Saturday Spirits: Twists on the Martini Recipe

Last week’s post featured one of my all time favorite cocktails… a simple, classic martini! I also shared a bit of the terminology surrounding martinis. I could drink a classic martini almost every time I want a drink. However, every now and again I like to mix up my martini a bit with one of the following “twists” on tradition.

1. Martini with a Twist: This is actually pretty much considered a classic. But, because I typically prefer olives… this is mixing it up for me. When I want a different flavor than olives I’ll make the classic martini and add a lemon twist. Nearly any bar, any where will have the ingredients to make this cocktail. (A twist is just a piece of citrus zest that garnishes a cocktail.) How to Make a Lemon Twist: I love this Bon Appetit article that shows three ways to make a lemon twist.
2. Dirty Greek Martini: (pictured) One of my favorite greek restaurants serves their dirty martini subbing greek olives instead of the traditionally used pimento stuffed green olives. I like to do vodka in my greek martini! This cocktail might be best made at home since most bars aren’t going to carry greek olives. How To Make a Dirty Greek Martini: Pour 2 oz vodka, 3/4 oz dry vermouth, and 1/4 oz greek olive juice over ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake at least 45 seconds. Strain into a martini glass. Garnish with greek olives.
3. Gibson: A Gibson Martini is traditionally a Gin martini garnished with a pickled onion. This is a super traditional drink—most bars will be able to easily whip this up for you. How to Make a Gibson Martini: Pour 2 oz of gin and 3/4 oz dry vermouth over ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake for at least 45 seconds. Stain into a martini glass. Garnish with pickled pearl onions.
4. Dirty & Spicy Martini: A dangerously good sipper if you like it hot… I tried this martini at a bar that had their own pepper infused vodka. You can easily make it at home, but some bars may have the fixings for this as well. How to Make a Dirty & Spicy Martini: Pour 2 oz pepper infused vodka, 3/4 oz dry vermouth, and 1/4 oz olive juice over ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake and then strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a pepper and olive!
5. Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives with a Dry Martini: When I know a bar has freshly stuffed blue cheese olives I will ALWAYS order this drink. They have to be freshly stuffed though… I haven’t met a jarred blue cheese stuffed olive than I’ve liked yet. How to make Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives with a Dry Martini: For the martini I like to keep it very dry and clean. First you’ll want to prep your olives. I typically get large pimento stuffed green olives, pop out the pimento’s and stuff with blue cheese using my fingers. I then pour 1/4 oz vermouth into a chilled martini glass, swish around the glass and pour out. Then pour 3 oz of vodka over ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake well and pour into a martini glass. Garnish with your freshly stuffed Blue Cheese Olives!

There are a ton of variations of cocktails that are based off the basic martini recipe. Changing up garnishes and/or portions can easily switch up a drink.

Tell me…. do you like martinis? If so, what is your martini order? Comment below!

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