How To Make a Classic Martini

Step 1

Chill the glass: Before you build your Martini, put your Martini glass in the freezer to chill.

Step 2

Build the drink: Place the gin or vodka and dry vermouth in a mixing glass.

Step 3

Stir and strain: Add cubed ice and stir for 30 seconds until the Martini is chilled. Strain the drink into your chilled Martini glass.

Step 4

Garnish the drink: Pare a lemon peel, and express (pinch) the back of the lemon peel over the martini. Rub the lemon peel around the rim of the glass and drop it into the glass. Alternatively, garnish with speared olives.

Step 5

Chill the glass: Before you build your Martini, put your Martini glass in the freezer to chill.

Step 6

Build the drink: Place the gin or vodka and dry vermouth in a cocktail shaker.

Step 7

Shake the drink: Add cubed ice and shake vigorously for 10 seconds.

Step 8

Strain the drink: If you prefer ice shards floating at the top of your Martini, then simply strain the drink into your chilled Martini glass. If you don't want the ice shards, then strain the drink through a fine-mesh strainer to catch the ice shards.

Step 9

Garnish the drink: Pare a lemon peel, and express (pinch) the back of the lemon peel over the Martini. Rub the lemon peel around the rim of the glass and drop it into the glass. Alternatively, garnish with speared olives.