Dry Martini Calories

To make a Dry Martini, stir gin and a small amount of dry vermouth with ice until cold, then strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with an olive or lemon peel, and serve without ice in the glass.

“Dry” refers to using relatively little vermouth, giving the drink less vermouth flavor than a wetter Martini. It does not mean the cocktail is alcohol-free or made without vermouth; dry vermouth is still part of the classic recipe.

A classic Dry Martini is made with gin. A version made with vodka is commonly called a vodka martini; gin brings botanical and juniper notes, while vodka gives the drink a more neutral flavor.

A Dirty Martini includes olive brine, which adds a salty, pronounced olive flavor. A Dry Martini has no brine in its standard recipe and is usually garnished with an olive or lemon peel instead.

Stirring is the classic method for a Dry Martini and usually keeps the drink clear while chilling it. Shaking is also possible, but it adds more air and tiny ice fragments, changing the cocktail’s texture and appearance.

A green cocktail olive is the traditional garnish for a Dry Martini; a twist of lemon peel is another common choice. The olive adds a savory note, while lemon peel gives the drink a fresh citrus aroma.

A Dry Martini is a spirit-forward cocktail, so it can taste and feel stronger than drinks diluted with juice or soda. Its strength varies with the gin-to-vermouth ratio and the amount of dilution from stirring; there is no single fixed strength for every recipe.

A Dry Martini uses less vermouth, while a wet Martini uses more, making the vermouth’s herbal flavor more noticeable. Both are traditionally made with gin, though either style can also be prepared with vodka.

Yes, a chilled glass helps keep a Dry Martini cold after it is strained without ice. Chill the glass in advance, then serve the cocktail promptly; warming in your hands or a warm room can quickly dull its crisp taste.