A classic vodka martini is a super simple cocktail. It only has two ingredients, but because it is so simple, there are a number of small variations that can really impact the final drink.
Personally, I love simple cocktails because I enjoy mixing up a drink at home sometimes, and a classic vodka martini is not only delicious, but it’s super easy to make. And, I almost always have the ingredients on hand.
Below, I’m sharing 3 ways to make a vodka martini at home!
Related: 12 Best Martini Recipes and 40 Fun Cocktails to Make at Home.
3 Ways to Make A Vodka Martini:
- With Vermouth and a large twist of lemon
- A Vermouth wash (after your glass is chilled, add 1 tablespoon of dry vermouth and swish it around the martini glass to coat it).
- Adding an olive (and olive juice) for a dirty martini.
Either way, the number one piece of advice I have for those who enjoy a good vodka martini at home is to keep your vodka in the freezer.
This keeps your spirit super cold and ready to make into a martini in a second’s notice. 😉
If you don’t have a lemon in the refrigerator, you could swap it with a lime, orange, or even grapefruit rind. It will change the final drink, but in a pinch, these are all still delicious options. Cheers! xo. Emma
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Ingredients
- 3 parts vodka
- 1 part vermouth
- 1 large lemon rind (for garnish)
- 1 teaspoon olive juice (optional)
- 1-2 green olives (optional)
- ice
Equipment
- 1 cocktail shaker or glass
Instructions
Variation #1
- In a cocktail shaker or glass filled with ice, add the vodka and vermouth. Stir to combine and then strain into your a glass.
- Squeeze the lemon rind over the top of the drink. Then add the rind to the drink.
Variation #2
- In a cocktail shaker or glass filled with ice, add the vodka, vermouth, and olive juice, Stir to combine and then strain into a chilled glass.Squeeze the lemon rind over the top of the drink. Then, add the rind and 1-2 olives to the drink.
Variation #3:
- Add the vermouth to your chilled martini glass and give it a couple of swirls so it coats the entire inside of the glass. Then, pour out the vermouth.
- Add the vodka to the glass and top with the olive and olive juice.
Such a classic (although I always use gin over vodka + it’s still perfect!)
Love a vodka martini
Never thought of it! These tips are very helpful. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much Love a beautiful mess????
I love all the different spins on martinis! A really good one is also gin (light botanical gin, like The Botanist) and honey with ginger. AKA: ‘The Bees Knees’ !
Cheers,
Kayla
The stirring or shaking with ice is very important because the key to a great martini is getting just enough ice cold water into the drink. I want to see ice crystals on the surface.
A purist would argue against the ice crystals in the finished drink. It dilutes the drink. I always stir my martinis. But all things considered either way works.
I cannot wait to try this! These past couple of months it’s been summer in South Africa and I’ve been loving my home-made cranberry gin cocktails!
Where are the martini glass from? I’ve been looking for decent martini glasses for a long time.
There are actually two different ones in this post, I bought them as sets at different times. I think one is from target and the other from amazon. TJ Maxx is a great place to check too if you have one near you.
A movie with Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick? Sounds like a good one, I love both of them! 😀
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
I love ’em extra dirty with lots of olive juice — and I prefer vodka for martinis, too! Such pretty photos, now I need to make a drink. 🙂