Stir and strain over one large cube
Negroni
Bitter orange, botanicals, and a perfectly equal build.
Stir with ice and strain into a chilled Martini glass
Dry Martini
A spare, spirit-forward classic that makes temperature and dilution visible.
Edited by CocktailSteps Editorial Team
- Time
- 4 minutes
- Level
- Intermediate
- Glass
- Martini glass
- Approx. ABV
- 30% · Spirit-forward
- Tradition
- American–French
- Profile
- Citrus · Herbal
Ingredient totals
Ingredients
Amounts below make one drink. The method, Quick Check, and guided Make use these one-glass amounts.
2 ozLondon dry ginRecommended brandBeefeater London Dry Gin
0.33 ozDry vermouthRecommended brandDolin Vermouth de Chambéry Dry
1 pieceLemon peelOptionalRecommended brandSunkist Lemon
Measured method · one drink
How to make Dry Martini
These steps make one glass. For more drinks, use the ingredient totals above to set up, then repeat this method for each serving.
- 01
Measure the Martini
2 oz gin · ⅓ oz dry vermouth
Add 2 oz London dry gin and ⅓ oz dry vermouth to an ice-filled mixing glass.
Measure the Martini visual check - 02
Stir until glassy
Stir · 20 sec
Stir smoothly for 20 seconds until the mixing glass is thoroughly cold.
Stir until glassy visual check - 03
Strain into the glass
Strain into a chilled Martini glass
Strain the Dry Martini into a chilled Martini glass, leaving the mixing ice behind.
Strain into the glass visual check - 04
Express the lemon
1 lemon peel
Twist 1 lemon peel over the surface, then rest it on the rim, if using.
Express the lemon visual check
Stir smoothly for 20 seconds until the mixing glass is thoroughly cold.
AI-assisted illustration of one step. Follow the measured method above; sound is optional.Key move
Keep the drink clear, cold, and free of ice shards
Technique note
Why this build works
This Dry Martini uses 2 ounces of London dry gin and ⅓ ounce of dry vermouth, a ratio that keeps gin's botanicals dominant while still giving the drink an aromatic, wine-based counterweight. Smooth stirring lowers the temperature and supplies dilution without the aeration of shaking; the useful check is a thoroughly cold mixture with the vermouth integrated into the gin. The Martini glass is chilled because the finished drink is served without ice and cannot cool further after straining. Expressing lemon over the surface adds volatile citrus oil without adding juice or sweetness, preserving the recipe's dry structure and its clean, glassy appearance.
Common failure points
- The Martini warms before the first few sips are finished.
- Chill the serving glass before mixing and handle it by the stem. Taste after stirring instead of relying on the timer alone.
- The drink is cloudy or flecked with ice.
- Stir smoothly and strain cleanly instead of shaking the build.
Measure or substitute
A green olive may replace the lemon peel as the garnish, but it adds a savory aroma rather than citrus. Keep the liquid ratio at 2 ounces gin to ⅓ ounce dry vermouth.
Recipe references
These references describe the drink or its ingredients. Our measured build and teaching notes are CocktailSteps adaptations; proportions and methods may differ from the reference.
Set the station
Tools
JiggerRecommended brandCocktail Kingdom Japanese Style Jigger
Mixing glassRecommended brandCocktail Kingdom YARAI Mixing Glass
Bar spoonRecommended brandCocktail Kingdom Teardrop Barspoon
Julep strainerRecommended brandCocktail Kingdom Premium Julep Strainer
Martini glassRecommended brandRIEDEL Vinum Martini Glass
Choose your bottle
Bottle buying guide
Best fit is our default. Spend less with Smart buy, or choose Upgrade when you want more character.
London dry gin
Dry vermouth
Know the pour
Spirit-forward
A cold gin-led drink with a small measure of vermouth and controlled stir dilution.
Contains alcohol. Serve only to adults of legal drinking age and enjoy responsibly.
