Very Cold, Very Dry

Two of my favorite subjects that I incessantly talk about are martinis and the Irish pub that’s only 500 feet from my house (IYKYK), hence why I started this blog!

Well, a few weeks ago, my friends suggested we go out for martinis, as they never had really experienced them before.

As they discovered and enjoyed a dirty martini for the first time, I realized most of my friends have never had one. They know what a martini is but have never ventured down that road.

Another friend asked where, and I quote, should a “Rooktini (their term for a first-timer martini drinker)” start if they want to enter the Martini-verse?

Well, as someone who has developed their love for this classic cocktail for over 12 years, I have many tips, tricks and guidelines to help!

1. Do you have the right equipment? Like everything, you need the right tools to make the best martini! I recommend heading to this link for our favorite martini tools.
2. Do you like gin or vodka?
   This seems like an obvious question, but one that needs to be asked. Since a martini consists of gin or vodka and vermouth, it’s an acquired taste, and you have to enjoy the liquor in order to enjoy one. To help decide, I recommend heading to my Favorite Gins (And A Vodka) list.
3. Time to head to the liquor store! They’re the best source of recommendations and can help you find the right gins for your taste buds.
4. Now it’s time to experiment! Try a small sip of each one, then make a very small martini. The great thing about a martini is you can make it as large or small as you like. Here’s a good beginner martini. Also, before you get to step #6 with garnishes, find the gin(s) you like and then garnish appropriately.
   
   The Sample Martini
   
   – Put a martini glass in the freezer
   – Measure out 30 ml of gin or vodka in a cocktail mixing glass on a scale (or use a measuring cup if you don’t have one as long as it has millileter measurements)
   – Add a little splash of vermouth. I hold the top of the bottle with my thumb and let the vermouth pour out slowly. Don’t use to much! Just a tiny splash.
   – Add enough ice to cover the gin and vermouth mixture (I recommend this vermouth). Use a cocktail stirrer to gently mix until you feel the outside of the shaker start to get cold
   – Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and enjoy!
   
5. As you taste them, what tantalizes your taste buds more? A London Dry gin? One that’s more herbaceous? Has a bit of a sweetness to it? There are so many possibilities! Vodka tends to be a bit more smooth and is more versatile. Our current favorite now is here.
6. Experiment with garnishes! The traditional ones we use are olives, bleu cheese stuffed olives, onions, lemon peel and a cucumber. Experiment pairing your garnish with the gin you’re trying. Typically, a London Dry goes with all of the above, whereas a more herbal/spicy brand suits a lemon peel best.
7. Ask the bartender! They have a wealth of knowledge and would be happy to help you find the right gin. They might even have something you’ve never heard of! Usually they’ll give you a tiny sample to try first.
8. Write down your favorite brands, what garnish you paired them with, and any adjustments you want to make. Was there not enough vermouth? Too much? Did the olive not go with that gin? Did you love that martini you had at the restaurant last week? The best way to learn is to take notes, so you can refer to them later and develop your perfect martini palette.
   

The main goal is to have fun! There are so many different brands of gin and vodka out there, you’ll surely find your favorite. What are your recommendations for finding your favorite martini? Sound off in the comments!