Method
Stir:
- Fill a mixing glass with ice. Add gin and dry vermouth.
- Stir with a bar spoon for 30 seconds. Long enough that the outside of the mixing glass is cold to the touch.
Strain and garnish:
- Strain into a chilled martini glass or coupe.
- Express a lemon twist over the glass and drop it in, OR drop in a single quality olive on a pick.
Nutrition
Notes
The dryness debate is bigger than the recipe. 5:1 (this version) is standard. 10:1 is very dry. 20:1 is comically dry. Some bartenders just rinse the glass with vermouth and pour gin on top. All defensible.
Vodka or gin: gin is the original and the more interesting drink. Vodka is what Bond ordered (shaken, which is incorrect) and what the 1990s drank. Both are valid; gin is canonical.
Olive or twist: olive for savoury, twist for clean. Pick one. Never both.