Online School of Cocktailory 
For drinking #alonetogether
Section 102: The Martini
I’ve said “stir on ice then strain” a lot the last few weeks, but Bond always ordered his Martinis shaken. Why? Obviously we want the cocktail chilled, but depending on your drink you also want to add just a little water to get the flavors to blend. Shaking is good for some drinks and keeps them cold, but tends to leave a lot of ice chips in a Martini, watering down an already mildly flavored drink. So what do we do? We practice on a Vesper and cheers to 007.
Start by chilling your martini glass and a mixing glass by setting in the freezer for a few minutes. Cut one lemon twist while you wait. Then with your empty, chilled mixing glass (typically 18 oz.) add 1 1/2 oz. of a London Dry Gin, 3/4 oz. Vodka, & 1/2 oz. Lillet Blanc. Nearly fill the glass with 1″ ice cubes. Give it one good stir, and try a sip with a straw or tasting spoon. It won’t be cold enough yet, and the flavors won’t have had a chance to blend together. Continue stirring for about 20 seconds, and strain into your chilled martini glass. Express your lemon twist over the top and set it on the edge of the glass. Hold your cocktail by the stem (or the rim’s ok if it’s your own glass) so your hand doesn’t heat up the drink too quickly. And Enjoy!! Ahhh, refreshing.
Now that we know a Martini generally follows the 2oz. liquor to 1 oz. aromatized wine with a matching garnish pattern (with variations towards Wet or Dry), you’ll see recipes start to swap and replace again. Here are some extended family 
relatives of the Martini.
The grandfather of the martini:
-Manhattan-
Stir on ice 2 oz. Rye, 1 oz. Cocchi Vermouth di Torino (which is a sweet vermouth), & 2 dashes Angostura bitters. Strain into a chilled glass and garnish with 1 brandied cherry.
-Bamboo-
This is another very old recipe dating around the late 1800’s. Stir on ice 1 1/2 oz. Lustau Los Arcos amontillado sherry, 3/4 oz. blanc vermouth, 3/4 oz. dry vermouth, & 2 dashes orange bitters. Strain into a chilled glass, express a lemon twist over the drink, and place on the rim.
See what other martini recipes you’ve come across and share your favorites. Cheers!
Jet Tries 