Martini Recipe

Chill glass

Place the martini glass in the freezer for at least 10 minutes or fill it with ice water while you prepare the cocktail to ensure it is well chilled.

Prepare garnish

If using castelvetrano olives, thread 2 pitted olives onto a cocktail pick. If using a lemon twist instead, use a peeler or paring knife to cut a 1/2-inch wide strip of zest and express the oils over the glass.

Add ice to mixing glass

Fill the mixing glass or cocktail shaker about three-quarters full with fresh ice (approximately 1.5 cups) to properly chill and dilute the drink.

Measure and add spirits

Pour 2.5 oz Bombay Sapphire gin (or 2.5 oz Grey Goose vodka if you prefer a vodka martini) into the mixing glass. Add 0.5 oz dry vermouth. For a drier martini, reduce the vermouth to 0.25 oz; for a wetter martini, increase to 0.75–1 oz.

Stir (preferred) or shake

Stir the mixture gently with a bar spoon for about 20–30 seconds (roughly 15–20 full turns) to chill and lightly dilute. If you prefer a shaken martini, shake vigorously in a cocktail shaker for about 10–12 seconds; note shaking will produce more aeration and a cloudier appearance.

Strain into glass

Discard the ice or water from the chilled martini glass. Using a strainer, pour the chilled martini from the mixing glass into the martini glass.

Garnish and serve

Garnish with the two castelvetrano olives on the pick (or the lemon twist expressed and dropped into the glass). Serve immediately.