🍸 How to Make the Perfect Vodka Martini (Shaken or Stirred?) in 5 Easy Steps

🍸 How to Make the Perfect Vodka Martini (Shaken or Stirred?)

The vodka martini is the epitome of minimalist elegance. With just two core ingredients, it offers a blank canvas for purity, style, and sophistication. Whether you’re a home bartender experimenting for the first time or a seasoned cocktail lover refining your skills, learning how to make a vodka martini properly is a ritual worth mastering.

Despite its simplicity, the vodka martini has sparked debates that endure to this day. Should it be shaken or stirred? How much vermouth should you use? What’s the best garnish? This guide goes beyond the basics and gives you the knowledge—and confidence—to craft your ideal version of this iconic drink.

Exploring other iconic cocktails? Don’t miss our guide on how to drink a Pornstar Martini for a sweeter twist on the martini experience.

---

🧊 What Is a Vodka Martini?

A vodka martini is a cocktail traditionally made with vodka and dry vermouth, served chilled in a martini glass with a garnish—most commonly a lemon twist or a green olive. It’s a streamlined variation of the classic gin martini, but with vodka as the star ingredient, offering a cleaner, more neutral flavour.

The vodka martini rose to global fame in the mid-20th century, largely due to its association with James Bond, who famously ordered his martinis “shaken, not stirred.” However, bartenders and purists have long favoured stirring for texture and clarity.

---

🍸 The Classic Vodka Martini Recipe

This recipe serves one drink, but it can easily be scaled up.

Ingredients:

• 60ml high-quality vodka
• 10ml dry vermouth
• Ice cubes
• 1 lemon twist or green olive

Equipment:

• Cocktail shaker or mixing glass
• Bar spoon (if stirring)
• Fine strainer or Hawthorne strainer
• Chilled martini glass

Instructions:

1. Chill your glass: A cold martini glass keeps the drink crisp longer. Place it in the freezer or fill with ice water while prepping.
2. Add ingredients: In a shaker or mixing glass, pour in the vodka and dry vermouth.
3. Stir or shake: If stirring, do so gently for 30 seconds until well-chilled. If shaking, shake vigorously for 10 seconds.
4. Strain: Discard the ice in your martini glass. Strain the liquid into the chilled glass.
5. Garnish and serve: Add your chosen garnish—either an olive (or three) or a thin twist of lemon zest.

---

🤔 Shaken or Stirred?

This choice isn’t just about style—it affects the drink’s texture, temperature, and appearance.

Stirred

• The traditional method.
• Keeps the drink crystal clear.
• Produces less dilution, preserving the alcohol’s full strength.
• Best for those who want a smoother, silkier mouthfeel.

Shaken

• Cools the drink more quickly.
• Introduces small air bubbles and ice shards, creating a cloudy texture.
• Results in slightly more dilution.
• Favoured by those who want a colder, punchier sip.

Verdict: Stirring is classic, refined and smooth. Shaking adds flair, texture and chill. Try both to find your preference—Bond may have popularised the shaken martini, but you’re allowed your own rules.

---

🥃 Choosing the Right Vodka

Because vodka is the primary ingredient, quality matters enormously. A good vodka martini showcases the spirit’s smoothness and clarity, so avoid overly sweet or artificial-tasting vodkas.

Recommended Vodkas for Martinis:

• Belvedere: Elegant, peppery, slightly savoury—fantastic stirred.
• Grey Goose: Soft, citrusy, clean—very versatile.
• Absolut Elyx: Rich, buttery, luxurious—great in both dry and wet martinis.
• Chopin: Creamy and full-bodied—ideal for sipping martinis.
• Smirnoff No. 21: Crisp, neutral, and accessible for beginners.

Pro tip: Avoid flavoured vodkas unless you’re going for a twist. Stick to classic, neutral vodkas for the cleanest result.

---

🌿 Vermouth: How Much Is Too Much?

The ratio of vodka to vermouth is where the art of the martini truly begins.

• Dry Martini: 60ml vodka + 5ml vermouth
• Classic: 60ml vodka + 10ml vermouth
• Wet Martini: 60ml vodka + 20ml vermouth

You can even make an “in & out” martini, where the glass is rinsed with vermouth and then discarded before adding the vodka.

