How to Make a VODKA Martini
When you reach for a vodka martini, you already know it's more than vodka and vermouth in a glass. The martini hits without apology: cold, precise, restrained. Few cocktails carry such instant swagger. Making a martini is about honoring tradition while keeping it sharp, clean, and worthy of its name.
By Devante CarrollSept. 18 2025, Published 5:07 p.m. ET
What You'll Need
For a vodka martini, these are the non-negotiables:
- 2.5 oz quality vodka
- 0.5 oz dry vermouth
- Ice
- Lemon peel or some olives
- A shaker or stir glass
- Bar spoon
- Fine strainer
- Martini glass, frozen
How to Get It Right
1. Chill Your Glass
Start by chilling the glass in the freezer for at least fifteen minutes. A proper martini demands to be served cold, so don't skip this.
2. Add Ice, Vodka, and Vermouth
Next, fill your shaker with ice. Pour in 2.5 oz of vodkа and 0.5 oz of dry vermouth. Here's where personal preferences come in. If you like it dry, go easy on the vermouth.
Purists talk of “throwing” the martini: pour the combined mix from a tumbler at shoulder height into another glass sitting below. The fall releases the martini’s aromatics and creates a silky-smooth sip.
3. Stir, Don’t Shake
Shaking, popularized by James Bond, works if you don't mind a slightly watered-down version. But keep in mind that this bruises the drink and clouds the finish.
Stirring is the preferred method. Stir slowly for 20 to 40 seconds. Your martini should be crystal, not cloudy.
4. Strain It
Pour it through a fine strainer.
5. Add a Personal Twist
Now pick your signal: twist a lemon peel over the rim for a bright, sharp edge, or drop in a few olives to bring salt and brine, pushing the vodka toward the savory side.
A true vodka martini doesn't tolerate shortcuts. If you cut corners, everything starts to slip, from the flavor to the finish.
Patience is part of the craft. When you take the time, you're rewarded with a timeless, iconic cocktail.
