Martini Day: How to Make 5 Vodka Martinis 

When Is Martini Day?

Martini Day, also known as National Martini Day and World Martini Day, is celebrated every year on June 19. And if there’s one cocktail that deserves its own day of celebration, it’s this one.

Where Did the Martini Come From?

The exact birthplace of the Martini has been the subject of much speculation and debate.

One of the most famous theories suggests that the Martini was concocted in Martinez, California, for a thirsty miner en route from the gold country to San Francisco. The plausibility of this anecdote is strengthened by the early name of the drink—“Martinez.”

However, it wasn’t until the latter half of the 1880s that the cocktail was referred to as a Martini. Despite the apparent likelihood of this story, like all other theories about the Martini’s origins, it cannot be verified.

How Do You Like Your Martini?

Perhaps the better question to ask then is how do you like your Martini? Maybe it’s a Wet Martini with lemon zest. A Gibson Martini with a pickled onion. Or a Naked Martini – served chilled and straight up. Or maybe you’re yet to discover your favorite Martini.

On that note, below we’re going to highlight five stunning yet super simple-to-make Vodka Martinis.

How Do You Make a Vodka Martini?

To make a Vodka Martini, stir 45 ml Absolut Vodka and 5 ml dry vermouth with ice in a mixing glass until chilled, strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a lemon twist and a green olive.

Every version below starts from this one.

1. Fill a mixing glass with ice cubes.
2. Use a jigger to measure and pour in 45 ml Absolut Vodka.
3. Add 5 ml dry vermouth.
4. Stir gently with a bar spoon until chilled.
5. Strain into a chilled martini glass.
6. Garnish with a lemon twist and a green olive.

Rico shows how to make a classic Vodka Martini:

What Is a Naked Martini?

A Naked Martini is essentially Absolut Vodka stirred with ice cubes in a mixing glass. strained into a chilled martini glass and garnished with lemon zest or a green olive.

No vermouth, no hiding. An evening with close friends, or on the sofa with your significant other, is all it needs.

Ingredients:

• 45 ml Absolut Vodka
• Lemon Zest or Green Olive

What Is a Dry Martini?

A Dry Martini is a Naked Martini with a touch of vermouth, and not much more.

It’s chilled Absolut Vodka, stirred with ice cubes in a mixing glass, strained into a chilled martini glass and typically garnished with lemon zest.

Ingredients:

• 45 ml Absolut Vodka
• 5 ml Dry Vermouth
• Lemon Zest or Green Olive

What Is a Wet Martini?

Wet means more vermouth, and that’s the difference.

To make a Wet Martini, begin by combining chilled Absolut Vodka and a generous pour of vermouth in a mixing glass with ice cubes, stir until chilled and strain into a chilled martini glass.

Garnish with a green olive for a classic touch or opt for twisted lemon zest for an aromatic and zesty variation. Olive or lemon: both are correct.

Ingredients:

• 45 ml Absolut Vodka
• 8 – 10 ml Dry Vermouth
• Lemon Zest or Green Olive

What Is a Gibson Martini?

The Gibson Martini is chilled Absolut Vodka and vermouth, stirred and strained into a chilled martini glass, with a cocktail onion where the olive should be.

It’s crisp and dry, with a tangy, briny finish from the onion. Dimly lit room optional. Onion mandatory.

Ingredients:

• 45 ml Absolut Vodka
• 5 ml Dry Vermouth
• Cocktail Onion

How Do You Make a Dirty Martini?

To make a Dirty Martini, stir Absolut Vodka, dry vermouth and olive brine with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass.

When you order a Martini at a bar, a bartender might ask how dirty you want it. While you might think this is an intimate invitation, the bartender is simply asking how much olive brine you’d like. More brine, dirtier.

This recipe starts from a Vodka Martini, but a Naked, Dry or Wet Martini works as the base too. It’s your choice. Garnish with one olive or as many as you desire.

A Dirty Martini is a Vodka Martini with a splash of olive brine, garnished with a green olive.

Ingredients:

• 45 ml Absolut Vodka
• 5 ml Dry Vermouth
• 5 ml Olive Brine
• Green Olive

How to make it:

1. Chill a martini glass.
2. Fill a mixing glass with ice cubes.
3. Use a jigger to measure and pour in 45 ml Absolut Vodka.
4. Add 5 ml dry vermouth.
5. Add 5 ml olive brine.
6. Stir gently with a bar spoon until chilled.
7. Strain into the chilled martini glass.
8. Garnish with a green olive.

Shaken, stirred, wet, dry or dirty: raise a Martini glass to Martini Day. Happy Martini Day!