Table of Contents

• The Bone-Dry Martini
• The Dry Martini
• The Wet Martini
• The Dirty Martini
• The Filthy Martini
• Should you do gin or vodka martinis at events?
• Should you stir or shake your martini?
• Which martini cocktail is best for events?

 

1. The Bone-Dry Martini: A Purist’s Choice

For the discerning guest who appreciates the pure essence of gin, the Bone-Dry Martini is the ultimate choice.

This martini contains no vermouth, allowing the complexity of the gin to take center stage. It’s ideal for luxury venues that pride themselves on offering top-tier spirits.

How to Make It:

• Gin Selection: You have to choose a premium gin for this one! The lack of other ingredients really means there is nowhere to hide. We'd suggest a complex gin like Pink Pepper, which offers a rich blend of botanicals such as peppercorn, juniper, vanilla, and tonka bean. 

• Chill your glass in the freezer for at least 15 minutes before serving to ensure it's ice-cold. A chilled glass not only keeps the drink cold longer but also enhances the overall drinking experience.

• Measure a double shot (50ml) of gin into a mixing glass filled with fresh, dry ice. The quality of the ice matters—use large, dense cubes to minimize dilution.

• Stir with care for 30-40 seconds, keeping the spoon along the outside of the mixing glass to avoid chipping the ice. This technique ensures the gin is thoroughly chilled without over-diluting it.

• Strain and Garnish: Use a Julep or Hawthorne strainer to carefully pour the chilled gin into the frosted martini glass. Express the oils of a lemon peel over the top of the drink by twisting it above the glass, then drop the twist into the glass for a final touch of aroma and flavour.

When to serve:

If we're honest, we'd be unlikely to suggest this as an event serve unless we knew that the guest list was specifically made up of gin enthusiasts.

However, this martini is perfect for venues or events where guests are likely to appreciate the nuances of a high-quality gin. A must for gin-focused events or tastings, where the goal is to showcase the spirit's unique botanicals.

 

2. The Dry Martini: A Classic with a Twist

The Dry Martini is a classic choice that subtly incorporates vermouth to enhance the gin’s flavour.

It strikes a balance between tradition and modernity, making it a versatile option for various upscale settings.

• Prepare the Glass with Vermouth: Begin by pouring a small amount of dry vermouth into your chilled martini glass. Swirl the vermouth around to coat the inside of the glass, then discard the excess. This creates a subtle vermouth presence without overpowering the gin.

• Gin Selection: We usually suggest a gin with a strong citrus profile, like No. 3 Gin, which is known for its grapefruit and citrus botanicals. This will pair well with the vermouth and the garnish.

• Measure and Pour: Measure a double shot (about 50ml) of gin and pour it into a mixing glass filled with ice.

• Stir for Perfection: Stir the gin and ice for 30-45 seconds, allowing the drink to chill without becoming overly diluted. The goal is to achieve a silky texture while maintaining the gin's bold flavours.

• Strain and Garnish: Using a strainer, pour the gin into the vermouth-coated glass. Garnish with a thin twist of lemon peel or a single olive, depending on the guest's preference. The garnish should complement the gin's botanicals, enhancing the drink's aroma.

When to serve:

Now, this is more like it. This martini caters to guests who appreciate tradition with a subtle modern touch, making it a favourite at high-end venues.

An excellent choice for VIP formal dinners or black-tie events, where a classic cocktail will complement the atmosphere.

 

3. The Wet Martini: A Nod to the Past

The Wet Martini harks back to the origins of the martini, offering a smoother, slightly sweeter experience.

This version, with its 2:1 ratio of gin to vermouth, provides a more approachable option without sacrificing sophistication.

How to Make It:

• Combine 50ml Gin with 30ml dry vermouth. We suggest clients use a well-balanced gin like Martin Miller’s, which has a smooth, refined flavour that pairs well with vermouth.

• No Rinsing Needed: Unlike the Dry Martini, the Wet Martini includes the vermouth in the drink itself, so there's no need to rinse the glass with vermouth beforehand.

• Stir Gently: Add ice to the mixing glass and stir the gin and vermouth mixture for about 30-40 seconds. Aim for a slightly higher dilution than the Bone-Dry Martini, as the vermouth should blend seamlessly with the gin.

• Strain and Serve: Strain the mixture into a chilled martini glass using a fine strainer to ensure the drink is smooth and free of ice shards. Garnish with a lemon twist or an olive, depending on the guest’s preference.

When to serve:

We rarely see requests for this, despite it being the more historically accurate of the recipes.

It can be a good choice for cocktail hours at a luxury or boutique hotel as the more balanced, softer drink lends itself well to these surroundings.

