How Do You Make a Martini with Gin
First, gin. London Dry is the classic choice. Think Beefeater, Tanqueray, or Plymouth.
Second, dry vermouth. This is the wine that whispers, not shouts. No sugary trash. Get a good French one like Noilly Prat.
Third, ice. Lots of it. Cold, clear cubes are your best friends. They do the hard work for you.
Fourth, a garnish. An olive or a lemon twist. This is your personality on a toothpick.
The Cold, Hard Science of the Stir
You do not shake a gin martini. That’s for fruity cocktails. Shaking bruises the gin and makes it cloudy.
You stir. Gently. For a solid 30 seconds. The ice melts just enough to bring the drink to life.
Fun fact: James Bond ordered them “shaken, not stirred” because he was a spy with terrible taste in mixology. Seriously. He was wrong.
Stirring keeps the silky texture. It’s like a whisper versus a shout. Classy wins.