53 Different Types of Martinis (Gulp, now this is a list)

Martini is one of the most popular mixed alcoholic beverages. It’s a cocktail made of gin and vermouth and garnished with an olive or a lemon twist. Its name comes from the city of Martinez, California around 1887 while the first mention of this drink appeared in The New and Improved Illustrated Bartending Manual in 1888.

The fictional character James Bond popularised Martini and his famous catch phrase “shaken not stirred.” British writer W Somerset Maugham, however, declared that the cocktail should not be shaken. Other famous Martini aficionados include Alfred Hitchcock, Winston Churchill, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, and Franklin Delano Roosevelt — all of whom are said to drink their favorite cocktail from classic Martini glasses.

Basic Types of Martinis

Dirty

Dirty martinis have a more “briny” taste, thanks to the fact that the bartenders add olive juice to the martini. It is not for everyone, but the people who love dirty martinis swear by them.

Dry, Wet, or Perfect

The word “wet” or “dry” refers to the amount of vermouth included in the drink. A dry martini has less vermouth than usual, while a wet martini has a little more. When you’re talking about a “perfect” martini, it simply means that the drink consists of equal parts of vermouth and gin.

Gibson

Gibson martinis are regular martinis, but instead of using a lemon peel or an olive as a garnish, the bartender adds a cocktail onion, which is usually a very tiny onion made specifically for all types of cocktails.

Gin or Vodka

Most martinis are made with gin and a touch of dry vermouth, usually in a five-to-one ratio. Dry vermouth is a fortified wine that is flavored with various herbs. Once the martini is made, you usually get a twist of lemon peel or an olive as a garnish. Many times, vodka is used instead of gin. Because gin is used most often, you should probably let the bartender know if you want one made with vodka instead.

Shaken or Stirred

“Shaken, not stirred” is not only preferred by Mr. James Bond, but by many other drinkers as well. When a martini is shaken, it is mixed with ice in a cocktail shaker, which usually produces a drink that is slightly more diluted, not to mention cloudier and icier. A stirred martini means that the cocktail is chilled without diluting it as much from the ice.

Vesper

A Vesper martini is one that is made of both vodka and gin, as well as Lillet Blanc and a twist of lemon.

Specific Types of Martinis

Absinthe Minded Martini

This martini requires a few steps to be successfully made, but it is worth it in the end. The ingredients include 3 oz. of gin, 1/2 oz. of orange liqueur, 1 orange peel, 1/2 oz. of absinthe, and some dry vermouth. First, take a cocktail glass and chill it. In another glass, mix the ice, gin, and absinthe, then stir. In your cocktail glass, take ½ oz. of dry vermouth, throwing away the excess. Strain the other ingredients into the cocktail glass, and topple it with ½ oz. of Grand Marnier. Garnish the drink with the orange peel.

Apple and Orange Martini

For each of these martinis, use 10 oz. of apple liqueur, 10 oz. of cranberry juice, and 12 oz. of vodka. Simply mix all of the ingredients in a large pitcher containing ice. To remove the ice and properly dilute the drink, stir a total of 50 times. Cover it and place it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve it. When you are ready, pour it into a martini glass that is chilled. Add garnishes of an apple slice and an orange peel, and you’re all set.

Bikini Martini

There are three ingredients to this drink, and you simply add equal parts of each one. You can start out with 1/2 oz. of each of the following: gin, cocoa liqueur, and peach schnapps. Place the ingredients in a cocktail shaker that is filled halfway with ice cubes, and, after you shake the mixture well, strain it into a chilled martini glass. Add an orange slice before serving.

Breakfast Martini

Mix 1 1/2 oz. of gin, 3/4 oz. of fresh lemon juice, 1 tsp. of light marmalade, and 3/4 oz. of orange liqueur. Shake all 4 of the ingredients with ice, and, when you’re ready to serve it, strain the cocktail into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a slice of toast. This is a very unique type of martini!

Bronx Martini

Mix the following ingredients in a martini shaker, add some ice, and stir. Then, serve in a chilled martini glass. The ingredients are 1 1/2 oz. of vodka, 1 splash of dry vermouth, 4 oz. of orange juice, 1 splash sweet vermouth, and 1/2 oz. of the sweet-and-sour mix.

