1 or 3-to-1 ratio.
What is a Gibson? A Gibson is a classic martini garnished with a cocktail onion instead of an olive or lemon twist. The ratio and stirring method stay the same.
How long does vermouth last after opening? Vermouth is a fortified wine, so keep it in the refrigerator after opening and use it within about a month for the best flavor. Old, oxidized vermouth is the most common reason a homemade martini tastes flat.
How strong is a martini? A martini with 2½ ounces of 80-proof gin holds close to 2 standard drinks, because CDC counts 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor as one drink. Serve smaller 2-ounce pours at a party.
What glass do you serve a martini in? Serve a martini in a chilled stemmed cocktail glass or a coupe. Chill the glass in the freezer for 10 minutes or fill it with ice water while you stir.
How do I plan a martini bar for a holiday party? The Holiday Season Bundle ($15.99) from HomeBase Paper Co. includes the Meal Planner & Grocery List, so you can list the gin, vermouth, olives and garnishes with the rest of your party shopping. Plan about 1 bottle of gin for every 10 martinis.
Where can I save my favorite martini ratio? The Family Recipe Binder ($6.99) from HomeBase Paper Co. has fillable recipe cards, so you can save your house ratio, garnish and glass. It keeps your party drinks next to your party food.
Sources
- CDC: Standard drink sizes cdc.gov
- CDC: Moderate alcohol use cdc.gov