Vodka Martini cocktail recipe

A Vodka Martini is one of the most elegant cocktails in the world, and the recipe is one any that every home mixologist should take the time to master. It comprises three key ingredients and is the perfect way to enjoy your favourite premium vodka. Just as James Bond had a very specific way of ordering his signature drink (shaken, not stirred), this Martini can be tweaked to suit your personal tastes by varying the garnish and ratios of vermouth to vodka.

Inspired by the gin-based Classic Martini, the Vodka Martini came into existence in the 1940s as vodka arrived in the US and grew in popularity. Bartenders began experimenting with recipes they already knew, swapping in vodka to replace other spirits. It first appeared in print in cocktail writer Crosby Gaige’s 1944 Standard Cocktail Guide with the moniker The Kangaroo. And although this appears to be a reference to the honorary mascot of Australia, there’s no explanation as to how the two might be related. By the 1950s, the Kangaroo nickname had been dropped and many cocktail drinkers came to prefer it for its clean, dry taste, without the aromatic botanicals that come with gin.

When it comes to Martinis, the most important thing is to use high-quality ingredients because there are so few of them – there is nowhere for them to hide. Reach for a top-shelf vodka and you’ll really notice a difference.

The other big tip is that a Martini should be as cold as possible. Chill the glass, stir the ingredients with ice for longer than you expect and serve it straight away.  

If you’re not a fan of vermouth, you can adjust the ratio in this recipe to include less and supplement it with more vodka. You can even try rinsing the glass with it by adding a tablespoon of vermouth to your chilled glass, swirling it around until it coats the surface, then dumping out the excess. This essentially seasons the glass with the vermouth, giving just a hint of the flavour with every sip. And on the topic of vermouth – make sure yours is fresh, given it is a fortified wine rather than a spirit. As a rule, vermouth is best consumed within three months of opening.

To do as James Bond does and enjoy your Vodka Martini shaken, not stirred, you can instead add your vodka, vermouth and ice to a cocktail shaker. Simply shake until chilled and then strain into a martini glass and garnish. A shaken Martini may be a little more diluted and will look cloudy with some bubbles, whereas a stirred drink will pour out crystal clear. 

You could also turn your Vodka Martini into a Dirty Martini by garnishing the cocktail with three olives and adding brine from the olive jar to your recipe. It’s all about personal preference.