Caribbean Martini

Take 1/2 oz. of vodka, ¾ oz. of coconut rum, and 1 splash of pineapple juice. Shake all ingredients well, and pour over ice in a cocktail glass.

Cosmopolitan Martini

Pour 1/2 oz. of orange liqueur, 1 oz. of vodka, the juice of 1/2 a lime, and 1 splash of cranberry juice into a mixing glass that has half filled with ice. Shake the mixture, then strain it into a chilled martini glasses.

Crantini Martini

Take a martini shaker, add some ice, and add the following ingredients: 1 1/2 oz. of Vodka, 1/2 oz. of vermouth, 1/2 oz. of triple sec, 4 oz. of cranberry juice, 1 cranberry, and some ice cubes. Shake the mixture, then pour it into a martini glass, and add a few cranberries as a garnish. For best results, soak the cranberries in some vodka first.

Dirty Bloody Martini

Ingredients include 1 oz. of dry vermouth, 1 tbsp. of olive juice, 2 oz. of vodka, 2 oz. of tomato juice, 2 olives, and 2 ice cubes. Place all of these ingredients, except the olives, into a shaker, and shake until the shaker is frosted. Pour the mixture into the cocktail glasses, add the olives, and you’re all ready to go.

Dirty Martini

There are numerous recipes for the dirty martini, so you can play around with them if you like. Take 2 oz. of gin, 2 tbsp. of olive juice, 1 tbsp. of dry vermouth, and 2 olives. Place a small amount of water and an ice cube into a cocktail glass, then freeze the glass for 2 to 3 minutes. Fill up a mixer with all of the above ingredients except the garnish, then, cover it and shake very hard 3 to 4 times. Finally, remove the cocktail glass from the freezer, and empty it. Strain all of the contents in the mixer into the cocktail glass, add 1 of the olives, and serve with your best and cockiest smile.

Emerald Martini

Take 1 1/2 oz. of gin, 1/8 oz. of Green Chartreuse®, 1/2 oz. of dry vermouth, and 1 lemon peel. Stir all ingredients in a shaker with cracked ice, then pour it into the cocktail glass. Twist a lemon zest over the cocktail, and float the rest of the peel on top of it.

French Martini

In a tall bar glass, add 1/4 oz. of fresh pineapple juice, 1 1/2 oz. of vodka, 1/4 oz. of raspberry liqueur, and 1 lemon peel. Add ice, shake, and then pour it into a martini glass and serve it.

Fruit Blast Martini Cocktail

Shake the following ingredients with ice: 1 oz. of orange rum, 1 oz. of tropical rum, 1 oz. of cranberry juice, and 1 1/2 oz. of pineapple juice. After they’re shaken, strain the mixture into a martini glass, and add a strawberry as a garnish.

Fuzzy Martini

Mix 2 1/2 oz. of vodka and 1 oz. of peach schnapps, and pour them over lots of ice. Stir, and then pour the mixture into chilled martini glasses. Finish by adding a garnish of a fresh peach slice.

Golf Martini

Shake 4 oz. of gin, 1 oz. of dry vermouth, and 4 dashes of bitters in a shaker with cracked ice, then pour it into a chilled martini glass and garnish with an olive.

Great Caesar’s Martini

Take 3 oz. of vodka and 1/2 oz. of dry vermouth, place them in a shaker with cracked ice, then strain the mixture into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with an olive stuffed with anchovy.

Hazelnut Martini

Combine 1 oz. of vodka and 1/2 oz. of hazelnut liqueur with ice in a mixing glass, then strain it into a chilled cocktail glass and serve.

Inverted Pyramid Martini

Shake together 1 1/4 oz. of citrus vodka, 1 1/4 oz. of currant vodka, and 1 splash of orange liqueur together in a cocktail shaker. Next, strain the mixture into a chilled martini glass, and use an orange twist as your garnish.

Knickerbocker Martini

Mix 2 dashes of orange bitters, 1 dash of orange liqueur, 1 oz. of French vermouth, and 2 oz. of gin together. Pour into a mixed glass that is filled with ice, and stir well. After straining it into a chilled martini glass, add a lemon peel twist and serve.

