Martini

 

The gin martini is the king of cocktails. A clear, classic, very strong cocktail. For such a simple cocktail (gin, vermouth), the martini isn’t afraid to court a little controversy. What’s the right amount of vermouth in a martini? Should you stir it or shake it? Can you make a martini with vodka? There’s room for debate. But where does this 5-star martini recipe come down? The vermouth gets a relatively light touch and the cocktail a vigorous shaking. Serve chilled in (you guessed it) a martini glass.

Directions
 
  1. Fill a metal shaker with cracked ice.
  2. Pour in the dry vermouth (we prefer Noilly Prat), stir briefly, and strain out (this may be discarded).
  3. Add 4 ounces of gin (we prefer Tanqueray, Bombay Sapphire, or Beefeater). You want it around 94-proof. Stir briskly for about 10 seconds.
  4. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass, and garnish with an olive or a lemon twist.