Important: Vermouth is a fortified wine—store it in the fridge after opening and use within 1–2 months for optimal flavour. Stale vermouth will ruin even the best vodka.

---

🫒 Garnish Game: Olive or Twist?

This is more than a visual detail—the garnish alters the entire aromatic profile of the drink.

• Green Olive: Adds brine, saltiness, and a soft umami note. Traditional and bold.
• Lemon Twist: Provides oils and zest, making the martini brighter and more aromatic.
• Cocktail Onion: Creates a Gibson martini—mildly sweet and herbal.

Modern ideas: Try a rosemary sprig, cucumber ribbon, or blue cheese–stuffed olive for a gourmet upgrade.

---

🧊 Ice: The Silent Ingredient

Don’t overlook the importance of ice. In martinis, ice controls temperature and dilution—two critical factors.

• Always use large, fresh cubes.
• Avoid freezer-burned or melting ice.
• Stirring slowly chills while adding minimal water.
• Shaking chills faster but introduces more air and dilution.

Rule: Never reuse old ice or pour directly over ice. The vodka martini is always served “up”—meaning chilled but without ice in the glass.

---

🧪 Variations Worth Trying

Once you’ve mastered the classic vodka martini, experiment with variations:

• Dirty Martini: Add 5–15ml olive brine for a savoury kick.
• Vesper Martini: Combine vodka, gin and Lillet Blanc—Bond’s original choice.
• Cucumber Martini: Add muddled cucumber for a fresh, summery note.
• Spicy Martini: Infuse vodka with chilli or jalapeño for a modern twist.

Each version can still be stirred or shaken to taste.

---

👨‍🍳 Pro Tips for a Bar-Quality Martini at Home

• Chill everything: Glass, spirits, tools. Temperature = texture.
• Measure carefully: Precision makes a difference, even with just two ingredients.
• Strain twice: Use a fine strainer if shaking to remove ice shards.
• Serve immediately: The drink degrades quickly as it warms.
• Taste and adjust: A martini is more personal than most cocktails. Don’t be afraid to customise.

❓ FAQs

🥂 What is the best vodka-to-vermouth ratio for a classic vodka martini?

The classic ratio is 60ml vodka to 10ml dry vermouth, which offers a smooth and balanced flavour. If you prefer a drier martini, reduce the vermouth to 5ml or simply rinse the glass with vermouth and discard the excess before pouring the vodka.

---

❄️ Should a vodka martini be shaken or stirred?

Traditionally, it’s stirred to maintain clarity and a silky texture. However, shaking makes it colder and slightly more diluted, with a cloudy appearance. Both methods are valid—it all depends on personal preference.

---

🍋 What garnish is best for a vodka martini?

The most common garnishes are a green olive (for savoury notes) or a lemon twist (for citrus aroma). You can also use cocktail onions for a Gibson martini or get creative with rosemary or stuffed olives.

---

🍸 How do I make a dirty vodka martini?

Add 5–15ml of olive brine to the mix of vodka and vermouth before shaking or stirring. Garnish with one or more olives. You can also make it “extra dirty” by adding more brine to intensify the savouriness.

---

🧊 Why does my vodka martini taste weak or watery?

This is often due to over-shaking or poor-quality ice, which leads to excess dilution. Always use fresh, solid ice cubes and stir or shake only as long as necessary to chill the drink.

---

🥃 Can I use flavoured vodka in a martini?

Yes, especially citrus-infused vodkas or pepper vodka for extra character. Just be sure to adjust your vermouth and garnish to complement the flavour—citrus vodka pairs well with a lemon twist, for example.

---

📦 Does vermouth go bad?

Yes. Vermouth is a fortified wine and should be stored in the fridge after opening. Use within 1–2 months to avoid oxidised, stale flavours that can ruin your martini.

---

🍴 What food pairs well with a vodka martini?

Vodka martinis pair wonderfully with salty and umami-rich snacks, such as olives, smoked salmon, caviar, oysters, cheese straws, or even parmesan crisps. They also work beautifully as a pre-dinner aperitif.

For another take on this classic, see this Vodka Martini Recipe on Liquor.com.