Lemon Splash Martini

Mix 1 1/2 jiggers of vodka, 1/2 oz. of triple sec, and 1/2 oz. of amaretto almond liqueur with 1/2 of a squeeze of a lemon wedge. Mix them in a shaker with ice. Next, squeeze the rest of the lemon juice into a martini glass, and pour the mixture into the glass. Finish by using a lemon twist as your garnish.

Martian Martini

Place 1 oz. of melon liqueur and 2 oz. of gin in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well, then strain into a martini glass.

Milky Way Martini

Combine 2 oz. of vanilla vodka, 2 oz. of chocolate liqueur, and 1 oz. of Irish cream. Mix them well. Serve the mixture in a cocktail glass with no ice in it.

Mint Martini

Take a mixing glass, and fill it halfway with ice cubes. Combine 2 oz. of gin and 1 oz. of white crème de menthe, then stir well. Strain the mixture into a cocktail glass, then garnish the drink with mint leaves.

Mocha Martini

Again, there are several variations of this recipe, and this one is out of this world. Mix 2 1/2 oz. of vodka, 1/2 oz. of coffee liqueur, and 1 oz. of crème de cacao in a shaker with ice. Strain into a chilled martini glass and serve.

Neapolitan Martini

Pour the following ingredients into a mixing glass with ice: 1 oz. of vanilla vodka, 1 oz. of orange vodka, 1 oz. of orange liqueur, and 1 splash of lime juice. Stir the mixture well, then strain it into a chilled cocktail glass. Finally, garnish the drink with an orange peel.

Nick and Nora Martini

This is a basic martini, but if you’ve ever enjoyed a Nick and Nora Charles movie, you might use this recipe to reminisce. Take a mixing glass and fill it with ice. Next, add 1 1/2 oz. of gin and 1/2 oz. of dry vermouth, then stir it well. Strain into a chilled martini glass, then garnish with an olive before serving.

Ooh La La Martini Cocktail

Take the 3 ingredients, and shake them in a mixing glass with ice. Then, strain and serve the drink in a chilled martini glass, garnished with a slice of orange. Here are the ingredients: 1 oz. of orange rum, 1 oz. of orange juice, and 1 splash of triple sec.

Pear Martini

Mix 2 parts of vodka with 1 part pear liqueur, pour them in a cocktail glass and serve with a slice of pear. Simple but tasty.

Pepe’s Flames of Love Martini

To make this unique martini, which originated in Beverly Hills, start with the following ingredients: 2 oz. of vodka, 2 to 3 drops of sherry, and 2 oranges. First, take a few drops of the sherry and swirl them in a chilled martini glass, then pour it back out of the glass. Take a strip of orange peel, and squeeze it into the glass. Next, flame the juices with a match, and discard the burnt peel. Fill a cocktail glass with ice cubes until it is chilled, then remove the ice. Add the vodka, flame another orange peel around the glass’s rim, and discard the burnt peel. Stir the mixture gently, and serve. Sexy and yummy!

Perfect Martini

Stir together 2 ½ oz. of gin, ½ oz. of dry vermouth, and ½ oz. Rosso vermouth, then strain them into a frosted cocktail glass. Garnish with a twist of lemon before serving.

Pomegranate Martini

Shake together the following ingredients with ice: 2 oz. of citrus vodka, 1/2 oz. of fresh lemon juice, 1/4 oz. of pomegranate juice, and 1 oz. of either simple syrup or Grand Marnier. After shaking well, strain the ingredients into a martini glass which has been chilled. If available, add a dash of rose water. Finally, garnish with a flamed orange peel and serve.

Red Vodkatini

Mix 2 oz. of vodka, 1 oz. of vermouth, and 1 dash of crème de cassis, and pour the mixture over a chilled martini glass that has crushed ice in it. Before serving, add a garnish of orange slice.

Rosy Martini

Stir together 2 oz. of citrus vodka, 1/2 oz. of orange liqueur, and 1/2 oz. of vermouth with ice. Then, strain the mixture into a chilled cocktail glass, and garnish with a flamed orange peel before serving.

Rum Martini

In a mixing glass filled halfway with ice cubes, mix 2 ½ oz. of light rum and 1 ½ tsp. of dry vermouth. Stir it well, then strain it into a cocktail glass. Garnish with either an olive or a lemon twist, then serve.

