Dry Martini

June 19: National Dry Martini Day

James Bond was very specific about how he wants a mixologist to make his martini. The fictitious but famous spy, 007, in Casino Royale (movie and book), instructed:

 “A dry martini. One. In a deep champagne goblet. Three measures of Gordon’s, one of vodka, half a measure of Kina Lillet. Shake it very well until it’s ice-cold, then add a large thin slice of lemon peel.”

What he described is a recipe for the Vesper martini, named in memory of Vesper Lynd, the woman he loved who was killed by the bad guys in the franchise. But for our blog, we are posting a recipe for a classic dry martini, which is stirred, not shaken. Also, unlike Bond’s beverage, the classic dry martini includes vermouth instead of vodka. As an ingredient he mentioned, Kina Lillet no longer exists but mixologists recommend Lillet Blanc while other bartenders add a splash of bitters.

Whether shaken or stirred, and whatever variation of ingredients are mixed for a dry martini, enjoy this classic cocktail on National Dry Martini Day. Cheers!

Recipe

 Ingredients

  • Ice
  • 3-4 ounces dry gin
  • ½ – 1 ounce dry vermouth OR vodka
  • splash of Lillet Blanc OR orange or Angostura bitters (optional)
  • lemon peel twist OR olive

Directions

Fill a shaker with ice. Add the gin and vermouth OR vodka. Stir briskly OR shake. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a lemon peel twist OR olive.

 Notes