Martini Cocktail Recipe

The Martini cocktail is perhaps the most iconic and revered drink in mixology history, renowned for its elegant simplicity and crisp, spirit-forward profile. A combination of only two key ingredients, gin and vermouth, it was developed in the late 1800s. Even today, the drink remains a quintessential choice for any occasion that calls for an elegant beverage.

Who invented the Martini cocktail?

A drink so well-known, it has spawned a whole list of variations, and yet, its inventor remains unknown. Most experts agree the cocktail was a successor to the Martinez, a gin-and-vermouth drink developed in the 1860s or 70s. The Martini cocktail arrived a little later, but it wasn’t till the 1888 that a printed recipe arrived. It was in Harry Johnson's Bartender Manual, where it was described as a mix of Old Tom gin, sweet vermouth, and orange curaçao. 

As any Martini cocktail loyalist or expert bartender will tell you, there’s no curaçao in the drink now. The change happened over the years, with records showing that the first dry version was introduced in 1900 and the current recipe was solidified by bartender Harry Craddock in the 1930s Savoy Cocktail Book.

The Martini Cocktail: Things To Keep In Mind

The Martini cocktail has four primary variations: wet, dry, dirty, and perfect. Gibson and Vesper are two other well-known variations. With every variation, the important bit is getting the ratio and temperature right. The temperature, especially, is critical - a Martini cocktail must always be chilled and served because it balances the ingredients. Bartenders should also avoid warm glassware, as that can immediately lower the temperature of the drink and alter its taste. 

Another common mistake is shaking the drink instead of stirring, which can introduce excess air or overly dilute the drink. Lastly, as is the case with any minimal-ingredient cocktail, the quality of ingredients is extremely important. With limited ingredients, there is no room to hide the taste. You can use a premium gin like the Tanqueray No Ten or any other of your choice. The Tanqueray No Ten was specifically designed with this cocktail in mind, with its fresh citrus and softer juniper notes pairing exceptionally well with dry vermouth and a lemon twist.