Italian immigrant bartender Martini di Arma di Taggia claimed to have invented this classic drink in NYC before World War I. His recipe contained dry gin and dry vermouth, equal parts, and orange bitters. The classic recipe today doesn’t call for equal parts however, it’s more like a 5:1 of gin to vermouth. A Martini is also one of the most versatile recipes and can be made with all kinds of different ratios. A straight Martini is the 5:1 ratio, but ask for it wet, you’ll get a stronger ratio of gin. Ask for it dry, you’ll get a higher ratio of vermouth. Dirty, adds a bar spoon olive brine. With a twist, adds a lemon twist as garnish rather than olives. A Martini is one of the most customizable classic recipes and it will likely vary from person to person and how they like theirs. But here is the classic recipe:
INGREDIENTS:
2 1/2 oz. Dry Gin
1/2 oz. Dry Vermouth
Orange Bitters
Garnish – olives on a cocktail pick, or lemon twist
METHOD:
Stir with ice. Strain into martini or Nick & Nora glass
The Gameologist 