a bartender pouring martinis into chilled glasses through a small wire mesh strainer.© GettyImages

Shaken, not stirred: here’s how to create the perfect martini

These three recipes would even make James Bond a little ‘celoso’


JUNE 19, 2020 2:52 PM EDT

There is something simple and elegant about the martini. From the name to the style of the glass it is served in, the martini just beckons you to it in a way that no other cocktail can. American journalist and cultural critic H. L. Mencken was quoted saying that the martini is “the only American invention as perfect as the sonnet.” There are three versions of the martini: the dry martini, the dirty martini and the perfect martini.

The dry martini is made using dry, white vermouth; while the dirty martini includes a splash of olive brine or olive juice (with the olive, too); and the perfect martini has equal amounts of sweet and dry vermouth. Nowadays, bartenders everywhere are creating innovative versions of the OG martini, like appletinis, espresso martinis and more. Below we’ve gathered four martini recipes that will impress even the toughest critic (we’re looking at you, James).

© Istock

Stanley Tucci’s ‘Stirred’ Martini

Ingredients:

- 2 oz Vodka

- .5 oz Vermouth

- Ice

- Small lemon rind

Preparations:

1 - Add ice to shaker and add vermouth and stir together. Take strain out liquid from shaker so that you are left with vermouth-lined ice cubes.

2 - Take vodka and add to ice in shaker and stir together. Let it sit for a minute.

3 - After minute has elapsed, stir again and then strain liquid into a martini glass.

4 - Take lemon rind and rub against edge of glass. Drop rind into drink.

© Belvedere

Classic Martini

Ingredients:

- 2 oz / 60ml Belvedere Vodka

- .25 oz / 7ml French Fortified Wine

Preparations:

1 - Combine ingredients in a mixing glass and stir over ice until very cold.

2 - Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a pink grapefruit twist.

© Belvedere

Diamond Rye Back Martini

Ingredients:

- 2 oz / 60 ml Belvedere Lake Bartężek

- 0.30 oz / 10 ml Yellow Chartreuse

- 0.30 oz / 10 ml Crème de Peche

Preparations:

1 - Stir all ingredients over cubed ice in mixing glass and strain into chilled glass.

© Belvedere

Espresso Martini

Ingredients:

- 60 ml / 2 oz Belvedere Vodka

- 20 ml / ¾ oz Coffee Liqueur

- 1 shot espresso

- Ice

Preparations:

1 - Combine all ingredients and shake vigorously.

2 - Strain into a martini glass. Garnish with three espresso beans.