dirty martini

11 Must-Try Martini Variations

must-try martini variations the three drinkers

When thinking about cocktails, none are more iconic than the Martini. A drink steeped in history and cinematic references, this classic cocktail has stood the test of time and is again, enjoying yet another moment in the limelight. The Martini stands the test of time owing to its ease of preparation (but difficult to master), availability, and of course, customisability.

Like many pre-prohibition era drinks, the Martini has a clouded history, with three possible stories of how the serve came to be. One theory suggests it was named after the brand of vermouth used in the drink, while another states that it was created in 1911 by an Italian immigrant bartender in New York named Martini di Arma di Taggia, who made a cocktail consisting of gin, vermouth, orange bitters, and olive to garnish.

What we do know, however, is that the Martini is an evolution of its predecessor, the Martinez, which was served in the early 1860s at the Occidental Hotel in San Francisco, where people would go to quench their thirst before taking a ferry to the town of Martinez in California.

Owing to the rich history of the drink and its symbolic opulence, the Martini has undergone many iterations. Bartenders have played with ratios, ingredients, and the style of serve over the years. To understand all the possible variations of this drink, we have broken them down into three categories; ratio variations, addition variations, and twists.

RATIO VARIATIONS

ratio variations must-try martini variations the three drinkers

DRY MARTINI

The original iteration of the Martini from 1911 is now known as the Dry Martini. The choice of gin or vodka, and the amount of vermouth in a Dry Martini will vary from bar to bar, and in some bars, even bartender to bartender. A generally accepted ratio for a dry martini sits at 6:1 spirit to vermouth, however, some purists take the advice of Winston Churchill, who states that a glance at the vermouth bottle is sufficient.

Ingredients:
60ml London Dry Gin OR Vodka
10ml Dry Vermouth
1 Dash Orange Bitters (2 if using a smaller dasher bottle)

Method:
Stir over ice. Strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a Lemon Twist OR Olive on a skewer OR both.

WET MARTINI

The Wet Martini, like the other ratio-based variations that follow in this article, does not have a clear time or place of origin, and most likely stems from multiple locations at multiple times. I believe these are “botched” ratios of the original Dry Martini (botched is in quotations as all of these variations are still very much quaffable).

The Wet Martini ratio lies between 2:1 and 3:1 spirit to vermouth, and is less dry owing to the larger pour of vermouth - hence the Wet Martini.

My perfect Wet Martini sits at a comfy 3:1 and is served with a lemon twist and a sidecar of mixed pickles and olives.

Ingredients:
60ml London Dry Gin OR Vodka
20ml Dry Vermouth
1 Dash Orange Bitters (2 if using a smaller dasher bottle)

Method:
Stir over ice. Strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a Lemon Twist OR Olive on a skewer OR both.

50/50 MARTINI

The 50/50 Martini does exactly what it says on the tin, spirit and vermouth in equal parts, stirred over ice and served as cold as possible. This is a great Martini for after dinner if the wine goes down a little too smooth, as the equal share of vermouth results in a considerably lower ABV for the cocktail.

Ingredients:
40ml London Dry Gin OR Vodka
20ml Dry Vermouth
1 Dash Orange Bitters (2 if using a smaller dasher bottle)

Method:
Stir over ice. Strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a Lemon Twist OR Olive on a skewer OR both.

REVERSE MARTINI

This one is one that you do not see in the wild very often, and if while sitting at the bar, you overhear someone order this, you can rest assured they do or have worked in bars at some point in their life. This Martini takes the original 6:1 ratio of the Dry Martini and flips it on its head, resulting in a low ABV, vermouth forward serve spiked with the splash of spirit. This Martini variation makes a great daytime sipper if you find yourself in for a longer session.

Ingredients:
10ml London Dry Gin OR Vodka
60ml Dry Vermouth
1 Dash Orange Bitters (2 if using a smaller dasher bottle)

Method:
Stir over ice. Strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a Lemon Twist OR Olive on a skewer OR both.

