Shaken or Stirred: The Martini Argument
A martini is gin or vodka with dry vermouth. The famous line about shaking it runs against bartending practice, which is part of its charm.
A martini is gin or vodka stirred with dry vermouth and served very cold with a twist or an olive. Bartenders stir rather than shake clear spirits, because shaking aerates and clouds the drink and chips ice into it. The most famous martini order in fiction asks for the opposite, which tells you something about the character rather than about the drink.
- A cocktail of gin or vodka and dry vermouth. *A dry martini with a twist.*
- A glass of that shape. *Served in a martini glass.*
- Dirty martini — one with olive brine added. *A dirty martini, extra olives.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | martini | A cold martini. |
| Plural | martinis | Two martinis. |
| Modifier | dry | A very dry martini. |
| Related | vermouth | Dry vermouth. |
| Related | twist | A lemon twist. |
How it is used in a sentence
- A dry martini means less vermouth, not less gin.A common misunderstanding.
- Stir until the glass frosts.Standard technique for clear drinks.
- He ordered a vodka martini with a twist.Twist means a strip of citrus peel.
Martini terms
- Dry — less vermouth
- Wet — more vermouth
- Perfect — equal parts dry and sweet vermouth
- Dirty — with olive brine
- Gibson — garnished with a pickled onion instead of an olive
The origin is disputed. The most cited explanations are the Italian vermouth house Martini & Rossi and a nineteenth-century drink called the Martinez. No account has ever been proved.
Should a martini be shaken or stirred?
Bartenders stir drinks made only of spirits, to keep them clear and silky. Shaking aerates the drink and adds ice chips.
What does dry mean here?
Less vermouth. An extra dry martini is almost pure chilled gin, with only a trace of vermouth.