 

4. The Dirty Martini: Savoury Sophistication

For guests who enjoy a savoury twist, the Dirty Martini adds olive brine to the mix, creating a drink that’s both bold and refreshing. It’s a great way to offer something different while still staying within the realm of the classic martini.

How to Make It:

• Add 50ml gin to your mixing glass with ice.

• Add approximately 15ml Olive Brine (half a shot). You can and should adjust the amount of brine according to the customer's taste.

• Stir and Combine: Stir the mixture for 30-40 seconds, allowing the olive brine to infuse with the spirit while chilling the drink.

• Strain and Garnish: Strain the mixture into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a single olive or multiple olives on a cocktail pick, either resting on the rim or dropped into the drink, depending on the guest's preference.

When to serve:

The Dirty Martini is perfect for adding a bit of intrigue and complexity to your cocktail offerings. It's perfect for events with a seafood focus, as the briny olive flavour complements this type of cuisine.

Having said that, it's not for everyone, especially if your clientele is more used to sweeter cocktails. 

Again, this is a martini variation perhaps best saved for smaller gatherings when you know the guests will appreciate the flavours. 

 

5. The Filthy Martini: Bold and Unforgettable

The Filthy Martini takes the Dirty Martini a step further, with muddled olives creating a cloudy, intensely flavourful drink.

This martini is for guests who aren’t afraid to embrace bold flavours and make a statement with their drink choice. It certainly leaves a lasting impression!

If your guests are expecting (and can handle) unique and bold experiences, then the Filthy Martini might be one to consider.

In our experience, however, this is a drink best served only at the request of an individual guest.

How to Make It:

• Muddle the Olives: Begin by placing two or three olives in the bottom of a mixing glass. Use a muddler to gently crush the olives, releasing their juice and brine into the glass. This step adds depth and a richer, saltier flavour to the martini.

• Add the Spirit: Measure two shots (about 50ml) of gin or vodka and pour it into the mixing glass with the muddled olives.

• Include Extra Brine: Add about half a shot (15ml) of additional olive brine to enhance the drink’s savoury flavour.  Adjust based on the desired level of saltiness.

• Stir and Chill: Stir the mixture with ice for 30-40 seconds, ensuring the flavours meld together while the drink is properly chilled.

• Double Strain: Use a fine mesh strainer in addition to your regular strainer to pour the mixture into a chilled martini glass. This will remove any large pieces of olive, leaving the drink smooth and cloudy.

• Garnish Generously: Garnish with extra olives—three or more on a cocktail pick—to emphasize the drink's bold, briny profile.

 

Should you do gin or vodka martinis at events?

Ah, how did we know you'd ask?!

It's a common question, which we've seen answered in different ways - often it comes down to the preference of the guests.

If your end client is asking for suggestions, going with the traditional gin is a good choice.

 

I hate to ask, but is a shaken or stirred martini best?

This can be a controversial one.

The simple answer is that stirred is the way to go with any all-spirit cocktail.

So, the classic James Bond line "shaken not stirred" can be controversial in the world of bartending.

However, there are times when shaking the martini can have its benefits. 

Simply put, shaking the drink makes it colder and more diluted.

If your aim was to really highlight the flavours of the spirits you're using, shaking your martini is probably not a good idea.

But, for events where guests want something ice cold and easy drinking, a shaken vodka martini would be just the ticket.

This could also apply to different stages of the event, where you start off with an easy to drink shaken vodka martini and then move onto a more complex gin martini. Or vice versa, the sky's the limit!

 

Our takeaway: which martini cocktail recipe is best for events?

The short answer is "it depends!"

Any good event bartender should know how to make each variation so that they can tend to the needs of each guest.

But if you need to choose which option to batch to serve to large number of people, the dry martini is probably your safest bet.

However, every event is unique, so we like to go a little deeper to find the perfect martini recipe for our clients.

First, we ask - who are the guests?

Are they gin connoisseurs who might prefer a bone-dry martini which highlights the flavours of the brand?

Then - what's the event?

If food is being served, then depending what the dishes are, you could pick a more briny variation like the Dirty or Filthy Martini to complement the flavours of the food.

Agreeing one or two main variations will make it easier for you to calculate the stock needed for the event.

Even if we pick a specific variation as the hero drink for the event, we will advise our clients to have stock onsite which means you can make all types of martini. This means you're covered if you have a VIP guest who likes their martini a certain way.

As you can tell, a large part of this is the personal preference of your client and their guests.

The key to a great martini (and indeed a great event) is ensuring that every detail is given careful consideration.

Don't skimp on the quality of your spirits and make your bar team has the experience to do this classic cocktail justice.

By perfecting these classic cocktails, you’ll ensure that every martini served is not just a drink, but an unforgettable experience.