When James Bond ordered his vodka martini “shaken, not stirred,” he didn’t just order a drink—he started a phenomenon. Bond turned the martini into a symbol of sophistication and mystery. The martini is the pinnacle of effortless, chicness, and absolutely timeless. It is also a playground for creativity. There’s a version of the martini for just about any mood—a dirty martini with olive brine, an espresso martini for coffee lovers, or a fruity appletini for sweetness. But no matter the twist, the martini remains a drink that exudes elegance and confidence.

Like many great inventions, the martini’s beginnings are shrouded in mystery and a little controversy. Some claim it was born as the “Martinez,” a 19th-century cocktail mixed for travelers heading to Martinez, California. This version included sweet vermouth, maraschino liqueur, and a dash of bitters—not quite the sharp, dry martini we know today but definitely a distant cousin.

Another theory ties the martini to the Italian vermouth brand Martini & Rossi, suggesting the cocktail evolved from a simple pairing of vermouth and gin. There’s even talk of it being inspired by the “Marguerite,” a cocktail from the 1800s that combined dry vermouth and gin. With so many competing stories, it’s clear that the martini’s origin is as complex as its flavor profile.

Choosing the Right Martini

Classic

The classic martini is made of gin and dry vermouth, stirred (or shaken) with ice and served straight up in a chilled glass. It can be garnished with a lemon twist or 2 or 3 olives for a more salty cocktail. This version is ideal for those who appreciate simplicity and the herbal, juniper-forward notes of gin.

Dirty/Filthy

These versions of the martini have been around for nearly a century, but has gained popularity in recent years. To make a martini “dirty” simply add olive brine. To make a martini “filthy” simple just add even more brine. The effect is a perfect unami-forward delicious drink. The salty and savory drink trend has become a marker for this generation of cocktail enthusiasts. This current trend is similar to the trend of the super sugary cocktails of the 90’s (you still have that bottle of Apple Pucker, don’t you).* Now that the pendulum has swung to the opposite taste side, the martini has served as a welcome mat of sorts to savory classics like Bloody Marys, the Sazerac, and the Salty Dog.

Vodka

Traditionally the martini is a gin-based drink, but vodka is a popular replacement. Honestly, whenever I think of a martini, I think vodka. Most of my martinis are vodka-based. Although I absolutely love gin, some find its boldness a bit much and opt for a vodka martini instead. It tends to be smoother, and vodka allows for other flavors you maybe incorporating to shine.

Gibson

Another one of my favorites is the Gibson martini. The variation is also quite simple. Technically, a Gibson is a classic martini (gin/vodka and dry vermouth) except instead if olive garnish, it’s garnished with cocktail onions. However, if you swap the olive brine from a Dirty/Filthy Martini to onion brine, this is also considered a Gibson. My favorite interpretation is my Blanc Gibson which uses blanc vermouth instead of dry and sweet pickled red onion brine. I tend to like my drinks on the sweet side, so I love that the Gibson is salty and onion-y to balance.

Espresso

For coffee lovers, the Espresso Martini is both delicious and eye-opening (literally). The Espresso Martini is definitely having a moment right now seeing as nearly every bar menu features one. It combines coffee liqueur, espresso, and vodka for a tasty treat that keeps the party going. Make it even tastier by adding chocolate liqueur or vanilla vodka for sweetness.

Sweet Fruit

If you prefer the sweeter side, there’s an endless supply of various sweet and fruit based martinis. Some of the classics— the Lemon Drop Martini, the Cosmopolitan, and the Apple Martini. However, these are just a few. Practically every fruit can be made into a martini and a host of bars and restaurants usually make their own martini variation (aka the “Pumptini” from SUR via Vanderpump Rules). Sweet martinis are fantastic; lots of booze and candy-like flavors make them easy to drink and pretty user-friendly.

Whether you’re raising a glass to tradition or experimenting with a modern twist, there’s a martini out there for everyone. Throw on a crisp white linen shirt, mix up your favorite variation, and enjoy.

Cheers!

*From Grub Street

The Martini