How to order a martini

Request this drink at the bar and you’ll be asked if you want your martini dry or wet. How ‘dry’ your martini is relates to the proportion of gin or vodka to vermouth. A dry martini is typically six parts gin to one part dry vermouth. Some bars will use even less vermouth – a tiny drop of it – so steer clear if you’d prefer a less boozy drink. A wet martini uses more vermouth – around a 3:1 ratio of spirit to vermouth but you can increase this to 2:1 or even 1:1 if you prefer. Alternatively, swap around the proportions and use more vermouth than spirit to make a reverse martini for a lower-ABV drink.

How do you make a martini?

There are several variations of the classic martini, and also many modern variations.

Dry martini: Ask for a dry martini and expect a drink with very little vermouth – conventionally in a 6:1 ratio or less with the gin.

Dirty martini: ‘Dirty’ will come with a little olive brine stirred into the gin and vermouth, while a Gibson is made with a silverskin onion and Plymouth gin.

Wet martini: Wet means there is a higher percentage of vermouth – typically in a 3:1 gin to vermouth ratio.

Which gin do you use to make a martini?

London dry gin is the classic gin used for a martini, but one of our favourites is Plymouth or Sipsmith London dry gin with Noilly Prat, served straight-up with a lemon twist. It’s simple and classic. Check out our favourite British gins.

Easy martini recipes

Espresso martini

We love espresso martinis! One of the coolest cocktails around, this punchy little number blends hot espresso and vodka for ultimate effect.

French martini

For a fruity finish on a classic martini, try this simple blend of raspberry liqueur, pineapple juice and vodka. Garnish with a single raspberry.

PX espresso martini

Swap traditional coffee liqueur for festive pedro ximénez sherry in this classic cocktail – it adds lovely notes of raisins.

Lychee martini

Fancy something different to your go-to martini? Have a go at making this light and tropical lychee cocktail from London bar Humble Chicken – it’s as silky as it is fruity and tart.

a pale pink liquid being poured into a martini glass from a copper cocktail shaker

Beetroot vodka martini

A riff on a dirty vodka martini – this instead uses the juice from a jar of pickled beetroots, which gives a lovely pink colour and sweet, earthy balance.

Passion fruit martini

Add both sharpness and sweetness to your next martini with fresh passion fruit and lime juice. Vanilla vodka, if you have it, works well in this recipe.

Dirty martini

This easy cocktail makes the perfect ready-made cocktail to have on-hand – keep chilled in the fridge for when you fancy a tipple.

Vesper martini

Gin, vodka and Lillet Blanc, a wine-based aperitif from France, are all you need to make this elegant vesper martini. Don't forget the twist of lemon.

Sake martini

Swap vermouth for sake in this Japanese-inspired take on the classic cocktail.

Vanilla martinis

It's easy to create your own cocktails for entertaining at home. Keep it simple with a vodka martini – this one gets an extra kick from Grand Marnier and is flavoured with vanilla.

Gingerbread espresso martini cocktail

This velvety smooth, gingerbread cocktail is the perfect warmer for chilly days – or as a cheeky, alcoholic alternative to pudding.

Cocktail glass of gingerbread and espresso martini cocktail, with sugar around the rim

Bacon and egg martini

This cocktail recipe from LCC Shoreditch uses fat-washed (bacon-infused) Jack Daniel's, first done in New York in the 90s for a Benton's Old Fashioned. Mix that with maple syrup and you've got breakfast in a glass.

Bitter orange and cardamom martinis

We've added marmalade and lemon juice to this cocktail recipe for an extra kick of flavour. Enjoy!

Vodka Martini with Bitter Orange and Cardamom

Elderflower martinis

Decorate this light and airy cocktail with white elderflowers if you have an elder bush near you. This recipe serves one, but can easily be multiplied if you've got friends coming over.

Chocolate martini

Dark chocolate is the star of this boozy cocktail recipe, made with just three ingredients plus ice.

Saffron martini

Cointreau and saffron gin give an orange hue to this punchy martini recipe. This spiced cocktail recipe comes from London's Soho restaurant, Gunpowder.

Port martini

This punchy port martini is garnished with preserved lemon, which adds exceptional depth of flavour to drinks and dishes.

A wine glass filled with white port against a grey background

Very dirty martini

This twist on a dirty martini incorporates flavours of Kalamata olives with roasted Florina pepper and thyme. This recipe comes from Crouch End restaurant, Kalimera.