SLIGHT VARIATIONS

slight variations must-try martini variations the three drinkers

Alongside all the possible combinations of ratios, the Martini also has variations depending on added modifiers. Although each modifier is added in minuscule quantities, these minor modifications result in a brand-new drink unique enough to stand apart from the crowd, yet holding enough of the DNA of the original Martini to have an unmistakable resemblance.

DIRTY MARTINI

Quite possibly the variation responsible for the current resurgence of the Martini, this variation takes your Martini ratio of choice and adds a splash of olive brine to the mix. This results in a Martini with its flavours boosted by the salt within the olive brine, and a nice spicy kick from it too!

Ingredients:
60ml London Dry Gin OR Vodka
10ml Dry Vermouth
1 Dash Orange Bitters (2 if using a smaller dasher bottle)
5-10ml Olive Brine depending on your preference

Method:
Stir over ice. Strain into a martini glass. Garnish with an Olive on a skewer.

GIBSON MARTINI

The Gibson is an underrated Martini variation that unjustly gets less love than its dirty counterpart. However, pickled onions deserve just as much love as olives. Changing out the olive brine for pickled onion brine adds a bright acidity and slight sweetness to the drink making it extremely pleasing on the palette.

Ingredients:
60ml London Dry Gin OR Vodka
10ml Dry Vermouth
1 Dash Orange Bitters (2 if using a smaller dasher bottle)
5-10ml Pickled onion brine depending on your preference

Method:
Stir over ice. Strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a Pickled Onion on a skewer.

BURNT MARTINI

This unique Martini variation plays on the potently peated flavour profile of Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky. Rinsing the glass with peated Islay Single Malt before straining your Dry Martini gives the drink a distinct smoky aroma without overpowering the playdate of botanicals from the vermouth and spirit. A Martini to try if you also enjoy a dram!

Ingredients:
60ml London Dry Gin OR Vodka
10ml Dry Vermouth
1 Dash Orange Bitters (2 if using a smaller dasher bottle)
5ml Peated Islay Whisky

Method:
Stir over ice. Strain into a martini glass. Garnish with Flamed Orange Twist.

VESPER MARTINI

By far, the most famous variation of the Martini to exist, thanks to author Ian Fleming in his inaugural James Bond novel, Casino Royal, in 1953. This Martini is unique for a couple of reasons, firstly, it does not allow you the choice of gin or vodka, but rather uses both. Secondly, this is the only Martini any bartender will say is better shaken than stirred. Opting to shake rather than stir results in a colder, more diluted martini that allows the botanicals of the aromatised wine to sing.

Ingredients:
60ml London Dry Gin
20ml Vodka
5ml Quinquina
5ml Lillet Blanc

Method:
Shake over ice. Fine strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.

TWISTS ON THE CLASSIC

twists on the classic must-try martini variations the three drinkers

TUXEDO NO. 4

This bone-dry Martini variation is a personal favourite. Taking the Wet Martini ratio of 3:1 and using fino sherry in place of the usual dry vermouth, results in a crisper, fresher, and slightly more savoury martini. The traditional garnish in an orange twist but an olive would not be out of place in the glass either.

Ingredients:
60ml London Dry Gin
30ml Fino Sherry
1 Dash Orange Bitters (2 if using a smaller dasher bottle)

Method:
Stir over ice. Strain into a martini glass. Garnish with an Orange Zest

ALASKA

This honeyed, citrus-forward Martini uses one of my favourite bartending techniques - the regal stir! Expressing an orange zest into the mixing tin you build the drink in and stirring with the peel in the tin as well allows for an incredibly complex citrus profile with a well rounded bitterness as well. The combination of orange, absinthe, and Yellow Chartreuse is an excellent one and despite having never been there myself, this martini somehow makes me feel reminiscent of an Alaskan summer sunset.

