Vodka Martini

I can’t watch an episode of Mad Men without seeing a delicious looking Martini. They have ordered gin and vodka Martinis. But since I am also a James Bond fan, I am making a Vodka Martini – Shaken not Stirred. Why does 007 order it shaken, because then it comes out nicely chilled with a slight froth of ice on top. Basically it is amazing.

I serve my martinis in a 50’s style 6 oz martini glass with cocktail onions as I prefer the taste of them to olives.

The Perfect Martini

1 chilled martini glass
splash of dry vermouth
5 ounces of good vodka. The amount of vodka varies based on the size of your glass.
1 cocktail onion

The first step is to chill a martini glass. A quick way to do this if you have warm glasses is to fill them with ice and then top them with water. This will chill the glasses in a minute or so. Then just throw the water and ice out.

I chill my glasses in the refrigerator/freezer.

Next place a splash of dry vermouth into the martini glass. Swirl it around to coat the sides, then pour out any that remains.

What to do this Weekend in DC

Add the vermouth and then swirl and pour out the excess. Martini and Rossi makes a fine vermouth.

Next add the onion to the glass. I prefer to use a martini pick to allow for it to be removed an eaten at will. You can use an olive but I find that the cocktail onion provides a good flavor without overpowering the vodka.

Add the onion or olive, which ever you prefer

In a shaker full of ice, add the vodka. I prefer to use a high quality vodka for martinis as you do not want the harsh aftertaste of cheaper vodka.

I made mine with Belvedere Vodka - Smooth and Burn Free

Next shake the vodka and ice for at least a minute. This will allow the ice to break down and give you a nice foam of ice crystals. Then strain the vodka into the glass.