Saketini

Take a mixing glass and fill it halfway with ice cubes. Next, add 2 ½ oz. of gin and 1 ½ tsp. of sake rice wine to the glass, and stir well. Finally, strain the mixture into a cocktail glass and garnish with the olive.

Salt and Pepper Martini

Combine 1/8 oz. of vermouth and 2 oz. of pepper vodka in a mixing glass with ice. Stir the mixture, then strain it into a cocktail glass with salt on the rim. Serve and enjoy!

Scarlett Martini

Take 1 ½ oz. of peach liqueur, 1 ½ oz. of cranberry juice, and 1 lime wedge. Shake the ingredients together in a cocktail shaker with some cracked ice in it, then strain it into a cocktail glass and serve.

Smoked Martini

Pour 1 part of scotch-whiskey and 1 part of vodka into a pitcher, then squeeze the juice from one lemon slice into the pitcher. Mix with ice, then let stand for a few minutes so it can chill. When it’s properly chilled, pour the mixture into cocktail glasses with ice, and add lemon to taste.

Sour Apple Martini

Mix 2 oz. of citrus vodka, ½ oz. of orange liqueur, ½ oz. of sour apple pucker schnapps, and ¾ oz. of fresh lemon juice. Place them in a cocktail shaker, add ice, and shake well. Strain the mixture into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a slice of apple before serving.

South Beach Martini

Take 2 oz. of orange vodka, 2 oz. of citrus vodka, ¾ oz. orange liqueur, ¾ oz. of lime juice, and 1 twist of an orange peel. Mix the ingredients with ice and shake well, then strain the mixture into a very large martini glass. Garnish with an orange peel twist before serving.

Spicy Martini

Take 5 oz. of gin and 1 oz. of vermouth, and shake it in a cocktail shaker with ice. Pour the mixture into a large martini glass. Next, pour 15 drops of hot sauce into the finished product, and stir very lightly before serving.

Strawberry Martini

Chill a martini glass, then rub the rim of the glass with a cut strawberry. Dip the rim in a bowl of sugar until it is coated evenly. Pour 1 ½ to 2 oz. of gin, 1 tsp. dry vermouth, and 1 tsp. grenadine syrup into a mixing glass with plenty of ice, then stir well. Strain the mixture into the martini glass and drop a strawberry in it. Yummy!

Sunset Martini

Take 1 ½ oz. of orange rum and 3 oz. of lemonade, and place them into a shaker. Shake well with ice, then strain the mixture into a martini glass with sugar on the rim.

Tango Martini Cocktail

Shake together 2 oz. of orange rum, ½ oz. of triple sec, 1 splash of cranberry juice, ½ oz. of raspberry liqueur, and 1 oz. of pineapple juice in a shaker with ice. Strain the mixture into a chilled martini glass. Squeeze the juice from one orange into the bottom of the glass before adding the rest of the mixture, and don’t forget to garnish it with a twist of orange.

Tini Rita

With this drink, you start by chilling a martini glass with both ice and water. Next, fill a cocktail shaker with ice, 1 ¼ oz. of vodka, ½ oz. of orange liqueur, 1 splash of lime juice, and 1 splash of sweet-and-sour mix. Shake all ingredients briskly until the shaker is frosty. Empty the martini glass completely and pour the contents of the shaker into the glass, then use a lime wedge as a garnish.

Tropical Peach Martini

Shake together 2 oz. of coconut rum, 2 oz. of peach vodka, and 2 oz. of ginger ale with ice. Next, strain the mixture into a cocktail glass. Simple and classic.

Upside-Down Martini

In a mixing glass filled with ice, mix 2 ½ oz. of French vermouth and 1 oz. of gin. Once it’s stirred thoroughly, strain the mixture into a chilled cocktail glass, and, before serving, garnish it with a twist of lemon peel.

Vodka Martini

With several ice cubes in a shaker, shake together 1 ½ oz. of vodka and ¾ oz. of dry vermouth. Strain into a cocktail glass, and garnish with an olive before serving.

Watermelon Martini

Shake together the following ingredients with ice: ½ oz. of fresh lemon juice, 1 oz. of melon liqueur, 1 oz. of citrus vodka, and 1 ½ oz. of fresh watermelon juice. Once the ingredients are thoroughly shaken, strain the mixture into a chilled cocktail glass. Before serving, garnish with a sprig of mint.