Ingredients:
50ml London Dry Gin
15ml Yellow Chartreuse
2 Dashes Orange Bitters (4 if using a smaller dasher bottle)
1 Dash Absinthe (2 if using a smaller dasher bottle)
2 Drops 20% Saline Solution
Orange Zest Coin expressed and dumped into stirring tin

Method:
Stir over ice. Strain into a martini glass. Garnish with an Orange Zest.

OBITUARY

What would a New Orleans take on a classic be without a little bit of Absinthe? This simple twist removes the classic orange bitters for a sparing pour of the wormwood-based liqueur. This Martini variation was popularised in 1940s New Orleans at Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop and has been seeing a rise in popularity alongside its other martini compatriots.

Ingredients:
60ml London Dry Gin
10ml Dry Vermouth
3 Dashes Absinthe (6 if using a smaller dasher bottle)

Method:
Stir over ice. Strain into a martini glass. Garnish with an Olive on a Skewer.

By Fowwaz Ansari

fowwaz ansari the three drinkers drinklusive

The Top 10 Winter Vodka Cocktails

the top 10 winter vodka cocktails the three drinkers

Brown spirits tend to dominate winter cocktails, but as a neutral spirit, vodka is so adaptable and integrates into the winter flavours wonderfully. It’s punchy and serves as great mixology foundations to build delicious flavours on.

Homemade syrups show up in a few of the recipes below, so for a guide on how to make your own click here! It’s way easier than you might expect and can do amazing things for your cocktails.

Espresso Martini

espresso martini the top 10 winter vodka cocktails the three drinkers

All the polls show that this is the most popular winter cocktail in the UK, so we just had to include it. The seductive white foam of the meniscus, the rich flavour, the lusciously smooth mouthfeel – you’ve got no chance hibernating after a few of these.  

Ingredients
40ml Vodka
25ml Kahlúa coffee liqueur
25ml cooled espresso
½ tbsp simple syrup
Three coffee beans (garnish)

Method
Shake everything with ice and strain into a pre-chilled martini glass, before garnishing with a beautiful trio of coffee beans for that distinct look.

Hot ‘n’ Minty White Russian

the top 10 winter vodka cocktails the three drinkers

Taking inspiration from the Espresso Martini, this is a sweeter version to warm your cockles. Velvety, deliciously sweet white-hot chocolate is cooled by peppermint syrup, all built on a foundation of robust vodka and rich espresso. It’s viscous, lively, and surprisingly light with the peppermint. A uniquely indulgent concoction indeed.

Ingredients
30ml vodka
25ml espresso shot
80ml white hot chocolate
15ml peppermint syrup
Whipped cream (optional garnish)

Method
As long as your espresso and white-hot chocolate are hot, there’s no need to heat everything else up because some room temp vodka and peppermint syrup will bring the temperature together nicely. It’s just a case of combining everything gently and finishing with some whipped cream for that extra special touch.

Dirty Martini

the top 10 winter vodka cocktails the three drinkers

This is another winter favourite. Getting down and dirty with your Martini brings a fantastic savoury flavour, with a salty, olive-y profile. It’s about as far from the sweet, tropical cocktails of summer as it’s possible to get, but just as satisfying with it’s crisp, saltiness.

Ingredients
70ml vodka
25ml dry Vermouth
15ml pickle juice

Pickles (garnish)

Method
Stir all your ingredients in a mixing glass with ice, and strain into a chilled Martini glass before finishing off with the signature pickle garnish. It might feel strange if this is your first, but chances are it won’t be your last. 

Elderflower Cosmopolitan

the top 10 winter vodka cocktails the three drinkers

We were going to include the standard Cosmo, because that is a stalwart of winter cocktails, but this elderflower version feels a touch more wintery and aromatic. Cocktails are about experimentation after all! The delicious elderflower liqueur brings a mellower, more fragrant, and floral flavour than the usual cranberry. It feels bright and the first sip is a real life to

Ingredients
45ml vodka
20ml elderflower liqueur
20ml pineapple juice
Dash of lemon
Dash of rose water (optional)
Basil (garnish)

Method
All about the shaking here – get those arms pumping until your shaker feels cold to the touch, and strain over large ice cubes. Voila!

