10+ Martini Recipes to Shake Up Your Cocktail Game

Martinis are classic, right? People all over the world love them.

You can make a martini in so many ways, depending on your mood and what you’ve got in your kitchen. This guide’s here to help you find a recipe that fits your vibe.

Whether you’re a gin devotee or a vodka fan, dry or dirty, or just want to try something new, there’s a martini recipe for you. Let’s get into the basics so you can shake (or stir) up the perfect drink at home whenever you feel like it.

Ingredients

• Gin or vodka
• Dry vermouth
• Ice
• Lemon peel twist or olives (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Chill your glass in the freezer or fill it with ice water.
2. Fill a mixing glass with ice.
3. Pour 2 1/2 ounces of gin or vodka in.
4. Add 1/2 ounce of dry vermouth.
5. Stir gently for about 30 seconds.
6. Strain into the chilled glass.
7. Garnish with a lemon twist or olives, if you want.

1) Classic Gin Martini with Lemon Twist

The classic gin martini is all about simplicity and elegance. Start with a decent gin and just a splash of dry vermouth.

You want the gin to shine, so keep the vermouth light. Add a lemon twist for that bright aroma—honestly, it makes a difference.

Stir everything with ice to get it nice and cold. Strain it into a chilled glass, garnish with your lemon twist, and you’re set.

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 ounces gin
• 1/2 ounce dry vermouth
• Lemon peel twist

Cooking Instructions

1. Chill your martini glass.
2. Fill a mixing glass with ice.
3. Pour gin and vermouth over the ice.
4. Stir gently for about 30 seconds.
5. Strain into the chilled glass.
6. Garnish with a lemon peel twist.

Curious about the details? Check out the recipe from Great Eight Friends.

2) Vodka Martini with Olives

A vodka martini with olives is crisp and straightforward. Use cold vodka and a little dry vermouth.

The vermouth gives a subtle herbal note, but doesn’t steal the show. Olives aren’t just for looks—they bring a salty, savory kick that works surprisingly well.

Add as many olives as you want. Some people really go wild.

Chill your glass first. A cold glass keeps everything sharp and refreshing.

Ingredients

• 2 ½ oz vodka
• ½ oz dry vermouth
• 3 green olives
• Ice

Cooking Instructions

1. Chill your martini glass.
2. Fill a shaker halfway with ice.
3. Add vodka and dry vermouth.
4. Stir for 30 seconds until cold.
5. Strain into the chilled glass.
6. Garnish with olives.

Get more info at Allrecipes.

3) Dirty Martini with Olive Brine

Craving something salty and savory? The Dirty Martini’s your pick.

Olive brine gives this drink its cloudy look and tangy bite. Use gin or vodka, whichever you like.

Pour your spirit, vermouth, and olive brine into a shaker with ice. Shake or stir until frosty cold.

Strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with olives—don’t skip this part.

Adjust the olive brine to taste. Some folks like it dirtier than others.

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 ounces gin or vodka
• 1/2 ounce dry vermouth
• 1/4 to 1/2 ounce olive brine
• 1 to 3 olives for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Fill a shaker with ice.
2. Add gin or vodka, vermouth, and olive brine.
3. Shake or stir for 15-20 seconds.
4. Strain into a chilled martini glass.
5. Garnish with olives.

More details here: Dirty Martini Cocktail Recipe.

4) 50/50 Martini (Equal Gin and Vermouth)

Want a martini that’s not quite as stiff? Try the 50/50.

It’s equal parts gin and dry vermouth—super easy to remember. Toss in a dash of orange bitters if you’re feeling adventurous.

Just mix, stir, and strain. A lemon twist on top makes it pop.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 ounces gin
• 1 1/2 ounces dry vermouth
• 1 dash orange bitters (optional)
• Lemon twist for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Fill a mixing glass with ice.
2. Pour in the gin and dry vermouth.
3. Add a dash of orange bitters if you want.
4. Stir gently for about 20 seconds.
5. Strain into a chilled martini glass.
6. Garnish with a lemon twist.

Check the 50/50 Martini Cocktail Recipe if you want to dig deeper.

5) Martini with Orange Bitters

Adding orange bitters gives a martini a subtle citrus and spicy vibe. It’s old-school but makes the drink feel fresh.

Gin plays best with orange bitters, if you ask me. Garnish with a lemon twist or olive—whatever you’re feeling.

This tweak changes the drink just enough to keep things interesting.

Ingredients

• 2 oz gin
• ½ oz dry vermouth
• 2 dashes orange bitters
• Ice
• Lemon twist or olive for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Fill a shaker with ice.
2. Add gin, vermouth, and orange bitters.
3. Stir or shake until cold.
4. Strain into a chilled martini glass.
5. Garnish with a lemon twist or olive.

