The Vodka Martini | Classic Cocktails

Martinis were originally made with gin. Vodka is an acceptable substitute.

To make the perfect martini there are 4 things you must get right. The first is the ingredients. Because all of the components of this cocktail are alcoholic, you'll want to make sure that you're using a vodka that you would also enjoy sipping on its own. This would not be the time for your budget-friendly brands. Which is why today I'm using Russian Standard Gold.

The second thing you'll want to get right is the temperature. The ideal temperature for sipping vodka is slightly chilled. There are some people who enjoy drinking cold vodka and keep it in the freezer. I personally prefer to work with room temperature vodka and chill it as part of the cocktail making process.

Although I don't like to freeze my vodka, I do like to chill my glasses. Which brings me to the third thing you want to get right. And that is the glassware. Which is in this case obviously the martini glass. A glass designed specifically for this drink.

And finally the fourth thing to get right is the garnishment -- either olives or lemon peels. While you may be tempted to skip this step, I highly recommend that you don't. They add subtleties to the flavor profile which is the hallmark of a martini.