White Russian

the top 10 winter vodka cocktails the three drinkers

How could we not? Made iconic in The Big Lebowski, it’s a dreamy combination of vodka, coffee liqueur and cream, resulting in sweet, velvety and undeniably delicious flavours. It’s heavy, indulgent, and loved by everyone, and perfect for wintertime.

Ingredients
60ml vodka
30ml coffee liqueur (Kahlúa)
15ml heavy cream

Method
Mix everything together before pouring over ice in a small tumbler glass. You could sprinkle chocolate powder or add coffee beans, but keeping it bare like a snowcapped rooftop works great too.

Moscow Mule

the top 10 winter vodka cocktails the three drinkers

The refreshment of a Moscow Mule makes it a summer classic, but the dominant ginger notes absolutely resonate with winter too. It’s one of the original cocktails that made use of vodka when it wasn’t mainstream, which is strange considering it’s now the most popular cocktail spirit. It’s punchy, spicy, and gorgeously light with that fizz.

Ingredients
50ml vodka
80ml ginger beer
Juice of half a lime
Lime wedge (garnish)

Method
You don’t have to have the copper mug, but it really completes the Mule, and keeps it super cool. Just pour vodka and lime juice into the mug over ice, top up with ginger beer and finish with a lime wedge.

Cranberry and Pomegranate Punch

the top 10 winter vodka cocktails the three drinkers

This is one for those winter gatherings saving you the hassle of individual cocktails. It straddles tartness and sweetness perfectly, tasting super refreshing with fruity fizz. As with any punch, you can sort of throw anything in, but we think the balance below is harmonious.

Ingredients (jug)
300ml cranberry juice
350ml pomegranate juice
350ml sparkling wine
100ml vodka
70ml cranberry syrup
2tbsp grenadine
10 mint leaves
4 lime wedges
fresh cranberries and lime (garnish)

Method
Muddle the mint first and fill the bottom of the jug with ice. After that, slowly stir everything except the sparkling wine which you should add last to keep the bubbles going. Scattered in cranberries and lime for brightness, and you’re away.

Pear and Elderflower Collins

the top 10 winter vodka cocktails the three drinkers

A classic Tom Collins is an all-round cocktail, but this fruity makeover really takes it to the next level. Pear puree brings the freshness and pear liqueur brings the sweetness. It’s the lightest, fruitiest cocktail out there and vodka is perfect just to add some steel.

Ingredients (jug)
50ml vodka
15ml elderflower liqueur
2 tsp pear liqueur
25ml pear puree
20ml lemon juice
15m honey
Sparkling water to top up
Pear slice and cinnamon (garnish)

Method
Shake everything but the soda in a shaker with ice until it feels cold, and strain into a Collins glass over fresh ice. Once you’ve added the sparkling water, be gentle with the stirring to combine. Add a thin slice of pear and a dust of cinnamon for the finishing touches.

Rosemary Fizz

the top 10 winter vodka cocktails the three drinkers

Rosemary is one of the key wintery scents, but it’s difficult to integrate into a cocktail. Here, it just adds an aromatic, herbal undertone to a mellow but vibrant mix of lemon juice, sparkling water and vodka. It is unbelievably refreshing, and so simple to pull together

Ingredients (jug)
50ml vodka
20ml lemon juice
20ml rosemary syrup
Top up with sparkling water
Rosemary and lemon twist (garnish)

Method
Fill a highball glass with ice, strain vodka, rosemary syrup and freshly squeezed lemon juice over and top up with those bubbles. Rosemary sprig and lemon twist are a must.

 

For all the syrups featured, they can be bought, but they’re all simply sugar, water, and whichever flavour you want – so it saves so much money doing it yourself. Give it a go here! If you’re still adhering to Dry Jan or just don’t drink, then check out our Wintery Mocktails here.