Vodka Martini cocktail in a martini glass — Dry vermouth

Vodka Martini Cocktail Recipe

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History

The Vodka Martini is the vodka twin of the gin Martini — same dry vermouth, same up service, no juniper. Ian Fleming’s Bond ordered it shaken; most bartenders still stir so the drink stays cold, clear, and silky instead of cloudy and frothy. Shaking the same vodka and vermouth makes it colder and wetter; stirring keeps the texture dense. This spec is 2.5 oz vodka to 0.5 oz dry vermouth. Keep the vermouth measured and the glass ice-cold. If vodka and dry vermouth are already on the home bar, this is the stirred vodka drink to mix before you stock gin for a classic Martini. An olive or a lemon twist is the garnish; do not add juice.

Ingredients

vodka 2.5 oz

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dry vermouth 0.5 oz

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Missing a bottle? Stock your pantry to see what else you can mix.

How to make

Chill a martini glass or coupe in the freezer while you mix — a Vodka Martini is served ice-cold and up.
Add 2.5 oz vodka and 0.5 oz dry vermouth to a mixing glass packed with ice.
Stir 20 to 30 seconds until the mixing glass frosts.
Do not shake: Bond ordered it that way; shaking makes it colder, cloudier, and more watery, while stirring keeps it silky and clear.
Strain into the chilled glass.
Garnish with an olive or a lemon twist.

Glassware

Martini glass

The classic V-shape keeps chilled, no-ice drinks cold while the wide rim delivers aroma on every sip.

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Vodka Martini FAQ

Is a Vodka Martini the same as a gin Martini?

No. Same dry vermouth and up service, different spirit: 2.5 oz vodka and 0.5 oz dry vermouth, stirred and strained into a chilled martini glass. A gin Martini uses gin. Bond ordered the vodka version shaken; stirring keeps it silky and clear, while shaking makes the same bottles colder, cloudier, and more watery.

Should you stir or shake a Vodka Martini?

Stir. Vodka and dry vermouth do not need air. Stirring 20 to 30 seconds gives a cold, clear, silky drink. Shaking (the Bond order) makes it colder and more diluted, with a cloudy, frothy texture. Same bottles, different mouthfeel.

What ingredients are in a Vodka Martini?

A Vodka Martini is made with vodka and dry vermouth. Amounts and pantry matching are in the ingredients list on this page.

How do you make a Vodka Martini?

Chill a martini glass or coupe in the freezer while you mix — a Vodka Martini is served ice-cold and up. Add 2.5 oz vodka and 0.5 oz dry vermouth to a mixing glass packed with ice. Stir 20 to 30 seconds until the mixing glass frosts. Do not shake: Bond ordered it that way; shaking makes it colder, cloudier, and more watery, while stirring keeps it silky and clear. Strain into the chilled glass. Garnish with an olive or a lemon twist.