Martini Tips
Golden Rule: Your taste not skill determine the perfect Martini
Getting Started
So you’ve decided to dive into the world of Martini. Below are a few tips for getting the basics and to find out what type of Martinis you prefer, in general. Of course, half the fun in drinking martinis is trying new combinations and creating your own signature drink.
Take a trip to the liquor store and purchase a few sample bottles of different types of gin, vodka, vermouth and a few liqueurs in flavors you prefer to get an idea for the type of liquor you prefer. Come up with a list of a few foods you like. For instance if you like tart fruits, you will probably like cocktails with those same fruit flavors. A large bottle will be a waste if you take one drink and don’t like it. High-end, expensive brands are best selected when they are the primary ingredient in the drink, while you can use less expensive brands when mixing with several flavorful ingredients.
If you are going to start mixing your own martinis, you should get a nice stainless steel or glass shaker. Don’t use aluminum or plastic as they retain minute amounts of flavor each time a drink is prepared in it, which can build into an undesirable added flavor to your favorite Martini. Stainless steel and glass last long and absorb no flavor when mixing.
Purchase 2-3 Martini glasses to start with. Martini’s have a unique shape that gives you two places, near the rim and the stem, to hold your drink without warming it. Martini’s are best served and consumed chilled. It also allows your garnish to absorb the flavor of your martini as you sip, which leaves a great treat for you at the end of your Martini.
Speaking of garnish, most people have the most common garnishes in their fridge already: olives, limes, lemons, oranges, etc.
The most common spirit to vermouth ratio in a traditional vodka/gin martini is 5:1. This is merely a jumping off point. Start here and work your way backwards and forwards until you find the perfect ratio for you.
Unless you are making a dirty martini, rinse your olives before placing them in your martini. This prevents the olive brine from polluting your drink.
Perfecting the Martini
Clean Ice - Clean Tools
Clean Ice is of the utmost importance. Regular ice cubes in your freezer can absorb the odor and flavor of anything else in your freezer. A good idea is to use a tightly sealed container to store your ice when necessary.
SAFETY WARNING: Never scoop ice up with a glass and do not put glasses in ice to chill.
This might sound like common sense, but use CLEAN tools.
Martini’s often have only a few ingredients, of which you want the purest taste possible. Don’t measure your vodka in an unwashed shot glass you shot tequila out of last night.
Chill Out
Everything about a martini should be cold: the ice, the spirits, the glass, the shaker. The colder everything is in your martini, the less you rely on the dilution of the ice to chill your martini. Not to mention that your chilled martini will be chilled longer when using a chilled glass versus a room temperature glass.
Shaking
Shaking mixes your ingredients, chills your drink and dilutes the drink - shake gently for lots of chill but less dilution.
The more you shake the cloudier your martini will be. If you don’t mind your martini getting a little diluted shake your heart away.
Don’t let a drink sit in the shaker once it’s been shaken because the ice will continue to dilute the drink making it watered down and diminishing the taste and appearance of your drink
The heavier the ingredients (i.e. cream based) the more vigorously you should shake to ensure they are mixed thoroughly.
Good Spirits
When drinking martinis, especially the classic variety, be mindful of what type of spirits your purchase. With so few ingredients, any one of poor quality will immediately stand out. A cheap gin will give you a cheap martini. A $40 bottle of vodka or gin really does taste better than a $20 bottle. If you don’t believe me, refer to getting started and buy a few sample bottles to taste the difference.
Accessorize
The garnish elevates your martini from a standard drink to a glamorous accessory to be savored and envied by those around you. Use limes, lemons and oranges for garnishes such as twists and fruit slices. Maraschino cherries, pearl onions and stuffed green olives are traditional garnishes as well. Odd amounts are lucky, so use 1, 3, or 5 when garnishing.
Useful and Unique Tips:
Martini glasses are normally 8-10 ounces
A shot glass with marked measurements is a great alternative to a jigger
Add hard candies to a bottle of unflavored vodka to create your own, unique flavored vodka.
Know your tastes and have confidence in what you order. Don’t drink something you don’t like the taste of!
| Bottle Size | US Measure | Metric Measure |
|---|---|---|
| Miniature | 1.6 oz. | 50 ml |
| Half Pint | 8.0 oz. | 200 ml |
| Pint | 16.0 oz. | 500 ml |
| Fifth | 25.6 oz. | 750 ml |
| Quart | 32.0 oz. | 1 Liter |
| Half Gallon | 64.0 oz. | 1.75 Liter |
Bar Measurements
1 Dash = 1/32 oz.
1 Teaspoon = 1/8 oz.
1 Tablespoon = 3/8 oz.
1 Pony = 1 oz.
1 Jigger = 1.5 oz.
1 Wine Glass = 4 oz.
1 Split = 6 oz.
1 Cup = 8 oz.