More on orange bitters in martinis here.

6) Perfect Martini with Sweet and Dry Vermouth

The Perfect Martini mixes sweet and dry vermouth for a smoother, rounder taste. It’s not as sharp as the classic.

Garnish with a lemon twist or olives, depending on your mood. The mix of vermouths brings just a hint of sweetness.

This one’s a solid pick if you want something easy and a little different.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces gin
• 1/2 ounce dry vermouth
• 1/2 ounce sweet vermouth
• Lemon twist or olives for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Chill your mixing glass and cocktail glass.
2. Add gin, dry vermouth, and sweet vermouth over ice.
3. Stir gently for about 30 seconds.
4. Strain into the chilled glass.
5. Garnish with a lemon twist or olives.

7) Gibson Martini with Pearl Onions

The Gibson Martini swaps the usual olive or lemon twist for pickled pearl onions. That little change makes a big difference—savory, a bit tangy, and honestly kind of fun.

Mix gin and dry vermouth, stir with ice, and strain into a chilled glass. Drop in a couple of those onions for a signature finish.

The onions add a tiny bit of crunch and a unique bite. If you’re bored of olives, give this a shot.

Ingredients

• 2 ½ ounces gin
• ½ ounce dry vermouth
• 2 pickled pearl onions
• Ice

Cooking Instructions

1. Fill a mixing glass with ice.
2. Add gin and dry vermouth.
3. Stir until chilled, about 30 seconds.
4. Strain into a chilled martini glass.
5. Garnish with pickled pearl onions.

8) Vesper Martini from James Bond

The Vesper Martini owes its fame to James Bond. It’s a little different—uses both gin and vodka.

Start with three parts gin, one part vodka. Add half a part Lillet Blanc instead of dry vermouth.

Shake it hard with ice until it’s really cold. Strain into a chilled glass and finish with a thin lemon peel.

It’s strong, smooth, and has a crisp citrus edge. Definitely a power move.

Ingredients

• 3 ounces gin
• 1 ounce vodka
• 1/2 ounce Lillet Blanc
• Lemon peel

Cooking Instructions

1. Fill a shaker halfway with ice.
2. Pour in gin, vodka, and Lillet Blanc.
3. Shake well until the outside feels cold.
4. Strain into a chilled glass.
5. Add a thin slice of lemon peel for garnish.

9) Espresso Martini for Coffee Lovers

If you’re into coffee, you really can’t go wrong with an Espresso Martini. It pulls together espresso, vodka, and coffee liqueur for a bold, smooth combo.

Shake everything up with ice until it’s nice and frothy. Strain that into a chilled martini glass.

Drop a few coffee beans on top if you’re feeling a little extra. It’s a cool touch, honestly.

This one feels a bit fancy but isn’t hard to make at all. I’d say it’s great after dinner or even at brunch, if you’re in the mood.

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces vodka
• 1/2 ounce coffee liqueur
• 1 ounce freshly brewed espresso (or cold brew concentrate)
• 1/2 ounce simple syrup (optional)
• Ice
• Coffee beans (for garnish)

Cooking Instructions:

1. Brew your espresso and let it cool for a minute or two.
2. Toss ice, vodka, coffee liqueur, espresso, and simple syrup into a cocktail shaker.
3. Shake hard for about 15 seconds, until everything’s super cold and a little foamy.
4. Strain into a chilled martini glass.
5. Top with a few coffee beans.

10) Chocolate Martini for Dessert

Chocolate martinis are basically dessert in a glass. You mix vodka with chocolate liqueur, and it comes out rich and smooth.

Sometimes I’ll add Irish cream or crème de cacao to make it even silkier. Pour it into a chilled glass, and you’re halfway to fancy.

If you want to go all out, try a chocolate rim or a little grated chocolate on top. It makes a difference.

Ingredients

• 1 ounce vodka
• 1 ounce chocolate liqueur
• 1 ounce Irish cream or crème de cacao
• Garnish: grated chocolate or chocolate rim

Cooking Instructions

1. Pop your martini glass in the fridge or freezer to chill it.
2. Grab a shaker and toss in vodka, chocolate liqueur, and Irish cream.
3. Add some ice.
4. Shake it up until everything feels nice and cold.
5. Strain the mix into your chilled glass.
6. Top it off with grated chocolate, or go wild and rim the glass with chocolate.

Need more inspiration? Check out the Chocolate Martini recipe at Preppy Kitchen.